Chapter 2

I sent him the location.

Then I looked up and fixed my gaze on Vito.

"And what if I do mind?"

It was the first time Vito had ever seen me speak so seriously. It threw him.

He tried to push Gina away, but she draped herself over him like a limp rag.

"We've slept together how many times now—are you really going to pretend nothing happened?"

"You said it yourself, Amelia's like a piece of wood in bed. She doesn't know the first thing about pleasing you!"

She laughed sweetly, saying it loud enough for me to hear on purpose.

Vito shot me a nervous glance.

"That was just a joke. I was teasing her."

I let out a soft "oh," my voice quivering, as if I'd been shattered but couldn't bear to walk away.

I knew what they loved most was seeing me like this—small, groveling.

So I lowered my eyes and murmured:

"Then let me come with you to take her home."

"What did you say?"

Gina couldn't believe her ears.

I lifted my head and looked at them steadily.

"You have a headache, don't you? Vito and I will take you home."

I stubbornly grabbed hold of her, forcing her to lean her weight against me.

Vito froze for a moment at what I was doing, then laughed as if I'd amused him.

He reached out and flicked the tip of my nose.

"Aw, Amelia's jealous? Don't worry, I'll make it up to you."

"Jewelry, bags, a designer gown—whatever you want. Anything else? I'll take you to the auction tomorrow."

His words and gestures were affectionate, as if he hadn't done a single thing wrong.

Inside, I was disgusted with him. But nothing showed on my face.

I'd always been good at wearing this mask.

Back in high school, some girl had cornered me in the bathroom and cut up my clothes.

Vito was the one who warned her off.

He'd stood there frowning at me for a long time, then shrugged off his jacket and put it around my shoulders.

"You should have a bit of a temper."

That girl never came back to school again. Vito assumed it was his doing.

What he didn't know was that she'd been caught kissing another boy by her strict, old-fashioned father.

And her father had been led there by me.

She was forced to transfer schools—no more chance to bully me, of course.

But I was happy to have someone like Vito play the hero, so I never told him the truth.

"Let's go. Take her home," I said.

"But I already booked us a hotel room. Who said I was going home?"

Gina's voice cut in, her eyes glittering with triumph.

Right in front of me, she wrapped one pale leg around Vito's, staring up at him.

"You don't want to, Vito?"

"That lingerie you wanted me to wear—I already had it sent to the hotel. If you miss out tonight, I'm not putting it on next time."

Vito's pupils contracted, his interest visibly sharpening.

"Amelia, you go home first."

"I can't miss out on Gina's little gift."

"That lingerie you wanted me to wear—I already had it sent to the hotel. If you miss out tonight, I'm not putting it on next time."

Vito's pupils contracted, his interest visibly sharpening.

"Amelia, you go home first."

"I can't miss out on Gina's little gift."

I looked at him, my eyes red.

"You sure?"

He nodded, then frowned.

"Be good—unless you want a divorce."

I drew in a deep breath. Even breathing made my chest ache.

Gina let out a snicker.

"What, you want to stay and watch? That's a bit much. Wouldn't that be too cruel on you?"

Inside, I laughed coldly.

Of course I wanted to watch.

I wanted to watch them make fools of themselves.

After all, Kai would be here soon.