King of Greed (Kings of Sin #3) by Ana Huang

“I’m talented at many things, but freestyling isn’t one of them, I’m afraid.”

Our DJ had wrestled control back fairly quickly, and we’d never figured out who was responsible for the unexpected musical diversion. However, it made for a good story, and I would never forget how willing Alessandra had been to roll with it. If I hadn’t already loved her more than I could fathom, I would’ve fallen head over heels right then and there.

“If I could rewind time and go back ten years, I’d do a lot of things differently,” I said. “Including beefing up the DJ’s security.” And loving you the way you deserve.

The DJ statement was a joke, but everything else wasn’t. Despite the billions in my bank accounts, I couldn’t buy the only thing I wanted.

A second chance with her.

“If only.” Alessandra gave me a sad smile. “But there’s no use living in the past.”

“No. There isn’t.” My throat constricted. The drum of my heartbeat intensified behind my ribcage. “Go on a date with me.”

She sighed. “Dom…”

“We’ve never had a real date in Brazil. Every time we’ve visited, we’ve spent it with your family.”

“That’s not a good enough reason.”

“I don’t need a reason to be with you, amor. But I’ll give you ten thousand if it means you’ll say yes.”

A visible swallow slid down her throat. “You always know what to say.”

“Not always.” I wish I did. I wish I’d said a thousand things and asked a thousand questions instead of glossing over them. “I don’t expect you to jump into a relationship with me again, or even go on a second date,” I said. “I just want to spend time with you for as long as you’ll let me.”

Alessandra remained quiet.

“It won’t make up for the nights we lost or the dates I missed, but I…” A mix of frustration and misery scraped my words raw. “I’m so fucking sorry. For everything.”

Eloquence had abandoned me, but if I stripped away the frills, they were the only words left. Every ounce of regret, shame, and guilt distilled into two words.

I’m sorry.

The current song ended. We’d stopped dancing long ago, but we stayed rooted to our spots while my heart thumped to a painful beat.

“One date,” Alessandra finally said. My shock of relief cut off a second later when she added, “But that’s all it is. It doesn’t mean we’re dating, and I’m free to see other people. If I do, you can’t follow me, threaten the men, or do anything else that’ll ruin the dates.”

Every muscle coiled at the thought of her dating someone else, but I fought back my visceral reaction. I was smart enough to recognize a test and a punishment when I saw them, and I was desperate enough to take them as they were given.

I dipped my head in agreement before she could walk back her concession. One date. I could work with that.

“Deal.”





CHAPTER 24



Alessandra




“YOU WHAT?” SLOANE’S FACE FILLED MY SCREEN WITH disapproval. “Why would you agree to go on a date with your ex-husband? Are you high? Do I need to fly down for an intervention?”

“It’s not as bad as it sounds. I told him one date and that it doesn’t mean we’re dating, which means we can see other people.”

“Are you actually seeing other people?”

“Not yet,” I admitted. “But I will once I’m back in New York.”

It’d been two days since my mother’s wedding, and I was catching my friends up on everything that’d happened over the past week. My mother had left for her honeymoon yesterday and Marcelo had returned to São Paulo that morning because he couldn’t miss any more work—he’d only been granted an extra day off because of the wedding—which meant I was alone in my family’s Rio apartment.

I hadn’t decided when I’d return to the city yet. It was already mid-December, so I might as well stay here through the New Year. According to Isabella, everything was progressing smoothly with the physical store, and my online shop was still on hiatus. I didn’t need to be in New York.

“You’re dating someone you divorced two months ago,” Vivian said gently. “We’re just worried you’re…”

“Backsliding,” Isabella supplied. “A rich, hot guy flying all the way to Brazil to win you back? I don’t blame you for caving, but it doesn’t solve your core issues. Right?”

“No, and I’m not caving.” My response contained the ring of a half-truth. “I know Dominic. He won’t give up until he gets what he wants. This way, I can go on a date with him and call it a day.”

I made it sound far easier than it was, but Dominic had too much pride to stand by and beg for attention while I dated other men. I gave him a month tops before he bowed out.

“Maybe.” Isabella didn’t look convinced. “I hope you know what you’re doing, babe. We don’t want you to get hurt again.”

“I won’t. I promise.”

A knock interrupted our call. There were no groceries in the fridge, so I’d ordered in for breakfast.

I promised my friends I’d update them on the Dominic situation and hung up. I crossed the living room and opened the front door, expecting to see the delivery guy with my açaí bowl.