Ruthless Games

Guess a billion-dollar project will do that to a man’s reputation.

I’m glad. Not because I give a shit, but because Lily deserves better than gossip and scorn. She deserves the best.

“… We’ll have to catch up soon,” Lily is trilling. “But right now, I need to steal my husband away. See you!”

She steers me away, out to the gardens. I’m still feeling a stab of pride hearing her refer to me as her husband when she whirls on me, deadly serious.

“Will the Feds come after you for this bust? Do you have an alibi?” she asks.

No.

“Lily, let it go. We should enjoy the party,” I say, refusing to keep talking about this with her. If I had my way, no aspect of this life would ever touch her. Maybe if I was less of a selfish asshole, I’d be able to just let her go and be safe away from me.

But I also have the sneaking suspicion that she wouldn’t leave, anyway.

We’re drawn to each other like moths to a flame. It’s always been like this.

“No, I won’t just smile and pretend everything’s OK.” she insists, and I grit my teeth. She can never just make something easy.

She can never let anything go. She always has to push me until I’m mad.

“What do you mean, no?” I ask, taking her arm and pulling her away from the more crowded part of the party.

“I’m tired of being kept in the dark!” she exclaims, anger flashing in her eyes. “It’s a bad idea anyway. I never would have talked to Sergei if I’d know that he was your enemy. And the attack at the restaurant? Maybe I would have been more alert if you didn’t keep me in the dark all the time.”

That’s a low blow.

“Stay out of it, Lily,” I warn. “This is your world, this one,” I growl, gesturing around. “Not down in the filth with me.”

“But—” Lily starts to argue, but then she pauses, looking past me. Confusion and fear mar her face.

I turn.

It’s the Feds. Swarming the party, the whole damn SWAT team out in force. Everyone stops to stare, eyes wide.

“Nero?” Lily’s voice shakes.

“Don’t worry,” I tell her, even as that smug bastard agent strolls over. The one who was meeting behind my back with Lily. He’s got a shit-eating grin on his face, and a warrant in his hand.

“Nero Barretti.”

“That’s me,” I act casual, sipping my wine. “Great party, huh? You need to try the little crab puff things. Delicious.”

He rolls his eyes, whips out the cuffs, and slams me against the wall. As he reads me my rights, I catch Lily’s eyes. She’s watching, stricken.

Fuck.

I want to comfort her, but there’s no time.

“Call Miles,” I call, as they roughly hustle me away. “It’ll be fine. I promise.”

I just have to hope it’s a promise I can keep.