Chapter 3
517words
He kissed the tip of my nose, amusement lacing his voice. "Jealous, baby?"
I turned away. "Do I have that right?"
He slid out of bed and lit a cigarette, his voice suddenly glacial.
"Olivia. Knowing your place is what makes you valuable. Don't forget that."
I knew that tone. He was pissed.
Despite the knife twisting in my chest, I couldn't let it show. Not even a flicker.
With him, I'd abandoned my dignity long ago.
So I took a deep breath, plastered on my sexiest smile, and straddled him, slowly working my buttons open.
"I've got other talents too. Want a demonstration?"
He blew smoke rings toward my face, then flipped me over, pinning me beneath his weight.
Next morning, he handed me his Glock.
"Meeting that old fox at noon. Hold this for me. Don't hesitate if things go south."
"Things are tense right now. You sure we need heat?"
He pinched my cheek, half-joking. "What are you scared of? Just don't pop off in the middle of the street."
I reached for the passenger door, but he tugged me into the backseat instead.
He squeezed my ass while Jack, ever the professional, kept his eyes locked on the road ahead.
"Still mad?" He leaned in close, smelling of expensive cologne and danger.
I leaned against his shoulder like a good girl. "No."
He twirled my hair around his finger while briefing me on the meeting.
His phone rang. He checked the ID but answered anyway.
A girl's voice—young, sweet as honey—spilled from the speaker, just loud enough for me to catch every word.
"Dom, you promised you'd come see me today…"
Her voice was sugar-sweet, the kind that would make any man's blood run hot.
Sure enough, Dominic licked his lips and let out a low chuckle.
"Be patient, sweetheart. I'm coming."
The girl cooed a few more sweet nothings before hanging up.
I dug my nails into my palms until I felt skin break.
My face remained perfectly calm.
He seemed to suddenly remember I existed and stroked my cheek. "Just keeping a kid happy."
After a beat, he added, "Nobody could replace you, Liv."
Self-mockery flashed through me as I forced a casual tone.
"After this deal, I want to go to Guizhou for some authentic barbecue."
Dominic frowned. "That's halfway across the world."
I pressed closer, my breath ghosting across his lips. "Please?"
His expression softened, something almost like real affection in his eyes.
"Damn it, I can never say no to you."
He tapped the driver's shoulder. "Jack, book the flights."
Then he tapped my nose, his voice warm.
"Happy now? It's not like we won't have other chances."
For a moment, we almost felt like a real couple.
He always did this—crushing my hopes when I was vulnerable, then reeling me back in when I started to see clearly.
The cycle never ended, and my love grew like a cancer.
His casual joke would become prophecy.
We never made it to Guizhou.
Not in this lifetime.
