Page 35

When I initially got to Paris, the first thing I did was get in touch with the Irish. “Our deal is over,” O’Rourke told me, his voice chilling. “Don’t call again.” I’m told The Undertaker had my name scourged from their files as well.

I know it’s not personal. It never was.

That’s the problem.

What now?

I could flee to the depths of the earth and change my whole identity.Again.But I wasn’t created for a nomadic existence, moving from place to place and never putting down roots. I have no friends and a list of enemies a mile long.

I set the glass down so quietly it doesn’t even clink.

The front door is locked, as useless as that is. But I canfeelhim. And just as before, I can hear him breathing. My skin prickles, and my stomach flips.

Why does he say I’m his?

My thighs clench because I know what’s coming, and a sick, twisted part of mewants it.

I take a step toward my bedroom, treading lightly, listening for any sound that he’s near, and the second my foot touches the cool wooden floor, a hand clamps over my mouth.

Hot. Rough.

Familiar.

I grin around the calloused palm.

Oh, hello.

His other hand slides around my waist, jerking me back against him as my ass is pressed to the thick line of his cock. Already hard. Already hungry.

“Little brat.” He breathes in my ear, his voice a low purr that drips down my spine. “I wanted to see where you’d go while I cleaned up my job.”

I lick his palm, causing him to flinch, but he holds me tighter.

Did he like that?

I bite his palm hard enough to taste copper.

Growling, he spins me, shoving me onto the bed, where he pushes my head down hard.

“You like blood, Anissa?”

“Depends.”

“You think you’re funny.”

“I know I am.”

Flipping me to my back, he grabs my jaw roughly in his palm and kisses me… hard. Punishing. Teeth against mine, fingers digging into my throat until I’m gasping. His tongue fucks my mouth with possession.

I want to fight him.

I want to fuck him.

I want to slit his throat.

So naturally, I kiss him back.

When we break apart, we’re panting. I feel the smear of his blood across my chin from where I bit him.