The Truth Hurts: Part Two: The Twisted Betrayal Duet

Chapter 46

My fingers stroke over the embossed black card again and again. Now that we know where this emblem has vaguely come from, Raf can work on pinpointing who is putting a target on my back. It’s safe to say that whoever created this calling card is the same person running the trafficking ring, but that doesn’t leave us with much else to go on.

The Governor couldn’t possibly be behind it. He doesn’t have the resources to hide behind, which means he’s definitely working with someone. The only thing we can be certain of right now is that he will have the answers to Gabriella’s whereabouts. And even if that leads us to someone else, I’ll chase down every lead we get. I won’t stop until I find her.

The thought still brings a shiver over my body. I always thought that D’Angelo was up to something, but I didn’t think it would be the flesh trade. To be honest, I didn’t really know what he would have been involved with since he had some agreement with my father. But after the conversation I had with my father in the hospital, it seems he apparently didn’t have a clue either.

Thankfully, my father walked away with only a broken leg, so I know he’s not suffering with any head trauma.

Raf and Nico have spent all week planning how we’re going to get the Governor alone long enough to find out where Gabriella is. From what Greco said, we can only surmise that there are a lot more kids with her. It’s going to be one hell of a mission rescuing them as well, but with Nico’s help, he’s made it possible.

“You ready?” Luca asks me from my bedroom doorway.

I spin around and give him a cursory glance, admiring the way his suit fits his muscular form. “You scrub up well,” I remark with a coy smile. Who am I kidding, though? The man looks divine in his designer suit, his hair combed back and slight stubble decorating his jawline. I love the rugged look on Luca, so much so that I can feel my panties getting wetter as he steps further into the room.

I’ve been getting my fair share of pleasure from all my men—Giovanni included—so it’s not like I’m going dry. Clearly, I’m just thirsty and luckily I have four men who are willing to quench that.

Sliding his hands around my waist, he tugs me to his chest. The heat in his eyes spreads fire around my body, a kind of fire I want to burn in.

“You look delicious,” he comments, swiping his tongue across his lips. Then he dives in, caressing my neck with kisses, teasing me with his tongue and careful not to smudge my lipstick. The throb that pulses between my legs at the contact has me weak at the knees, and I pray that we have enough time for a little fooling around before we have to leave.

My hands slide over his shoulders and I gasp when his teeth nip at the sensitive part of my neck. I pull him closer, like I can’t get enough of his touch. In fact, I know I can’t. My body aches for Luca and from the hardness pressing against me, I know he feels the same.

As if he senses my own desire, he cups the nape of my neck and uses his body to walk me backwards. My back hits the wall, and a heartbeat later, Luca hitches up one of my legs and pins me with his hips. A growl rumbles through his chest as his lips meet mine in a hungry, soul-shattering kiss.

We should really be heading out to the Governor’s Gala, but the heated tension between us says that our minds are on other things right now.

With finesse, Luca glides his palm up my thigh. Using the split in the material of my skirt, he moves the fabric of my dress out of the way to slide his fingers beneath my lace panties. Surprise makes him pull away, his brows rising as he questions me silently.

“I need all the protection I can get tonight,” I remark.

“I’d say I was disappointed,” he murmurs. “But the thought of easy access for someone else to touch this cunt only infuriates me.”

A shiver racks down my spine. His dirty words always seem to make me wetter, and right now, there’s no exception.

Luca takes my lack of response as an invitation to slide a finger into my pussy. My grip on his shoulders tightens when he slips into me, a gasp parting my lips and eyes slamming shut while I attempt to suppress the pathetic mewl that escapes me.

“Don’t hold back, Dolcezza. Let everyone hear how good I make you feel.” He pulls his finger out to spread my arousal over my clit, rubbing hard until the sensation makes me shudder so heavily that Luca has to hold me up with his knee between my thighs.

I’m caged in, wrapped in delicious muscle as Luca pumps his hand agonizingly slowly into my pussy. His lips land on the fleshy part between my neck and shoulder, biting down softly. The pressure on the muscle makes me clench around his fingers. Every time he slides his fingers in, my knees shake. Every time he curls his hand to hit that tantalizing spot inside, I moan.

“So good,” I whisper.

“Say it louder.”

“So fucking good,” I moan, slamming my lips onto his. I don’t care anymore about my lipstick, it’s nude anyway. I can just reapply after this hot as fuck fingering session.

Luca slides his tongue against mine, fucking me with his fingers and swallowing every moan of pleasure. It’s torturously slow the way he winds me up like a toy. To the point he has me begging.

“Please!” I gasp, throwing my head back as Luca edges me towards an orgasm.

Usually, he’d keep edging me until I’m a quivering mess. Normally, the control is all his and I’d surrender it to him. But tonight, I need the control, and I don’t need to tell Luca that. We’re so in sync that he knows exactly what I need.

He slides his tongue along my bottom lip. With a deviant smile, he pumps his fingers into me with more determination, his thumb pressing down on my clit so hard that I see stars.

My thighs clench around his waist, my walls pulsating as my climax hits me like a goddamn freight train. “Yes… yes!” I cry out over and over again until my voice grows hoarse and the only name on my lips is his.

“Fuck, you’re so beautiful when you shatter.” He pulls his hand out and one by one, sucks his fingers clean.

Why is that so sexy? I tremble at the action, letting his lips brush mine tentatively before sliding his tongue into my gasping mouth. My pussy still throbs, but it’s the good kind of ache that can only be sated by his cock. The taste of my arousal sits heavily on my tongue, and the desire swimming in Luca’s eyes tells me he’s not done with me yet. Unfortunately, we don’t have time to continue this further, so I have to push away the thirsty voice in my head and focus on keeping my sexual urges at bay.

When I finally come down from my high and my breaths return to a more regular rhythm, Luca smooths my dress down and holds a hand out for me. I’m not going to lie, I’m slightly disappointed we didn’t get to push that further, but when I look at the time, I know everyone else will be waiting for us—and they probably heard what delayed me, too.

“Don’t look so disappointed,” Luca whispers in my ear as we descend the stairs. “When tonight is over, I’m going to fuck you in Enzo’s car.” He slaps my ass to drive his point home, and boy do I feel it. My pussy clenches around nothing, soaking my panties even more than before, but I won’t deny the excitement I feel over reaping the benefits of Luca’s competitive side.

We arrive at the Governor’s place, high up in the valley where the landscape is thickly forested. It’s meant to be a big event tonight, which is why it wasn’t exactly difficult for me to get an invitation. All Levi had to do was bat his eyelashes at the Governor’s assistant and we were in. Too easy.

“Enzo’s in position,” Levi mutters beside me, looping my arm in his as we approach the steps to D’Angelo’s mansion.

While we distract the Governor, Enzo will be in the woods nearby. The twins are on standby, and Luca—reluctantly—is keeping an eye on Giovanni. The last thing we want is for him to get involved before we’ve got the answers we need. This mission holds a more emotional weakness for him that we can’t take a risk on. Once we have what we need, we’ll relay the information back. This is just step one in our plan; get this right, and the next step is even easier.

“And the twins?” I ask as we step into the ornate hall.

“Awaiting our command.”

With everyone confirming their positions, Levi and I step into another large room, filled with guests mingling and drinking glasses of champagne. Nico follows behind us, keeping at least five paces away so we don’t look like we’ve arrived together. I don’t want to risk the wrong people seeing our alliance.

The gala is in full swing as we enter what looks to be a ballroom. A quartet plays in the corner of the room while service staff weave between the groups of overdressed businessmen and their primped mistresses and wives. I instantly spot the Governor talking with Commissioner Graham, Head of the LAPD. I don’t miss the wary glance he sends my way when he notices me, but I’ll store that little piece of information for later.

“He’s mine,” Nico murmurs as he walks past me, collecting a glass of champagne as he does so. The animosity in his voice is unmistakable. I don’t know how far Nico is willing to take his quest for revenge, but after what he told us about his wife, I’d be a real asshole if I didn’t allow him to exact retribution on those involved with Mila’s capture and the death of her little sister. That’s for another time, though.

We agreed that tonight was for one thing and one thing only; to locate Gabriella and get her safely to Giovanni. In exchange for his help tonight, Nico gets to take out all the people on his hit list with our aid—something I’m more than happy to assist with.

“Here,” Levi says, handing me my own drink. “Time to act the part.”

Clutching the glass, I take a careful sip. It’s time to put a new mask on; the one that paints me as someone other than the leader of L.A.’s largest crime syndicate. My gaze travels through the room, noting every single person and committing their faces to memory. After tonight, I want to make sure that anyone colluding with Governor D’Angelo is taken care of. Even if Nico and I have to take out half the city, it will hopefully eradicate the vermin running the flesh trade business.

For a while, Levi and I work our way around the room, playing nice with the business men and women of L.A. I swap pleasantries, fake smiles until my jaw aches, and make boring conversation about investment opportunities. After an hour of schmoozing, Governor D’Angelo pushes through the crowded hall, making a beeline for me. I’ve garnered his attention, which was exactly the plan. It’s not like I could go up to him and pull him away from his own event.

No, I had to tease him, play hard to get, and make him come to me.

“Good luck,” Levi mutters before taking my glass and leaving.

I take a deep breath, fixing my proverbial mask as D’Angelo approaches. This is it. It’s time to get the Governor alone and distract him enough that we can locate Gabriella. While Levi pretends to get me a replacement drink, I’ll work my magic on the Governor. I won’t be alone, though. Nico and Levi will be nearby, ready to jump in when the time comes.

“Miss Bianchi,” D’Angelo’s voice booms as he takes my hand. He places a wet kiss on the back of it and I have to force away the urge to grimace. His entire demeanor is pompous, arrogant, and slimy. Knowing what I do now, I’m ashamed I didn’t see what he was up to sooner. Maybe if I had, Gabriella would be safe.

I shake those intrusive thoughts from my head, instead giving the Governor my most alluring smile. “Governor,” I reply with a sultry lilt. “Thank you so much for the invitation.”

“Of course! I would never forget to put your name on my guest list,” he boasts.

Who is he trying to kid?The asshole never had me on his list and we both know it. This is just his typical arrogance shining through, and I suddenly remember how hard I had to rein in my irritation over the man after our last encounter.

Releasing my hand from his grip, I swipe the back of it on my thigh, taking the glass of champagne he’s offering me. “I feel like we got off on the wrong foot the last time we met,” he comments.

Tilting my head, I keep up the facade, playing the innocent woman. After all, isn’t that what men like him desire? Somebody weak, someone they can snap their fingers at and get what they want?

Schooling my expression into one of pure innocence and fake lust, I answer demurely, “I think you’re right.”

“I should apologize for my behavior…”

He should, but he doesn’t.

“Nonsense,” I smile, patting his shoulder softly. “It’s water under the bridge.”

“Please,” he insists, his deep voice cutting over mine. “Let me make it up to you.”

I pretend to lose myself in thought, flirtatiously contemplating his proposal. When I feel like I’ve made him sweat a little, I nod in agreement. “What did you have in mind?”

The Governor’s eyes widen at the innuendo I provide. The idiot is playing right into my hands, and the sense of power that comes from that is immeasurable.

But when he leans in close, his hot breath smothering my cheek, I resist the shiver that attempts to slither up my spine. “I think I know a few ways,” he replies, thickening on the failing seductive charm.

His words churn my stomach—not because of what might be running through his mind, but what’s running through mine. This is my opportunity to get him alone, and while the thought makes me queasy, when I lock eyes with Levi over D’Angelo’s shoulder, I shake that feeling away. Flashing my eyes back to the Governor, I swipe a bottle of champagne from a nearby waiter and wave it in the air. “After you, Sir.”

Those words must get him hard, because he all but grabs my wrist and steers me through the hallway. I pass Nico on my way up a long staircase, accepting the nod he sends my way as we ascend the steps adorned with red velvet carpet and brass embellishments. Every step leading me away from the crowd makes my pulse quicken, but I can sense Nico behind me and I know I won’t be alone for long.

I follow D’Angelo down a long corridor until he stops beside a large wooden door, shoving it open with more force than necessary. The pompous ass really wants to make this a whole lot more dramatic than it needs to be, but I’ll let him play that role because this won’t last very long.

Kicking the door closed behind me, I prowl towards the Governor with a sway in my hips, placing my glass on a nearby chest of drawers. “Sit,” I tell him when he backs up against the bed.

Obediently, he sinks into the mattress, glass in hand and licking his lips expectantly.

I toss him a smirk. The filthy pervert isn’t going to know what’s hit him, and after Nico is done with him, his secrets will be out for the world to see. I take a swig from the champagne bottle, purely for dutch courage, then step between his legs and tower over my victim.

“I seem to remember the last time we saw each other, I was a little harsh with your…” I glance at his crotch, or so it looks that way. The last thing I want to do is go near those nasty things, but D’Angelo doesn’t see that. “How about I make it up to you?” I tease, walking my fingers over the lapels of his jacket.

“I won’t say no,” he grins, reaching for my waist.

Before he can grab me, I grip the little finger of his offending hand and bend it backwards.

He howls out in pain, crippling over, but it’s not hard enough to maim him. He’s just a pathetic, weak old man who gets off on playing with little kids instead of someone his own age. The thought makes me nauseous, and I have to fight myself to push through.

“Want to play a game?” I ask stoically, letting his hand go free.

He nods emphatically. The pitiful man pushes up right and sheds his pants and jacket in a split second. He doesn’t need any direction. I would have liked him on a chair, but as I watch him slide up the bed, waiting patiently for me, I decide this will have to do. Nico can move him wherever he needs to be when I’m done.

I turn to place the champagne bottle on the floor before sliding his belt out of his suit pants that he dumped on the floor. Since we couldn’t bring any weapons in here, I’ve worked with Nico and Levi to strategically plan this part. My role was to get him in here, away from prying eyes. We don’t need weapons to get what we want from him now that he’s alone, because as Nico put it, glass and fists hurt just as much.

“Hands,” I command when I approach the side of the bed.

He presses his wrists together eagerly, allowing me to wrap the belt around them before pinning them above his head. I thread the belt through the gaps in the headboard, buckling it in place, then stand back to admire my handiwork. I huff out a short laugh, filled with ridicule and excitement.

Poor man. He has no idea what’s about to happen.