Page 33 of Lethal Vengeance

“You’d better go before Armando pulls on your chain,” she advises him, her voice devoid of all emotion.

Rodrigo gives an excited, high-pitched laugh. “You’re absolutely perfect. Soon, we’ll be able to spend some time together. I’ve got a special place picked out.”

He passes me in the hall and heads for the stairs.

Quinn’s face turns to me, death lingering in her eyes.

With careful movements, I lean on the wall beside her. “If Rodrigo knows you’re here, we should move you up to our place.”

She flips the knife in her hand over and over.

The darkness inside lifts its head to watch her, intrigued by someone who seems to match with it. But my body instinctively tightens to defend itself against the predator it senses nearby.

“Why?” she asks with a frown. “After the mission, you’ll be gone. I’d rather be on my home turf when he comes calling. He doesn’t know it, but I’ve got plans of my own for him.” Her head tilts. “I’ve got to go. Zane is waiting for me.”

Is she back to normal? “Look at me,” I order her.

Empty green eyes turn toward me.

Zane won’t take her anywhere if she shows up in this state. “That’s what I thought,” I murmur. “You know I’m not going to hurt you, right?” When she lifts a shoulder, I decide to take that as a yes. “Put the knife away.”

Her fingers caress the blade, like she’s saying goodbye to an old friend, before she slides it into the side pocket.

“You should really switch up where you hide it on your body. Being predictable gets you killed,” I admonish her. “Zane is waiting downstairs in the car.”

She takes a step to leave, but I grab her wrist.

Her body tenses.

“I want a kiss,” I state firmly, hoping to shock her mind out of its current state. “I’ve been wanting to taste those killer lips of yours for a while. I bet you’ve already kissed Cruz, Sterling, and Zane.”

“Not Zane,” she interjects, but there’s an intrigued note to her voice.

Interesting. “It’s the age thing, isn’t it? Zane never gets the girl,” I state with a chuckle. “All the women fall for Lord Sterling. Handsome, rich bastard. Or for Cruz’ brooding.”

She eyes me curiously, and I’m relieved to see full awareness in them again. “My guess is you get all the girls, but you’re too picky to want them back.”

Amused by her reply, I shake my head. “No, I never get the girl either.”

Her eyes travel from my head to my toes and back. She snorts.

“They don’t like me because I scare them. When they see a killer looking back at them, they run and hide,” I whisper, purposely allowing myself to turn colder. “Want to see?”

Her eyes meet mine, but instead of the usual fear, she’s entranced. Slim hands cup each side of my jaw, then she turns my head from side to side. A sigh escapes her pink mouth, and a second later, she pulls me down for a kiss.

Soft, pouty lips cling to the outside, while her tongue sweeps inside to taste and sweetly suck on mine. Sensual and unhurried, she kisses me like she’s got forever in the palm of her hand.

It makes me want to consume her. Tamping down the beast inside, I continue to let her lead this kiss.

A horn honks several times, each one angrier than the last.

With regret, I pull back and place a sweet kiss goodbye on her lips. “Go, Zane is waiting.”

She tilts her head, assessing me in a new light, but I keep my expression neutral. “I get… lost… sometimes. Thank you for bringing me back.”

When she’s gone, I stare at the empty space in front of me, wondering what the hell just happened.

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