She betrayed me in the worst possible way.
And I…
I fucking almost bought into her games, whatever I thought was happening between us. I almost let myself think there was more to us than just this sham marriage.
But what really has my dick in a twist isn’t that she sold me out to her lying sack of shit father.
It’s that she chose Roman over me.
And when I find her, because I fucking will, I’m going to make sure she suffers for it.
23
LIVVIE
Roman sets his coffee mug on the table in his hotel suite, the movement flexing the muscles beneath his T-shirt.
“You shouldn’t wander around the city alone,” he says. “Kingston should know better. Some fucking husband he’s turned out to be. If you were mine?—”
“I’m not, though, am I?” I perch on the edge of the velvet armchair, arms folded, knees tight together. “My da saw to that ages ago and now I'm married into a New York mafia syndicate, Roman. My fate is sealed and you need to stop popping up unannounced, or he’ll think I’m up to something.”
“I was keeping an eye on you,” he corrects. “Your da believes Kingston is responsible for you now.”
A flicker of emotion passes across his face, a wash of something old and aching. “You know I never stopped caring, Liv.”
I shoot to my feet. “Don’t. I left Ireland for a fresh start,Roman. It’s not like we had a future together. We both knew that at the time.”
“You think Viacava gives a shit about you?” he bites out, leaning closer. “He’ll bury you to protect himself.”
“You don’t know him like I do.”
Roman grunts under his breath. “What, you spend a couple nights under him and suddenly you think he’s worth your devotion? Please, tell me you don’t actually think the guy gives a fuck about you, Liv?”
I walk past him, refusing to let him see the way my skin reacts at the mention of Kingston. “Look, this was a bad idea. I need to go home or my husband will have a search party looking for me.”
Roman exhales and drags a hand down his face. “He doesn’t love you.”
“This has nothing to do with feelings,” I snap. “Anyway, you didn’t love me. We just enjoyed the rush because it was a risk.”
Silence settles between us for a beat before he shrugs. “I could do a better job than Kingston.”
It breaks something in me. Or maybe it sets fire to what’s already burning.
“Is that what all this was about? You trying to steal Kingston's wife and start something.” I shake my head. “I thought you actually wanted to help me. Instead, you’re just trying to start a war because you hate the Viacavas. My da has you in his pocket, Roman. And guess what… I go by the name Mrs. Viacava these days.”
I waggle my wedding finger in the air. “I don’t need your help, and my da can go screw himself for dropping meinto this shit over my head.”
Roman stands, his posture tense and his eyes dark. “Kingston is using you. Don't fall for his bullshit.”
I lift my chin. “Yeah, he probably is, but at least the sex is fucking amazing.”
The words hang in the air like a slap.
He lunges at me and grabs my wrist, making me flinch. “You think you’re in control, Liv? You’re not. You’re just a fucking little puppet.”
I yank my arm free. “If I am, it's because of my da… The man who pays your salary and gives you orders. So back the fuck off.”
I don’t wait for his reaction, already storming to the door.
