Page 77 of Arranged Addiction

“Let her fucking go.” I keep my gun steady. Tears roll down Casey’s cheeks. I hate that she’s so scared. But I keep my aim trained right on Senesi’s skull.

Can I kill him before he stabs my wife?

“You know the funniest bit? This boring fucking bitch wandered right into my trap. She came to me. Isn’t that hilarious? The stupid, naive cunt practically tilted back her head and begged me to cut her throat. It was almost too easy. Now you’re making it fun.”

“I won’t ask again. Let her go, Senesi. She’s not yours.”

His lips twist into a snarl. “You’rewrong. She’sfucking mine. Her parents ruined me, don’t you get it? I’ve been hiding away in shithole countries, bouncing around between worthless jobs,wasting myself all because I knew the Feds would come after me if I ever set foot in America. But then I heard little baby Casey Brennan was tangled up with Declan Whelan, and you know what? I couldn’t help myself. I thought I’d better come finish what I started and bury her whole worthless fucking family.”

“Last chance. Let her go.”

“Now you get to play hero. Big, strong Declan. My dick’s hard right now. You’re so tough and strong. Look at how much you care. It’s so fucking delicious. But here’s the thing. I’ve really enjoyed myself these last weeks. It’s nice to have a purpose again. So I’ll do everyone a favor and keep the fun going, how’s that sound?”

I’m inches from going for the kill when he shoves Casey forward. She screams in surprise and stumbles ahead. I try to get a good angle on Senesi, but the old fucker’s fast. He darts away, using the alley’s dumpsters as cover, and scrambles around the corner as Casey staggers and drops to her knees.

There’s a half second when I consider going after him. If I can catch him now and kill him, that’ll end all our problems. But Casey’s crying, and I can’t stand the thought of leaving her alone.

“It’s okay, baby, it’s okay.” I shove my gun away and pull her into my arms. Her body shakes with sobs. “I’ve got you now.”

“It was him,” she whispers. “I can’t believe I was so stupid.”

“This is what he does. It’s the reason he’s so terrifying. Senesi’s a master of sneaking and surprise. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

I guide her out of there before the killer decides to come back for another round. We reach my car right as Seamus pulls up with awhole truck filled with Whelan guards. “Fan out, you might find him.”

But we both know that isn’t going to happen.

Chapter 26

Casey

I’m probably in shock.

I’ve never had someone threaten to kill me before. Much less shove a knife in my back.

It wasn’t fun.

My face aches from where Senesi slammed me into that dumpster. I tried fighting back, but he was so fast and strong. I couldn’t believe it. He seemed like such a nice old man, totally harmless, maybe a little weird, but definitely not a threat.

Right up until he transformed into a monster.

Running saved my life. If I had stayed there in front of that diner, I think Senesi would’ve cut my throat then and there.

But he nearly got me anyway. The bastard caught up with me when I tried to lose him in the alley. I kept thinking to myself,this is where I die, this is how it all ends, right up until Declan came running around the corner.

Now I’m slumped against him as he takes me back to the house. He talks most of the way, trying to be as soothing as he can, andonly about half of what he says registers. I let him take me inside, up into the master suite, and don’t even argue when he starts to draw a bath.

“Let me look at you.” He shrugs off his jacket before sitting me on the edge of the tub. Slowly, methodically, he checks every inch of my body, from my forehead down to my toes. He prods so gently and lovingly, checking me for wounds.

“I’m okay, really,” I say softly, shivering still from the shock.

“You’ll have bruises on your cheek.” His jaw tightens, and I can tell how much that bothers him. “And he cut the back of your shirt.”

“Really? I didn’t notice.”

“Undress.”

I stare at him, heart racing, but there’s nothing overtly sexual about the command. He hesitates, but he turns away, giving me some privacy.