Page 32 of The Ruthless Note

“Is that any way to treat a customer, Brahms?”

On cue, flames shoot up from Frankie’s grill. I turn around, spying him through the window overlooking the kitchen.

Frankie personally assigned this table to me. There’s no way I can get out of this if I slap Dutch until every page in my notepad falls out.

“This isn’t Redwood Prep, Dutch. If you’re just here to make trouble, you should go.” The words are hot enough to scald. Not that Dutch shows any sign of being rattled.

His eyes go dark. He holds up two fingers. “Lesson Number Two. It doesn’t matter if we’re in Redwood Prep, in this diner, or on the freaking moon. You will always be at my mercy, Cadey.”

His tongue caresses the nickname like it’s something dirty and I lose my ability to breathe.

Nervously, I lick my lips. Dutch’s gaze hooks onto the sight of my tongue sliding against my mouth. His unrestrained attention sends a zip of adrenaline through my body.

When I feel my knees going weak, I slap my palm on the table and lean over him. “I think the smoke is getting to your head. The truth is you don’t own me, Dutch. Never have. Never will.” I jerk my chin down. “And that bothers you, doesn’t it?” I search his face. “The fact that you couldn’t have me…”

His jaw does a fascinating flex and release. With one hard glance from him, I know I’m dancing on the edge of a very dangerous line.

It doesn’t matter. I have to put up with him in the hallways of Redwood Prep. In the classrooms.

But not here.

This is my side of town.

This is my territory.

I smile tauntingly. “If you’re not hungry, then I suggest you leave—”

“Oh, I’m hungry.” His eyes slide down to my chest—which is practically in his face—before gliding down the rest of me. I feel his gaze like honey dripping on my skin.

He smiles sinisterly. “What's good here?”

I straighten and snap, “Your head on a platter.”

Zane snorts.

I barely notice. The tension between me and Dutch thickens until it turns into a hot, swirling mist.

“Off the menu, Brahms,” he says dryly.

I watch him lean back and get comfortable. My eyebrows knot. “You’re really not going to leave?”

“Not until I enjoy a meal.” He arches a brow. “Be a good little girl and I might even leave you a nice tip.”

I grind my teeth until I'm sure they'll turn into dust. “Screw you.”

A cruel smile spreads across his face even as another warning flashes in his eyes. “Don’t make a scene, Brahms. You don’t want me teaching you a lesson in front of your friend.”

When he nods behind me, I look back and notice that Hunter is watching the table intently. My head swings around and my gaze lands on Dutch again. In the monster’s eyes are a jealous possession.

That sheen of ownership annoys me at first.

And then a light bulb goes off in my head.

“Can you give me a minute?” I ask.

Dutch’s eyebrows rise in surprise.

As I hurry to the counter, Hunter half-hops out of his chair. A deep crease wrinkles his forehead. “Are those guys bothering you, Cadence?”