Ravaged By Passion

“What kind of job are you offering me?”

He nods to himself, takes another drink, and spins the glass. “I’ll get you hired back into his organization. You’ll be my eyes and ears inside. Everything you learn, you’ll report back to me, and together we’ll sink a poisoned knife into that asshole’s chest. How’s that sound?”

I clear my throat. “It sounds… not bad, actually. But why do you hate him so much?”

“I’ll tell you if you’ll tell me.” I consider that and shake my head. He grins in response. “Didn’t think so.”

“Give me some time to think about this, okay? This is just… it’s a lot.”

“You know who I am. You know my family. This isn’t an empty offer. If you decide to come work for me, you’ll be mine. Do you understand?”

My jaw works. I hate the idea of being his but the idea of getting back into Malcolm’s orbit is extremely tempting, and this is by far my best chance of finding some measure of justice in this ugly world. I was willing to go to any lengths necessary, willing to risk death to get what I want.

Am I willing to give myself over to a man like Gavino?

“Let me think about it.”

“Take a few days. I’ll be in touch. In the meantime, I’d keep your head down.”

“Why?”

“You’re on Malcolm’s radar. It’s not healthy to be on Malcolm’s radar.”

“If he’s aware of me, how the heck will you get me back into his company?”

“Don’t worry about that, I’ll figure it out.” He stands up. I’m amazed by his size all over again—he dwarfs me like a giant. I remember his big hands on my hips, on my ass, in my hair. I remember his lips on mine.

I shiver with pleasure and turn away, unable to look at him.

This is a horrible mistake.

Whatever game Gavino is playing will get me killed more likely than not. A man like him doesn’t care about a girl like me—I’m nothing, a nobody, just a convenient pawn.

But my life is worth nothing.

Malcolm Strafford made sure of that a long time ago.

I’ve been ruined since the day I was born, and now I want Malcolm to suffer the way I’ve suffered.

The way my mother seethed and hurt and bled.

Gavino pays for my drink and leaves. I watch him go, wondering if this is salvation or damnation.