Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78236 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78236 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
We walk a few blocks before I turn into an alleyway. It’s the most secure place I can find for dealing with a fucking hell hound who won’t give up the damn pursuit.
I see three shadows fall behind us when we step into the alleyway. That’s when I cross my arms and spin around, nothing but venom laced in my tone as I say his name, “Crue.”
“Princess.” He lights another cigar and casually slips one of his hands into his pocket. “You’ve been avoiding me.”
“Yeah, how nice of you to notice.”
“I sent you an email.”
“Numerous emails, actually,” I correct. “I’m busy with work. I can’t join you for your little escapade.”
He points the gun at Matteo, and my stomach sinks.
“What the fuck, man?” Matteo squeaks, lifting his hands.
“What are you doing?” I hiss, stepping in front of my client. My heels click against the uneven pavement. I shift my gaze to Dominic and the other guy flanking Crue, but they’re expressionless. Not even Dominic is showing any emotion now, and that’s highly unusual.
“Princess, you seem to have deleted my email again. Your presence is required. And if your client is dead, then you don’t have a case to manage.”
“You cannot be fucking serious,” I spit.
“Do you have any idea who my uncle is, man!” Matteo shouts over my shoulder.
“Shut the fuck up,” I tell Matteo, and he seems almost shocked.
“You seem rather coddled if your uncle hasn’t informed you of who I am.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake. We are not doing a pissing competition in this alleyway.”
“So I’ll pick you up tonight at eight? You really brought this upon yourself, princess.”
“What part of no do you not understand?”
He cocks a half smile. It’s beautiful, wild, and wicked. “Nobody says no to me. Not even you, wifey.”
“Wifey?” Matteo asks.
“I am not your wife! But that’s not the fucking point,” I scream. “You are so fucking frustrating, you know that?”
Crue shrugs nonchalantly. “Do you want that next fat paycheck or not?”
I narrow my gaze on him. I’m still standing in front of the boy as Crue takes deliberate steps toward me.
“You forget I can kick you in the balls. And I want to, really fucking hard right now,” I hiss.
That elegant smile remains as he tips the muzzle of the gun under my jaw. And I don’t know why, but I feel no fear, even though I know I should. There is something seriously messed up with me.
“You won’t shoot me,” I say confidently.
“No, but there are other ways to break someone.” His lips are a heated breath away from mine, and my thighs clench in anticipation. I could scream at myself with the frustration I am feeling. Why can I not pull free of this man?
“I will pick you up at eight. Don’t be late.” He kisses me, the gun still under my jaw as his tongue demands mine. My body leans into him as if this last week away from him was more a curse than a blessing. I pull away, yanking myself free of his magnetism.
Fuck, I hate that he knows everything I like.
He chuckles. “And don’t worry, princess. I have your new address.”
Crue turns to Matteo. “Good luck with the court case. I hope it buys you a few more days of freedom.”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” Matteo throws his hands in the air, and I pin him with a stare. Why is this kid so fucking dense? Does he really not understand when a predator has him cornered?
Maybe I should ask myself the same question.
Well, fuck.
Looks like I’m getting dressed up for an event after all.
CHAPTER 42
Rya
Beautiful.
That’s the word I would use to describe the dress and minor details that hug the shape of my body. It infuriates me to acknowledge Crue has good taste.
I’m late. Again. Purposefully.
I step out of the elevator and through the hotel lobby. Numerous gazes are on me as I hold my head high and walk toward the man that most cautiously avoid. He’s in a black suit with a black dress shirt beneath. His gaze rakes from my heels up until those molten brown eyes collide with mine. Crue licks his lips and looks like he’s ready to devour me right here, right now, and damn the consequences.
But instead, he says, “You’re late.”
“And you’re insufferable.”
His tension relieves slightly when he drops his shoulders as a devastating smile slowly spreads on his lips. I’m certain I am the only one who can be late and manage a smile from this man. No matter how cruel and cunning it is.
He holds out his elbow.
I ignore it and step toward his men. “So, where are we going?” I don’t even have to see to know he’s watching me. “Crue, stop staring at my ass. This is not that type of night.”
I hear his chuckle from behind me. Crue’s hand reaches around my stomach, pulls me into him, and his breath is hot against my neck. “But isn’t it always that type of night?”