Page 54

With heavy feet, I carried her around the building and went in the back entrance. Her attempts to hurt me did nothing, she could hit me all she wanted, and in the back of my head, I was hoping she would eventually just burn herself out.

Was I an asshole? Yes.

Was I a killer? Yes.

But was I a fucking monster? I guess that would depend on who you asked.

Taking a moment to look around, the hall was clear, so I carried her over to the door that led to the stairs. The elevator was an easier option, but that's what everyone used to get around. And I wasn't about to risk being seen like that. The last thing I wanted to deal with were the police at my door.

Climbing up four flights of stairs, I stuck my head out the door before heading into the empty hall. Berlin wriggled like a caterpillar, her body bending and rolling, rocking and flopping.

“Knock it off, you're not helping yourself here, you're just making it more difficult than it has to be. I'll fucking tie your ass up if I have to.”

“Grrr,” she groaned, my little threat seeming to feed her fire instead of extinguish it.

Tightening my grip around her waist, I found my room. Digging the card out of my pocket, I bobbled her on my shoulder as I tried to get it to scan.

The small light blinked red, so I swiped again.

Red.

Red.

Red.

Swipe after swipe I was met with a red burst.

“This fucking card,” I growled, swiping it back and forth until I was almost ready to kick the fucking door open. Taking in a deep breath, I slowed my hand down, letting the card rest for a moment before pulling it away.

Green.

“Thank you,” I huffed out, throwing the door open.

I heard the door click shut behind us as I walked inside. Twisting, I locked the handle and flipped the top latch to make sure we weren't interrupted by any cleaning ladies or unwanted guests.

Walking to the bed, I dropped her on the mattress, hovering over her like a lion studying their next meal.

“Honey, we're home.” Smirking, I let my arms dangle by my sides.

Pursing her lips, she looked like she was about to burst at the seams. I could almost see the cuss words floating across her pupils as she glared up at me.

“Go on, call me an asshole, call me a fucking bastard, I know you want to.” Holding out my arms, I took a small step back. “Call me whatever the hell you want to if it will make you feel better.”

“There's nothing in this world that will make me feel better.”

“You're here, isn't that a little bit better than being there?”

“Better?” Shooting up on the bed, she let her legs hang over the side. “You buy me like this, you use me to get what you want from him, and I'm suppose to feel better?”

“No. I lost out because of this, I traded a lot of fucking money to get you here for the night.”

“Oh, excuse me,” she said, standing up and waving her hands in the air. “I'm so sorry that I lost you money, because I really give a fuck about you and your feelings and any money you're out now.” Her tone was dry, cynical, laced in a condescending heat I wasn't about to take.

“I suggest you watch how you talk to me.” Crooking my jaw, I let my eyes settle on hers. “Because I won't tolerate this bullshit.”

“What are you my fucking father now?” Rolling her eyes, she pushed her leg out as she folded her arms over her chest. “Are you going to punish me? Put me in time out? Or maybe you can just add to the bruises I already have?”

“I'm not going to hit you.”