Page 89 of Cain

Landon snaps. “Oh, you little skunk?—”

He moves to grab her, but I block him with an arm, not even looking his way.

“Whoa, whoa. Let’s not repaint the alley with her teeth just yet.”

He growls under his breath, and she’s still standing there like she’s won something.

She has no idea she’s circling the drain.

And I’m enjoying every second of it.

She’s still wearing that smug little grin, like she thinks flipping off Landon bought her some kind of leverage.

Cute.

“You’ve got my attention. Congrats. That’s not easy. You gonna tell me why I shouldn’t let him turn your face into a smear on the pavement?”

“Uhm …”

I cock my head. “What’s the master plan, pumpkin?” I clasp my hands in front of me. “C’mon. Impress me.”

“I need money.”

Landon barks out a laugh before I can react.

“Money?” I raise a brow.

Her eyes dart between us. “I want money, so I don’t go to the cops, and they don’t shove you both in a cell.”

“Oh, you want to blackmail me. Kinky.” I smile broadly before dropping into a solemn expression, reflecting my true anger. “You think flashing that ratty little backbone in this alley makes you dangerous?”

Landon’s grin spreads like wildfire. He’s already picturing what he’ll do to her.

“Cops don’t scare me, love. I’ve dumped bodies in places so deep even God gave up looking.”

I take one more step closer, watching her so-called attitude fall away.

“I wipe them out like they never fucking existed.”

Closer.

“And no one even comes looking.”

Closer.

“You just handed me a reason to make sure you never open your mouth again.”

“I’m sorry,” she mutters, trembling again.

“I didn’t catch that.”

“I’m sorry!” she says louder.

I don’t talk, letting my silence swallow her whole.

“I hope I made myself clear.”

She nods sharply.