Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 40446 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 202(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40446 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 202(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
“Not nice, Venus,” Piston growled beside my ear. “I’ll be punishin’ you for that little stunt.”
I gave him snort of derision. “You can try, baby boy.” I made sure to put as much of sneer into my voice as I could. I was highly skilled assassin. Sure, Piston was one hell of warrior, but he was no match for me. In few months he’d been glued to my side, I’d found he had many tells in battle. Killing him would be easy as taking candy from baby. And I would kill him. Soon. Any day now…
Chapter Two
Piston
Venus first turned up on my radar over a decade ago when she was in the FSB in Russia. The agency I worked for was very interested in her for some reason. I was never given the details, but I got the feeling they were interested in luring her away from Russia. Likely because they were afraid of her. I played my cards carefully regarding Venus. I told them the strict truth, but I left out a lot.
Like how I’d never seen her equal in a hunter. Or that that real shade of her hair was a very pale blonde. Or how young she looked when she let her guard down, which wasn’t often. Or how beautiful she was. I kept that to myself because I didn’t trust the CIA any further than I could piss. If they were interested in this woman, she was someone I needed to protect.
For years I kept to the shadows. When she joined Salvation’s Bane MC, I found a home with Grim Road MC. They were completely off the radar and close enough for me to keep an eye on Venus.
I had to smile. If she knew the extent to which I’ve been on her six and for how long, she’d gut me like a fish.
But that’s the thing about being in deep cover. You learn how to keep secrets, even from yourself. And Venus? She was one secret I’d vowed never to spill. Much to the dismay of my handlers. They knew there was more to her than I reported.
Tonight, as I held her pinned against me, feeling the rise and fall of her chest, the stakes felt higher than ever. Her anger and her fire were intoxicating, making every moment with her a volatile mix of danger and desire.
“Listen,” I whispered into her ear, my voice low and steady against the chill night air. “I’m not your enemy, Venus. I think you know that.”
“I know you are pompous ass.” She hissed at me over her shoulder, but I wasn’t fooled. If this woman wanted to be free, she’d be free. And I’d be lying in pool of my own blood.
Interesting.
“Glad to see my charm didn’t go unnoticed.”
She struggled in my hold a bit longer, then relaxed with a huff, her body still tense but no longer fighting. “You’re infuriating, you know that, Piston?”
“That’s part of my charm too,” I replied, the corner of my mouth lifting slightly. I loosened my grip just enough to let her know she could break free if she wanted. It was a test as much as it was a truce.
Venus turned within my arms to face me, her gaze fierce and calculating. She wasn’t afraid of me, she knew she could take me, but she wasn’t ready to kill me yet. Made me wonder why. One thing I’d learned about Venus over the years was she never did anything without at least a frame up of a plan.
With slow deliberate movements, she backed up one step. Then another.
“Is this a truce then?” I kept my hands to my sides but was ready to defend myself if necessary.
“I’m not sure.” She gave me a curious look, her gaze moving boldly over me. Then her brow furrowed. “I’m really not sure.”
“Then let’s call it a truce. We can always decide later to resume fighting.”
Venus’s lips twisted into a skeptical smile, but she nodded slowly. “Fine, truce for now. But don’t think this means I trust you, Piston. We’re not buddies.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” I replied, my voice low and even. Her distrust was like a sharp blade held at my neck, yet there was something exhilarating about not knowing when she might decide to slash. It was all I could do to keep from smiling. My cock didn’t care if she saw him or not and shot hard so fast I nearly winced. Thankfully, if she noticed, she didn’t mention it.
We stood in silence for a moment, the tension between us palpable. The night air was warm against my skin, and somewhere nearby an owl hooted, a solitary sound that seemed to emphasize the isolation of our current circumstances.
Venus finally broke the silence. “So, what now, Piston? We just stand here in dark staring at each other until one of us breaks?” There was a hint of amusement in her voice, a playful challenge I hadn’t heard before.