Ruthless Games

by Roxy Sloane

This ring will be a testament to her betrayal. Binding her to me, like her web of lies. I thought I’d love her forever. Now I’ll hate her until the day I die. My prisoner.

My wife. She has no idea, this is just the beginning.

“Then why?” I demand, frustration rising. “Why put us both through this if you can’t stand to be around me?” “Because I had to,” he grinds out. “To protect—” “The Barretti empire,” I finish, scornful. “Of course. It always comes first to you.” Nero wrenches his hand away.

Is this really what I have in store for me now: A lifetime of hostility with Nero? Nero. My husband.

We’re like roommates. Incredibly twisted, toxic roommates, who still have an inconvenient chemistry between them, threatening to spark to life at every turn.

“I’ve tasted you… Fucked you… Tried every inch of this sweet body. And that’s why I know you won’t go find another man.” I swallow, tension tightening my core. “Why not?” I whisper. “Because nobody can give it to you the way I do.”

“Nero,” I swallow, a sudden lump in my throat. This is what he’s been holding onto, I realize. This is what’s been between us all along. It wasn’t just my father’s betrayal he’s been punishing me for.

“It was real for me,” I repeat. “I could never have faked a love like that. It was always real.”

And when I see the gold band on her finger glinting in the sunset light… I feel a new kind of possession, stronger than anything I’ve felt in my life before. Whatever Chase or my old man thinks about this marriage, it doesn’t matter. Nothing else matters now.

Lily will always be mine.

I want to see her belly swell with my baby, create a new life for the both of us and make up for lost time.

I’m not just fighting for the future of the Barretti organization anymore. I’m fighting for our future.

‘I want to love you again, I think my heart already does, but there’s so much history, I don’t know how we could ever trust each other—and, oh yeah, your criminal empire could come crumbling down at any moment, leaving the both of us in jail.’?

Just for once, I want to call the shots. And I need him. Bad. “I chose you,” I repeat it again. “I want you.”

“Take it, baby,” he growls, leaning back against the cushions with his thick cock rearing up from his lap. “Ride it like you own it. Because fuck, it’s all yours.”

He strokes my hair, and I feel a wash of calm roll over me. It’s not just the endorphins bringing me such an unexpected sense of peace. What I said before, I meant it: I chose Nero. Despite everything that’s happened, I stand by that choice. The connection between us is too strong to ignore, and every time I try, I end up right back here where I started: In his arms.

Nero’s stressed expression melts into a smile. “You brought me lunch.”

You don’t need to come to me, asking permission, like you’re

on some fucking allowance. You want it? It’s yours.”

“Nothing to thank me for, Princess.” Nero kisses me. “But if you insist… I can think of a few ways…”

The one who won my heart. It’s touching to know that he’s not gone forever.

And I know I’ll never be the same. Because now I know what it’s like to surrender so completely to him… Nothing will ever feel this good again.

Because damn. Even with the walls closing in, and more danger surrounding us than ever before, I’ll take it, just to be together. There’s nothing that feels as good as this.

“You don’t get to walk away from me,” he growls, stalking closer. “Yes, I do!” I spit. “It’s over. I’ll never forgive you for this!”