Page 35 of Run, Little Rabbit

I do as Veon says, holding his gaze as I breathe with him.

“That’s it,” he encourages softly, and I feel my heart beat slow down to a dull thud.

We stay like that for a few moments, just breathing, until my mind quietens and I feel like I’m back in control.

My tongue darts across my bottom lip; it wasn’t even sexual, just a nervous tick, but Veon’s gaze drops to my mouth for a fraction of a second before a blush creeps up the side of his neck.

His hands drop from my cheeks like they’ve been scorched, and I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face. Tormenting Veon is definitely one of my favourite pastimes because he’s just so easy to rile up. I don’t know why I let him get under my skin so much. Any other straight guy I’d have written off by now, butVeon… it’s those eyes. So full of pain and sorrow, defiance and anger. And it’s the moments like this, when he forgets to hate me just for a second, that have me coming back for more.

I know he’s wrapped up in Echo, but is it wrong that I want him to be wrapped up in me instead? Man, this guy is gonna break my heart, isn’t he? I should just leave him be and move on, but I can’t take my eyes off him. He thinks he’s broken, but he has no idea how strong he really is. Hefascinatesme.

Hell, maybe I just like a challenge.

“You gonna tell me what’s happened to Echo, or are you going to kiss me?” I murmur.

His nostrils flare, and it’s like he remembers where he is and who he’s supposed to be. The mask of the stone-cold bodyguard slips back in place, and he steps back, his scowl descending over those hard as flint baby blues. That permanent scowl twisting that pouty mouth shouldn’t be sexy, but on Veon, it’s fuckingdevastating.

“You’re a real jackass, you know that?” He snarls.

I smile. “Only for you, sugar.”

“Want me to show you how quick I can put a bullet in your kneecap?”

“Promises, promises, baby.”

“Fuck you.”

“If you want,” I say with a shrug, because let’s be honest, I’d be down for that.

“Can you track Echo?” he asks gruffly, forcibly changing the subject.

I chuckle but follow his lead. I’ve probably pushed him a little too far considering he’s still worked up over his fiery little redhead. “No, but I can probably figure out where Maxim is holding her.”

“Well, do that then.”

I roll my eyes and saunter over to my computer setup. “You know, you’re a stick in the mud.”

“Just fucking do it, Sphinx.”

I have to grit my teeth. I get that he’s pissed and whatever, but he doesn’t need to talk to me like I’m shit on the bottom of his fucking shoe. “I managed to break into Bennie’s phone.”

“Good.”

I shake my head. No ‘thank you’ or ‘well done’. What the fuck am I even doing here? Maybe I should put into action that escape plan I have in my back pocket. Fuck the whole world, the Quinns and Veon with his beautiful fucking pouty mouth. Maybe I should just disappear. It’s not as if I’m appreciated here. Well… that’s not entirely true. Echo has never undervalued me or my skills. It’s probably why I’ve stuck around for so long. That and the fact that the Quinn name affords me some hefty protectionandI can live under the radar here.

“Did you find anything?” Veon asks gruffly.

“I’ve only scratched the surface. That phone is a fucking goldmine.”

He mutters something under his breath which sounds suspiciously like a string of curse words. “Can anyone else access the data?”

I swivel in my seat and fix him with a flat stare. “The fuck did you just say?”

His scowl deepens, and my dick twitches.

“I was just checking.”

“Well, don’t.” I snap. “If you don’t have anything useful to say you can fuck off.”