“You don’t get it.” He smiles and continues in a silken voice, blocking me on the right and left by putting his hands on the wall. “You can rule it all. You’re smart, and you got a real nasty streak in you that my queen needs. We could be something, you and I. We could take this entire city. But if you want to play it like that… that’s your call. Don’t matter. I’m going to fuck you as much as I want. I’m going to get the full complement of mouth, ass, and pussy. Then, whoever else I say deserves a taste of you is going to fuck you. You’ll be my reward for a job well done, you know what I mean? They fuck your mouth if they did something good. Fuck your ass if they did something great. Your pussycat, that’s reserved for me, you know?” He leans away from me, and I feel as if I can finally take half a breath. “If you don’t want to be a queen… that’s fine. But you aren’t a slave either. No, no. If you’re not my queen, you’re a business transaction.”

“You’re disgusting.”

“Only if you want me to be.” He backs down the hall, into the light. “Your choice, buttercup.”

He turns and saunters back into the Dome to complete his transaction.

My God, I hope Massimo kills him. For my sake.

Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21

SARAH

Behind the closed door, I undress. I’m glad I’m not wearing black to see Dario. I won’t be in mourning for this last consummation of our love. It will be a celebration of what he’s taught me and what I’ve unlearned. An acknowledgement of what he’s given and what he’s taken away. He gave me the tools to solve the problem of his captivity and the mortal threat to his life’s work. St. Easy will survive and thrive. There’s nothing to be sad about.

In the back of the closet, I find one of my mother’s old nightgowns. It flows over my points and curves with the deep pink of life, as if the soft, willing parts of me are made accessible to his eyes.

I put a coat over the nightgown, turn out the light, and lie in the bed.

When I am with him, I am not to speak, but I can tell him everything with our code.

I knew from the moment I made this trade that I would honor it.

If I make the shape of a warning, or hope, or a single piece of information about what’s about to take place, he’ll lose his mind. Massimo will know, and even if he trusts that I didn’t somehow tell my husband everything, Dario will do something drastic.

All bets will be off.

I can’t risk it.