Page 15 of The Ruthless Note

“Finally.You’re back.” Vi charges into the living room the moment the front door clicks shut behind me. “Have you seen my… whoa. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” I force a bright smile.

“Long shift?”

“Not really. I think I’m just tired. I might still have a bit of the flu.”

“You should have stayed home andrestedlike I told you to.” She frowns at me.

“Yeah, I should have listened to you,” I admit.

Viola and I had a huge fight the night I went to the gig in the park. Things were strained between us for a few days after, but the cold has slowly been thawing as hurt feelings were laid to rest.

“Should I make you tea or something?” She offers hesitantly.

“Do you know how to make tea?”

“Not really. But it shouldn’t be too hard, right? It’s just leaves and water.”

“Thanks, but I think I’ll feel better after a shower.” I kick off my shoes and pad to the hallway. Then I glance back. “What were you saying when I walked in?”

Her expression shifts to befuddled annoyance. “I can’t find my necklace. The one dad left me before he died.”

“Did you take it out of the jewelry case?” I wonder.

“I think I wore it for a video, but I’m sure I put it back.” Her nose scrunches. “It’s, like, the most valuable thing I own. I’d hate to lose it.”

“You didn’t leave the house with it on, right? So that means it’s somewhere in here. Let me just shower real quick and I’ll help you look.” I grab a pair of shorts and an old T-shirt from my bedroom and plod wearily down the hallway.

Once I lock the bathroom door behind me, I grip the sink and stare at the top of the faucet, lost in thought. Yet again, I lied to my sister about what I’m going through. She thinks I have the flu and, honestly, I wish I did. It would make my life so much easier.

Unfortunately, the issue that’s plaguing me isn’t a sickness. It’s a person. A tall, imposing bastard with stunning amber eyes and a body sculpted to perfection.

My heartbeat quickens just thinking about Dutch. When he had me pressed against the wall, I could feel him—every ridge of his abs, every hard plane of his chest andmore.So much more.

I hate him.

I do.

With every breath in my lungs.

But hating him and desiring him don’t seem to be mutually exclusive. As much as I wanted to bite and kick and scratch him today, I also wanted his hands roaming all over me. I wanted his mouth to tease my lips. I wanted all the dirty promises trapped in his volatile eyes.

He growled at me and I melted.

He grabbed me and I panted.

In spite of all attempts to stay strong, I couldn’t hide how much I liked it.

He’s dangerous.

I knew that. I’vealwaysknown that.

But if I can’t get my stupid hormones under control, he really will manage to break me. I refuse to allow that to happen.

Tainted memories and lust aren’t enough to erase all the horrible things Dutch has done. We might be drawn to each other like overcharged magnets, but it’s a path that ends in destruction for one of us.

Mine or his.