Chapter 138: Her own doom
"And that, my dear Alex, is what I call a proper toast to a job well done," Riley declared, her voice laced with triumphant satisfaction.
A smirk tugged at her lips as she raised her wine glass, the deep red liquid swirling lazily under the dim glow of the chandelier.
Her caramel-hued fingers gripped the stem elegantly before she extended it toward Alex, who lounged casually on the couch opposite her, his posture relaxed but his gaze sharp.
With a slow, deliberate motion, Alex reached forward, his fingers brushing lightly against hers as he accepted the glass.
He brought it to his lips, taking a measured sip, savoring the rich taste before leaning back into the cushions. A deep chuckle rumbled in his chest.
"Well, we might as well indulge," he murmured, twirling the glass between his fingers. "After all, a little pleasure never hurt anyone."
Riley curled up in her seat, cradling her own glass between her hands, the cold rim pressing against her palm. A knowing smile danced across her lips, but something flickered behind her dark eyes—something unreadable, something unresolved.
"I could have done far worse to Angel," she mused, her voice soft yet laced with an unspoken edge. Her gaze lingered on Alex, watching for any subtle shift in his expression. "And you know that, don’t you?"
Alex’s lips parted as if to speak, but instead, he exhaled through his nose, offering nothing more than a tight, knowing smile before taking another sip.
"I know," he admitted, his voice quieter this time. "And I appreciate what you did. You gave us exactly what we needed. But, Riley..." He met her eyes, his tone turning almost cautious. "You’ve done enough."
For a fleeting moment, Riley allowed herself to bask in his words, the weight of his gratitude settling over her like a warm embrace. Yet, deep down, a part of her ached with unfulfilled desire.