“I have to go.” I lurched forward but a quick escape wasn’t in the cards for me.
“I’m glad I caught you.” He snaked his arm around my waist and nudged me into the alleyway that was steps from my building.
“Where are we going?”
“I have a message for Milo.”
“You’re going to have to give it to him yourself.” I wiggled away from him, but he grabbed my arm and yanked me deeper into the dark space, out of sight of any witnesses.
“You’re in no position to negotiate.” He pushed me against the wall and blocked me with his intimidating frame.
“It’s just that I…”Shut up and be smart. Don’t offer any unnecessary information.
“I don’t want any problems between us.”
You could have fooled me.
“All you have to do is tell your boyfriend that he needs to convince his father to attend a meeting between the families on the east coast. It’s going to be beneficial for both of you.”
“I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about.”
“Milo will know,” he replied.
I flinched when he traced his finger down my cheek.
“Am I that repulsive to you?”
“Let me out of this alley.”
“If you would have come to me when your brother couldn’t pay back that debt, I would have worked it out with you.”
I cringed when he continued to trail his rough fingers along my skin. His intrusive touch made my stomach sick.
“Instead, you made shit a lot worse for me. Because of you, I have the Accettis in my business. Milo is now an enemy, and I need to find a way to get his father to this table. I don’t like the position I’m in.”
“I can't help you.” I clenched my fists when he leaned into my face. “You’re going to have to figure this out without me.”
“Didn’t I just tell you that you have no leverage?” He yanked on the ends of my hair. “If you don’t convince your deranged boyfriend to cooperate, Chance is going to suffer the consequences.”
“Leave my brother alone.” I shoved him. “Haven’t you done enough?”
“I’m just getting started.” He slammed his hands against the wall, caging me in. “Milo is going to pay for what he did to me that night at the bar. He has no idea what he’s unleashed.”
“He isn’t scared of you.”
“He should be.” Romeo chuckled. “But one thing at a time. You tell him that taking this meeting is imperative for his family’s survival. This is no time for him to double down. These men will spare no one.”
“Tell him yourself.” I gritted my teeth. “I’m not your messenger, and I’m not getting caught in the middle of this.”
“You’re already in it, so much more than you know.” He stepped closer to me, leaving no more than an inch between us. “You did that when you went to him and pretended to be his girlfriend.”
I turned my head so I didn’t have to look at him. I didn’t need him to see that farce in my expression. Milo and I may have started out as a fake couple, but that didn’t last long.
"That's right, Sable, I know about your charade. You sold yourself to Milo and he paid your brother’s debt.” He placed his hand on my throat. “Your brother has a big mouth.”
Damn it, Chance!I swallowed back the fear and glared into his twisted gaze.
“You should have come to me first,” he said. “I would have taken the deal you offered Milo.”
