Page 27 of Dreadful

“No. You’ve been playing mind games for weeks. If you really didn’t like it, you would’ve told the director by now. You should be grateful I’m even interested in you with that hideous scar.”

He reaches for me, and I back up, ready to flee.

“Percy, no. Stop—”

“Don’t be so fucking dramatic—”

His gaze darts past me just as a large hand envelops mine. I squeeze it on instinct as it swiftly tugs me away from the pervert harassing me. My savior barely fits inside this small dressing room, and he blocks my view. Still holding one of his hands, I peer around his large frame and move with him as he steps forward and uses a cane to shove Percy against the wall.

Sev’s rough growl hits me right in my core.

“Shesaid…leave. Her.Alone.”

Scene 8

HE IS HER SHIELD

Sever

“Sev, wh-what are you doing here?” Tallie’s breathless whisper makes my cock twitch. I ignore it and focus on the rage flooding my veins. The razor in my pocket burns to be used on the motherfucker who dared to touch her, but my cane will do for now.

“L-let go of me, man. Shit, I didn’t realize she had a boyfriend.”

I don’t correct him, and pleasure warms my chest when Tallie doesn’t either.

“How many times has he touched you after you said no, Tallie?”

She huffs. “Too many times.”

“Once is too many times. Tell me how many times you really think it is, but don’t let him hear. I have a theory.”

“Why? What’re you going to do?”

Behind me, I squeeze her hand. On the outside, I’m furious, but inside, I’m also preening that she hasn’t pulled away from me yet. The fury and longing are a heady cocktail running through me.

“Just give me a ballpark,dolcezza. His life depends on it. If you don’t answer me, I’ll just take him out right here anyway.”

I push my cane against his throat for emphasis, making him squeal. She doesn’t beg me to let him go. Instead, she pauses.

Whether her hesitation is because she needs to think about her answer or because she wants to see if I’m bluffing, I don’t know. Pride fills my chest the longer she waits, though. It’s as if she knows that this guy’s life is in her hands, but she wants to sit back and enjoy the show.

My victim’s pale skin is white along the edges of my cane’s shaft. The rest of him is a darkening red, and he struggles to get a word out thanks to the crushing pressure on his windpipe. His eyes plead with hers, clearly not knowing her as well as he thinks.

A strained plea struggles from his throat. “Talia, please. Don’t tell him—”

His sniveling objection spurs her into action, and she stands on her toes to give me what I want.Cazzo, if I wasn’t interested in her before, her bloodthirsty submission would do it for me all on its own.

Still holding my hand, she uses her other to grip my shoulder for balance. Her lips brush the shell of my ear, and that same sugary, sweet scent I thought was just the bakery’s aroma fills my lungs now. My mouth waters as her warm breath whispers over my skin.

“At least ten.”

At least ten?Ten fucking times she had to tell thisfiglio di puttanato take his hands off of her. It’s unacceptable.

“Wh-what’d she say? She’s lying, whatever it is! I swear—”

“What’s your name,stronzo?” I relieve the pressure so he can squeak out an answer without rasping.

“Percy.”