Page 84 of Cain

My heart skips a beat at the confession, but he doesn’t give me much time to think about it.

He slowly kneels in front of me. His hands firmly grab my thighs as he spreads them and slides between them.

“You’re mine to protect,” he murmurs. His fingers trail up, tracing my jawline. “And I will protect you from everything, even if I have to burn it all to the ground. Even if I have to burn myself as well.” He leans in, his lips nearly brushing mine. “As long as it takes him first. As long as you’re safe.”

My lower lip trembles, but I can’t understand why. I don’t know if it’s fear or desire. I don’t know if I should be terrified of him, of what he’s capable of, or if I should crave it.

“I know I scare you,” he breathes, his thumb brushing tenderly against my cheek. “But being locked in here will keep you safe.”

“You don’t,” I whisper, my voice shaking.

“What?”

“You don’t scare me.” His lips form a faint grin against mine. “Not all the time.”

He slides hand to the back of my neck and grips it tightly.

“Good. Because you need to understand something.”

My heartbeat pounds in my throat. “What?”

“I won’t let anyone touch you. Not even for a second.”

I nod as if I agree with him. As if he doesn’t sound like a madman.

“You’re mine, little rose. All mine.”

The night is cold, but I need the speed right now.

I ride my black Ninja H2 through the streets of LA, pushing the limits and cutting between cars like they’re standing still.

Landon stays close on his bike. He knows better than to lose me.

It would be a good night to kill time at a bar, maybe get drunk enough to forget shit for a few hours. Fight someone, threaten a few scumbags, just for kicks—something to bleed the tension out.

But not tonight. I’m not out here to drink. Tonight, I have business.

Tonight, I’m meeting the fake-ass “friend.”

Theone who ran her mouth to the cops and put them on my doorstep.

I need to find out exactly what she said.

One way or another, I’m getting answers.

I sit on the bike and light a smoke. I want to take my time with it and enjoy it. I know she’s inside, and she’s not going anywhere. She’s too pathetic to walk away from a chance to screw with someone just because they dangled the word “photoshoot” in front of her like it’s gonna change her miserable life.

“You want me to go in first? Break a few things?” Landon asks casually, exhaling the smoke. I don’t respond; I just let the cigarette numb me for a while. “Hell, I’ll drag her out by the hair, if you want.”

“Not yet,” I say coldly, inhaling the cigarette. “Tonight, we try it the easy way.”

He snorts. “You’re kidding?”

“Do I look like I’m kidding?”

Landon, Landon … typical Landon. Kill first, ask questions never. Always needing a leash.

“But, boss?—”