A flicker of disappointment crossed her face .
She shrank back into the corner of the sofa .
I thought … someone as beautiful and … and put together as you would be the only one for Sal .
She was so naive , so utterly oblivious to the darkness lurking beneath Sals charming facade .
I almost reached out to pat her head , but a voice stopped me .
Mr.
Demarco said youre not to touch Miss Ellis , one of Sals men said , stepping between us .
His tone was respectful , but his stance was firm .
And hed prefer it if you didnt come to this house anymore .
This is Miss Elliss home now .
The girl cowered further into the cushions , while I raised an eyebrow .
This was a new level of protection .
Fine , I said , turning to leave .
Ill go .
Sal had brought women home before , but none had warranted this kind of fortress .
Liv , this is all we could find , Seven said , handing me a file in the car .
The information was scant , but it was exactly what Sal wanted L me to see .
The girls name was Maya Ellis .
Three years younger than Sal .
And theyd grown up in the same neighborhood .
Shed been working at a local orphanage before Sal brought her here .
Her record was squeaky clean .
Sal … hes different with her , Seven added quietly .
Maybe she really was his the one , the light in his darkness .
If so , that made him vulnerable .
And vulnerable was good .
He wants you to make him dinner , Seven said , interrupting my thoughts .
Of course he did .
If Sal wanted something , he got it .
I told the driver to turn the car around .
Time to go grocery shopping .
The mansion was just one of Sals many properties .
His real home was a simple apartment downtown , surrounded by a small army of bodyguards .
I carried the groceries upstairs , my mind racing .
Why Maya ? What was her angle ? Was she a threat , or could she be an unwitting ally ? And the bigger question … did Sal know who I really was ? I was prepping the fish when I felt Sals arms around my waist .
I hadnt even heard him come in .
Dont touch me , I said , Ive got fish guts all over my hands .
He chuckled , nuzzling my neck .
Where ? He brushed my hair aside , his fingers toying with my earring .
I turned on the faucet , washing the blood away .
Done ? he murmured .
We く His lips found the sensitive skin of my neck , and I pushed against him half heartedly , my resolve melting under his touch .
I looked into his eyes , dark and intense , and my breath caught in my throat .
He always looked like this when he lost control restrained , yet his eyes burned with a dangerous fire .
I pulled away , my heart pounding .
Mad? he asked , a teasing glint in his eyes .
Still sulking about your birthday? He poked my nose .
Youre like a little pufferfish , all puffed up .
I am not a pufferfish … I started to protest , but he cut me off , lifting me onto the counter .
He kissed me , deep and possessive , and I clung to his shirt , my thoughts scattering like leaves in the wind く scattering like leaves in the wind .
When he finally broke away , he was smiling , that dangerous , knowing smile .
You know why I was hurt that night I brought Maya home ? he asked , pulling a photograph from his pocket .
I smoothed it out .
It was a picture of me , in my police academy uniform , posing with a group of orphans .
Isnt it interesting , Livia ? Sals voice was low and close to my ear .
She said she recognized you .
Called you … Officer Chen .
My blood ran cold .
Care to explain ? I stared at the photograph , my mind racing .
The tofu soup on the stove bubbled merrily .
< Sal watched me , his expression unreadable .
I laughed , a brittle , hollow sound .
I punched him lightly on the chest .
Whats there to explain , Sal ? You know I graduated from the academy .
I just … got kicked out , remember ? The academy expulsion story was a carefully crafted lie , a contingency plan in case my past ever surfaced .
He looked at me , his eyes narrowed .
He rubbed my lower back , a seemingly casual gesture that made my stomach clench .
Did he believe me? Was he playing with me ? I was suddenly acutely aware of the knife block on the counter , just inches away .
Then he laughed , a soft , chilling sound .
Oh , right .
Silly me .
I forgot .
He glanced at the stove .
Dinner almost ready ? Im starving , Livia .
His eyes never left mine .
I nodded , straightening my clothes .
As I adjusted my shirt , I realized why hed touched my back .
It was soaked with sweat .
Dinner was a blur .
Every meal with Sal was a performance , a tightrope walk between maintaining my cover and losing myself in the charade .
I wanted to slap the cuffs on him right then and there , to end this agonizing game .
Livia , Sals voice cut through my thoughts .
Theres a shipment coming in at the East Docks tomorrow night .
I need you to handle it .
I looked up .
What kind of shipment ? L He smiled , that enigmatic smile that gave nothing away .
I knew better than to press him .
Sal kept his cards close to his chest , even with me .
It had made gathering evidence a slow , painstaking process .
I nodded , grabbing my purse .
Okay .
Ill take care of it .
I should get going … He caught my wrist as I passed .
Whats with you tonight ? You seem … distracted .
I forced a smile .
Just tired .
Dealt with a … problem earlier .
He didnt say anything , just continued to hold my wrist , his thumb tracing circles on my skin .
The silence stretched , thick and heavy .
Stay he said softly Г My first instinct was to refuse .
I cant , Sal .
I have to … He pulled me into his arms , his lips finding mine , silencing my protest .
He pushed me against the table , his kisses trailing down my neck .
The dim light cast long shadows across the room .
I looked into his eyes , dark and desperate .
He was always like this when he let his guard down .
Controlled , yet wild .
Passionate , yet … restrained .
I barely slept .
So , naturally , I woke up late .
The bed was a mess , but Sal was gone .
I showered , trying to clear my head .
The shipment was due at midnight .
I had time .
Time to figure out Maya .
Time to decide what to do about Sal .
く I reached into the hidden compartment of my purse and pulled out the phone card .
My emergency exit .
My get out of jail free card .
The Bureau had assured me that if things went south , one call and theyd extract me , no matter the cost .
But if I made that call … it would all be for nothing .
Six years of lies .
The sacrifices of my colleagues .
My own twisted sense of justice .
Id become a criminal to catch criminals , and Id walk away with nothing to show for it .
Id envisioned this moment a thousand times , the satisfying click of the cuffs on Sals wrists .
I turned the phone card over and over in my hand , then closed my eyes .
I slid it back into its hiding place .
Not yet .
Not today .
11:30 PM .
I drove down the deserted highway , the salty tang of the ocean already thick in the air .
I pulled up to the docks .
Several black sedans were waiting , their headlights trained on me .
I knew this was a setup .
But defying Sal would blow my cover .
I got out , hands shoved in my trench coat pockets , my eyes fixed on the man behind the wheel of the lead car .
My supposed buyer .
They called him Mad Dog Malone .
The name fit .
He had a reputation for violence and a laundry list of illegal enterprises .
Looks like you brought my merchandise , Malone drawled , jumping out of the car and giving me a once over that made my skin crawl .
I forced a smile , retrieving the suitcase from the backseat .
Its all there .
See for yourself .
Г He just raised an eyebrow .

Follow new episodes on the CrushnovelS.Com

Mind if you open it for me , Ms.
Chen ? His gaze was unsettling , a predatory gleam in his eyes .
I knew then , with a sickening certainty , that something was very wrong .
But with those headlights pinning me in place , I had nowhere to go .
I opened the case .
Inside , nestled among the padding , were rocks .
Heavy , useless rocks .
Malones laughter , harsh and grating , filled the night .
Well , well , Ms.
Chen … dont you get it ? The merchandise … is you .