Page 70 of Cain

His smile grows bigger, making the corners of his eyes crease just a bit. “Liar.”

I swallow. “Aren’t you afraid that someone will turn against you?”

“No.”

“How?”

He exhales slowly. “Because, little rose, I know a man who knows a man who knows a man, and so on.” He pulls my foot and drives it to his lips. “I don’t needto be careful,” he murmurs against my skin. “I’m untouchable. Everyone has a price, and when the time comes, they’ll betray, they’ll kill without hesitation. For the right amount, they’d even do it with a smile.”

“You sound …”

“Filthy? A bastard?” he interrupts, one brow lifting, amusement flickering in his dark eyes.

“Yes.”

“I am. But only to those who deserve it.”

“That guy didn’t deserve it.”

His expression hardens instantly. The amusement vanishes, replaced by something sinister.

“No one touches what’s mine,” he murmurs. “No one gets to speak to you like that. No one points a gun at you and lives to talk about it.”

He leans in. “Anyone who tries to hurt you doesn’t just cross a line,” he whispers, his lips brushing against the top of my foot. “They sign their death sentence. And I’ll make damn sure they feel every second of it.”

All this time, there’s one word haunting my mind. Why? Why me?

“You said you’re the reason I’m here,” I determinedly speak up.

“Mhm.”

“You mean in LA?”

“Yes.Iarranged your future.”

“Why?”

His dark eyes lift to meet mine. “To save you from them. And have you close to me.”

“Them, who? My parents?”

“It was the next best thing after murder.” He chuckles, lowering his eyes.

He sounds dangerous and dark. Like a man I should stay away from. Then why do I feel my cheeks flushing again?

I should look away. I should pull back. But all I do is stare, my breath shallow.

His eyes flick up to mine again, and for a moment, neither of us moves. Then, with excruciating slowness, he releases my foot and shifts forward, closing the space between us inch by inch.

“You’re blushing,” he murmurs, his voice dripping with satisfaction.

“No, I’m not!”

His smirk deepens. “Don’t lie to me, little rose.”

Before I can protest, his fingers skim up my leg, tracing the path along my thigh. By the time his hand reaches my waist, I’m trembling—whether from fear or something else entirely, I don’t know.

“I will protect you with my life,” he growls quietly, his eyes locked on mine.