“Boss…” I can hear the fear in the way his voice goes high-pitched.
“Just a week, Matteo. To make sure you’re clean. This is your last chance.”
“A week?Caputo?—”
I grab his arm and shove him into the mansion, even as he screams and fights. I throw him into the panic room.
The slot is open and he rushes to it, looking at me with wide brown eyes. He’d taken the rap for me more than once.
Which is why he gets this chance.
“Luca, please!”
I slam the slot shut.
A week in the panic room.
A week alone with his thoughts.
With no drugs, nothing to blur the edges.
It may be hell for Matteo, but it’s what’s best for him right now.
As I said, I’m a benevolent leader.
When I can be.
3
SOPHIA
At Scott’s place, I rifle through the duffel bag of clothes I’d brought over, huffing out a breath.
“I have nothing to wear.”
“You brought the whole closet,” Scott says with a laugh. “I’m sure we can find something.”
He draws out a red dress, one I’ve never worn. I’ve always thought my butt was too big for it.
“My ass can be seen from NASA in that thing,” I complain.
“That’s thepoint, sweetheart,” Scott croons. “Big butts are in.”
I’m already in my underwear, a white bra and thong, so I wiggle into the dress, pulling it down over my ass and looking in the mirror.
“It doesn’t leave much to the imagination.”
“Good.” Scott grins. “God knows you need to get laid.”
I pout. “It hasn’t been that long.”
“It’s been months, Soph.”
I blink. Has it really been that long?
The last time, his name was Greg or Craig or something, he was a firefighter I picked up at a cop bar.
We’d had breakfast together then never spoken again.
