THE SINS OF DE LUCA

De Luca MansionMidnight.I yank my hand free."Let go of me."My palm stings where her nails dug in. I hold onto that small, sharp feeling, because anger is easier than the alternative.Skylark stumbles back and catches herself on the edge of the desk. Of course she does. Skylark doesn't fall. She descends."Leave me alone. I'm not marrying you. I'll decide that myself."I slam my fists against the table. The wood groans under my hands. I want it to break. I want something in this room to break besides me.She straightens her dress and folds her hands like she's praying. She isn't. She's never prayed for anything in her life. She's just found the pose that makes her look most reasonable while she says the most unreasonable things."You're lying, Jack." Her voice goes soft. Patient. Like she's explaining something to a child. "I'll be the only woman for you. Your father already confirmed it."She tilts her chin. Smug. Certain. She's won this conversation a hundred times bef

Skylark tried to slap Ariana again. I caught her wrist before it landed."Don't push your luck, Skylark."She twisted in my grip. I tightened it — just enough to make the point."I don't give a damn what issue you have with her. For tonight, stay out of my way."She snatched her hand back. Her eyes went bright and furious, the way they always do when she doesn't get what she wants, and then she lunged for Ariana.Ariana shifted backward. She was clutching a toothbrush like it might do something. Her eyes moved between us — quick, calculating, the way they'd been in the car."I don't care what the two of you have going on," she said. Her voice was unsteady, but she held it together. "I only came here for business. So let's keep it strictly business."She rubbed her cheek and started toward the bed."And where the hell do you think you're going?" Skylark's voice cracked through the room.She tried to push past me. I caught her by the arm and moved her aside — not hard, just enoug

Her eyes dropped to the purse."I told you. I don't have anything that belongs to you."I reached for it. She pulled back.We struggled over the strap — her hands locked around it, mine closing over hers — and her robe slipped open at the shoulder. She didn't notice. She was too busy holding on.Then she let go.The purse hit the ground. The watch slid out, bounced once, and shattered against the stone.For a moment, neither of us moved.I bent down and picked it up. The face was cracked. The glass was everywhere. I turned it over in my hand, watching the light catch the broken pieces."Not only are you a stripper," I said coldly, "but you're also a professional thief."Her eyes widened. Slowly. Like the words were sinking in one at a time.I lifted the damaged watch between us."And you stole one of the most expensive things in this house."She clutched her robe closed at the throat."You left me with no choice." Her voice was tight. "You wasted my time, and then your fiancée

Jacks hidden penthouse.Morning light spilled through the open window.The chamber doors opened slowly. I didn't turn around. I kept walking, eyes fixed ahead, listening to the footsteps move toward me.John. I knew his gait.But there was someone with him. Someone whose steps didn't match the usual rhythm.I stopped.D.D.John bowed low."We arrived late, Boss. My apolo—"I raised my hand.He cleared his throat and straightened."Save it."D.D.'s eyes traveled the room before settling on me. He didn't bow. He didn't flinch. He just studied me, the way he always had — like I was a puzzle he'd already solved and was waiting for me to catch up.That alone told me he hadn't changed."Still allergic to apologies, I see," he said.I gave him a cold look."And you're still fond of arriving late."A faint smile touched his lips."I prefer arriving when I'm needed."John glanced between us. He'd worked with D.D. before. He knew better than to get in the middle.I turned toward the tabl

"Son."My father's hand traced the edge of my suit, straightening a lapel that didn't need straightening. His fingers were cold. They always were."You made it."I cracked a small smile. It sat wrong on my face, but he didn't notice. He never did."I said I would.""You say a lot of things."His eyes moved past me — toward the driveway, the gate, the car I'd stepped out of alone. Checking. Always checking.Then Skylark appeared at his shoulder like she'd been waiting for her cue."Jack."She stepped in before I could move. Her arms went around my neck. Her perfume hit me first — something floral and sharp, the kind of scent that announces itself before the person does.I didn't lift my hands. I stood there stiff, jaw set, eyes fixed on the wall behind her. My skin crawled where she touched me. I could feel Romano watching. I could feel him enjoying it.She pulled back and smiled up at me."You're late.""I'm here."Romano laughed — a low, easy sound — and clapped his hand on my