Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 98755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
“Detective,” he says. The women at his sides giggle, but I pay them no attention.
“Was this you?” I point a finger over my shoulder.
“Come on now, Detective, you couldn’t possibly think I would reduce myself to something so simple as slitting a throat? If I were to ever seriously hurt someone, I think I’d just lose all control and it’d be a bloody fight to the death. I couldn’t imagine anyone who might push me to that point, though.”
My lips tilt up. Looks like he likes to dance on the outskirts.
“I’m just scared for everyone on the streets. How is our police force unable to do something about this? I mean, two bodies in two weeks. That serial killer is seriously invested,” he says.
Oh, I definitely think he could do this and possibly even worse. I see straight through his feigned innocence. He’s just as deadly as the rest of them, maybe even more so.
“Why are you here?” I ask.
Hawke looks at the two women as if that answers my question. “Are you saying it’s illegal for me to be here?”
Just then, a black Ferrari pulls up, and a commotion erupts as the crowd parts to let an angry-looking five-foot-nothing shortcake through. She looks furious, and she’s still wearing the dress I took off her only hours ago. Well, well, well, looks like I’m not the only one who has contacts, and I’m curious as to how she found out about the murder so quickly, or perhaps it has more to do with her cousin taunting a detective at the side of a crime scene.
Hawke seems wildly pissed to see her here, and my grin kicks up.
“Miss me that much you decided to track me down?” I ask her arrogantly.
“I think you need to research the definition of ‘miss.’ I’ve got my father on hold. If you’re trying to press charges or something like that, we’ll call in Rya Monti immediately,” she threatens.
I can’t help but be impressed by the little shortcake who will fight for her family. Maybe even kill for them. The very same family she betrayed by sleeping with me. And, oh, how that must irk her right now. I love having that leverage over her, dangling it like a piece of fruit, waiting for her to snatch it and throw it away. Waiting to see how she’ll try to throw me away… because we are anything but done.
“I was simply asking a few questions,” I say. “But, yes, one might say it’s a coincidence that two bodies were found close to the same place, and he’s been here both times.”
She huffs out a breath, folding her arms over her chest. “Aren’t you tired?”
“No. Want to go for round two?”
Hawke steps forward, abandoning his women, but Hope is quick to step in between us.
“What the fuck did you just say to her, pretty boy?” Hawke growls.
Fucking hit me. I dare you. Please fucking hit me.
“I was simply offering—”
“Enough!” Hope cuts me off and stares at me with the ferociousness of a lioness. My skin prickles with excitement. Such a small package for so much untapped violence. “Hawke, get in the car.”
“But he—” The words die on his lips when he sees her expression. “Yes, little red.” But then he turns back to me. “But if I see you again, motherfucker, you better run the other way.”
“Are you threatening a detective?” I ask with a cocky smile.
“Enough!” Hope shoves at Hawke. “And, no, your women are not coming.”
All the violence bleeds from Hawke as he whips his head in her direction, baffled. “Ugh, you’re killing me, little red.”
He heads for the car as she squares up with me. “Whatever game you’re playing, you only play with me. Keep my family out of it.”
I can tell my smirk is pissing her off. “I never took you for the jealous type.”
“I never took you for the stupid type. They will kill you,” she warns.
I place my hand to my heart. “Aww, that almost sounds like you care.”
She scoffs and tosses her hair over her shoulder. “I don’t. I just don’t want anyone else interfering with my prey.”
“Are you threatening a detective?”
Her blue eyes dance with mischief, but she says nothing as she turns and sways her hips seductively as she walks back to her car. My cock twitches, recalling that she’s not wearing any panties.
Lucas comes up to my side, watching as they leave. “They’re involved. They have to be.”
“I told you they’re quick on these types of things.”
“You think it’s her?” Lucas asks. I turn to face him, masking the lethal edge of my gaze. I don’t like him sniffing after her. “I mean, she’s an Ivanov. It’s likely. And the expression on your face is the same one you get when you think you’ve found a lead. Should we investigate her further?”