Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 70417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
His eyes changed. They went from angry and cold, softening and showing a small glimmer of sadness. Then he blinked, and the coldness was back. Abruptly, he stood, grabbing my arm and pulling me up. “We’re taking her to the house.”
“Not a good idea.”
“I didn’t fucking ask your opinion. It’s happening.”
“She’s a complication.”
Gunman pushed me toward the other man. “No shit, she’s a fucking unexpected complication. But I’ll deal with it the way I see fit.”
I started to struggle, pleading with both of them. “No. Please. Leave me. I won’t say anything.”
They both laughed.
“She’s got a mouth on her.”
Gunman chuckled. “That she does.”
Terror filled me and I struggled harder, tears now streaming down my face, the air leaving my mouth in loud, panicked gasps. “No! Please!”
Gunman stepped closer. He pressed his hands against my cheeks, holding my face tight. “Calm down.” He leaned closer—so close, I felt his breath across my face. “You’re coming with us.” His voice dropped, so low I could barely hear him. “You’ll be safe, I promise.” He looked over my head. “Do it.”
I felt hands on my neck, and then the world went black.
Chapter 2
Cian
Rex strode into the room, his arms filled with plastic, stopping when he saw Skylar, his voice like gravel. “What the fuck, Tony?”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Never mind. Give that shit to Carlo. He’ll dispose of Mr. White.” Then I snorted. “Mr. White. You’d think the agency could come up with a better name.”
I walked over to the cardboard pile Skylar thought she’d been hidden behind. As if I wouldn’t notice the little structure in the corner? It hadn’t been there earlier when I’d checked the site, making sure it was set up properly, but what it contained had surprised me. I hadn’t expected the little spitfire I pulled out. Reaching in, I grabbed a small backpack and stood. There wasn’t much in it, but I couldn’t leave it behind. Going back, I leaned down, picking her up off the floor, her body limp in my arms. She was thin and dirty. I could see a couple bruises on her face and hands, no doubt from living on the streets. She was also brave and feisty—a combination I liked but could be a dangerous thing for her.
I shook my head, then glanced over at the body still on the floor, the blood around it seeping into the floorboards. “Carlo, clean this up. Now. Rex, you’re with me.”
“I should—”
“Carlo will handle it. That’s how we work. Now, get your fucking ass outside. I’ll drop you off at your car.”
He flung the plastic down and left the room.
I looked at Sean. “Exactly as we planned.”
He nodded toward the girl I was holding. “Good luck with that.”
I smirked as I made my way to the car. I had a feeling I was going to need it.
Skylar came to in the car as we drove through the dark night. She was groggy and disoriented, blinking at me from the back seat. As a precaution, I’d taped her mouth and tied her hands and feet. I wouldn’t put it past her to try to jump from a moving car. The ties weren’t tight, but I knew fear of them would keep her in place.
“Stay still, girl. You’re not going anywhere.” I smirked at her in the rearview mirror. I had also used the seat belt. She couldn’t really move.
Her eyes narrowed at me, and I knew without the gag, she’d be mouthing off.
My cell rang and I stifled a groan. I knew who was calling. I shot a look to Rex in the passenger seat, who, of course, ignored it, and I pressed Bluetooth.
“Yeah.”
“Rex tells me we have a guest.”
Simply the sound of that voice made me nauseous. I wanted to scream, shoot Rex beside me, then hunt him down and kill him.
But that wasn’t part of the plan.
I kept my voice neutral. “No. I have a guest. She is of no concern to you.”
“She shouldn’t be alive.”
“My decision.”
“I hired you to do a job, not add more problems.”
“As I said, she isn’t your problem. She’s mine.”
“You made her my problem. Kill her.”
I glanced at the back seat. Skylar’s eyes were closed, but I could see the tears running down her cheeks and her entire body shaking, her bravado crumbling.
“May I remind you that I don’t take orders from you? It’s my decision.”
“Rex will handle it. Let him take the girl.”
“No,” I spat through gritted teeth. “She’s mine. Nobody fucking touches her without me saying so.”
Orson’s voice became quiet, the tone all his enemies knew was the most dangerous. “And why is that?” he asked.
I forced my voice to be equally calm. “I have plans for her.” I looked back at her again, hoping Rex would think I was leering at her. “She’s got a smart mouth, and I like that.”