Chapter 4

He said I would be going shopping, not that they would bring the whole boutique to me. He definitely meant every clause.

I am doomed.

Ellen knocked at the door this morning and brought in every single roll of clothes into the closet. They are so gorgeous.

Who would have thought that I, Ava Sinclair, would own everything she ever wished for?

From being called a hoe at the bar, a loser at the Lode's Mart counter, a thief at Tony's restaurant, and a silly nanny/cleaner at Ruby's to this "luxury."

I never once complained.

At the end of each week, I had at least a hundred pounds, just enough to get Mom checked at the hospital and to get some groceries too. I rubbed my hands on the silk fabric that clung to my skin.

I remember being caught with a ring in my mouth. I was only tasting the leftover cake as a kitchen hand when my teeth ground on something hard. I spat it out and was called a thief at Tony's restaurant.

My fingers lingered on the box of jewelry in the see-through cabinet.

"Ma'am, you haven't tried this on." Ellen held out a velvet red gown. My hands glided through the fabric.

It held my slender figure. My lips stretched in a smile.

They kept bringing in clothes, perfumes, jewelry, and shoes into the closet.

Which of them am I going to take? They are all so beautiful. I hadn't completed the thought and--

Ellen started placing them into the wardrobe.

"I haven't chosen any yet. Why are you putting them into the closet?"

She sort of knew that I liked them all but where's the fun.

"Sire's orders."

What's the use of a shopping idea if I buy everything? This is no fun at all.

I rolled my eyes and walked into my room, slamming myself onto the bed, face down.

Call it a tantrum or whatever.

I just hate it when someone makes all the decisions for me. Simply put, I hate Lorenzo.

"Sire wants you dressed in this for tonight's ball." She lifted a cream dinner gown.

"Sire this, sire that, sire here, sire there. I will choose my own outfit."

"For goodness' sake, it's taking hours, ma'am. Sire would not be pleased if you keep him waiting."

I rolled my eyes at Ellen as she tugged at the laces to tie my corset.

I stepped out of my room, led by the bald butler and Ellen, moving her hands over the flow of the gown.

"Stop it already."

"You look like a fucking dessert," his voice echoed through the room filled with men dressed in designer tuxedos. "Can I have a piece?"

He breathed in my perfume and lightly kissed me. It sent shockwaves through my body.

He held my arm with his. My legs felt warm, and I froze. Swallowing hard, I looked at Lorenzo.

"What's the matter?"

"I'm sorry, my monthly --"

"It's alright. Ellen, take care of her."

I watched him leave with his men following behind him.

Lorenzo's POV

My phone buzzed with messages, one after the other, with an annoying ping sound.

"Sir, there are words that Enzo DeLuca is back, but no sighting of him."

"Be on the lookout. Did the Sinclair brothers deliver on their deal?"

"Yes, it's on its way to the depot."

"Hit the road."

I arrived at the depot in the outskirts of the city. Let me see if the Sinclair brothers would deliver as they promised. Their heads would roll, if they try to play on my intelligence.

And for the girl, I could auction her off to a big bidder and get back my money.

The Romano's heir would have a good shot at this.

I adjusted my blazer and brushed my hair to the sides with my fingers and stepped into the cold room.

The door flung open, and there stood the exact image of Aria DeLuca.

No fucking way.

I gestured a guard to me. "Who is this girl?"

"Sinclair brothers' deal."

I looked at her bloodied legs, arms, and head.

A torn negligee revealing too much skin as it was.

I wasn't sure she was the deal, but her eyes looked feisty and bold but also sweet.

I didn't mean to throw a punch at her, but she asked for it, and all the memory of Aria's betrayal flashed before my eyes.

I loved her so much, but her filthy family killed my father.

But Ava....

Bringing her into my home was a mistake. Letting her lie in my house was blatant proof I still love her.

And kissing her was…

There's something I can't explain. Is it her eyes or the way she looks at me? I don't believe in coincidences.

"Sir, there's something you must see." I shuffled through the papers.

"And so what?"

"Maria Sinclair isn't Ava's biological mother. She was adopted."

I don't fucking care if she was. I will keep my enemy close. It would be nice to enjoy a few games with her. All she cares about is her foster mother.

Aria doesn't care about anyone, so it was easy for her to betray our love.

More proof that Ava can't be Aria.

This is just some washed-up doppelganger with her own fucking personality.

I stepped out of my study to find her snooping around. Another annoying trait. She thinks she can escape from me. I won't let her.

Isabella has been hunting my father's will. And she is just the key to me getting the Valenti Corporation.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out. It was pictures of Isabella and some fucking mafia dons.

Woman doesn't know her place.

KEEP AN EYE ON HER, I texted back.

I slid my phone beside me and slipped into my gym shoes.