Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 144908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
Ambrielle glanced quickly over to the others to see how they had fared. Torpedo Ink had just as quietly disposed of those men as well. The bodies lay on the floor. In the dim light, it was difficult to make them out.
“Would you like to tell me what you’re doing out here, Ambrielle?” Master loomed over her. His eyes seemed even darker than usual, and he looked intimidating as hell.
She rose slowly to give herself time to process what had just happened. “I came out to rescue you. No one was listening to me. I knew you were in trouble. Amanda gave me her bullshit story and I was afraid these idiots were going to kill you. She actually told me that was part of the plan. I wanted to strangle her, so I ran out of the restroom, looking for you. When I couldn’t find you, I knew you had to be outside. The big man, Destroyer, stopped me at the door, but then he was attacked, so I was able to get free to help you.”
She followed up her explanation with a faint smile, hoping that would help placate or appease that extremely intense look on his face that didn’t bode well for her.
“You came outside because you knew I was in trouble, so you thought you’d rescue me?” he repeated.
Ambrielle nodded, not liking the way he muttered the words as if he couldn’t quite comprehend what she said.
There was a snicker behind him coming from Savage. A burst of outright laughter came from Maestro. Destroyer stalked right up to her to stand shoulder to shoulder with Master. He didn’t look any happier than Master.
“You going to return my property?” His voice was that rough, low sound that was gruff and scary.
“What property?” Master asked.
“She stole my knife.”
There was instant silence, and Ambrielle was aware of all eyes on her. She sighed. “It wasn’t like he needed it. He was doing just fine defending himself, or I would have given it back or helped him. I thought Master might need it. Is it sacred or something? Did I break some kind of Torpedo Ink rule taking his knife?” She focused on Master. “You’re really going to have to go over all these rules with me.”
“She stole your knife?” Master repeated, shock in his voice.
“Oh, this is the best,” Maestro said. “She fucking stole Destroyer’s knife. Was it on him? Was he wearing it?”
“I could break your neck,” Destroyer said, throwing the threat out casually.
Ambrielle wasn’t certain if he was talking to her or to Maestro. Either way, she stepped closer to Master just in case. She was glad she hadn’t handed the knife over immediately.
“Might be worth it,” Maestro said. “Was it?” he persisted.
“Yeah.” Destroyer sighed and opened his jacket to reveal the scabbard. “She lifted it, and she got away from me.”
“You were a little busy killing someone,” she pointed out graciously, hoping to buy some points with him. She took the knife carefully and held it out to him. “I’m sorry if it was against the rules to take it, but I didn’t know it was sacred. I was just trying to rescue Master. You really should have listened to me.”
Master wrapped his arm around her waist. “Woman, you are insane. Certifiably insane. I didn’t need rescuing, but I appreciate that you would come for me. On the other hand, I’m a little upset that you would put your life in danger unnecessarily.”
“It wasn’t unnecessary,” she argued. “If you had been in trouble, then I would have been able to help you. You needed to communicate with me that you had a plan. That’s the point, hotshot. Communication.”
He nuzzled her neck and instantly hot blood rushed through her veins. She tilted her head just a little to give him better access.
“Did you call me ‘hotshot’?” his lips whispered against her earlobe, and then he caught it between his teeth and bit down.
She gasped as the little sting gave way to something else altogether. She always seemed to react to anything he did in a sexual way. “Yes. And you’re in such trouble for not letting me know you expected Amanda to betray me.”
“I did let you know.”
She was silent a moment, not because he was telling the truth but because he was leaning down, his breath warm in her ear, his body pressed tight against hers. Ambrie could feel the hard outline of his cock against her back, and right away, her body reacted. Goose bumps erupted. Nerve endings fired. Her blood went hot. She couldn’t quite catch her breath. She was back to the night of their wedding, where there were dead bodies all around them, and all she could see was Master.
“Stop distracting me,” she admonished. “Seriously. You should have told me, Master. I was worried sick about you.”