Page 65 of Make Me Bleed

He still has full and total control over me.

“I’ve never had a choice when it comes to you,” Abel finally rasps, and I release the breath I’ve been holding, nearly choking as oxygen fills my lungs once more. The relief is instant, and I’mdizzy with it. Just as I lean down to slam my mouth to his, he blurts out, “But…”

“What?” I say, distracted. My heart is racing, and I’m sweating. This is really happening. Abel’s here, and he… fuck. He agreed with me, and it’s amazing, and it’s all going to be okay… maybe. But maybe it can be.

“You don’t like what I do for a living,” Abel says bluntly, and everything goes cold inside me.

“What?” I repeat, deadpan, as the realization settles. Flashes of Abel with that man in the car. Telling him I’m no one, on his knees for him. Mouth open, taking it good for someone that’snot me.

Fuck.

“What do you mean?” I ask, deathly quiet, hoping I’m wrong.Needingto be wrong.

A long pause. And then, “You know what I mean, Peris.”

“Abel. Please tell me you’re fucking joking.”

“Why the hell would I be joking, Peris? You already knew?—”

I shove away from him with a growl, yanking my hand through my hair. “I thought?—”

“What?” Abel leans back on his elbows from where I shoved him back, acting casual like we’re not discussing something so explosive. “You think because you’veclaimed meagain that I’m just going to stop seeing my clients? I need the money, Peris.” Herollshis motherfucking eyes.

My heart is about to beat right out of my chest, and I’m going to choke on it. “Why?”

“Why? That’s none of your goddamn business.”

I take a step toward him. “Isn’t it?”

“No,” he snaps and sits up, crossing his arms over his chest. “It’s not.”

“You said I’veclaimed you.So, by your words…”

“You know that’s not what that fucking means,” he snarls, lip curled. “Back off.”

I step toward him again. “No.”

“Peris…”

“What are you going to do about it, runt?”

Abel huffs and shoves to his feet, and the next thing I know, his not-so-little fist is coming toward my face and making contact with my jawbone. My head snaps to the side as he punches me, and I stumble backward from the unexpected impact. I bring my hand up to my face, cupping my jaw where he hit me.

“What the fuck?!” I shout, staring down at the man in front of me, who’s cradling his hand and heaving.

“What? Didn’t think I was gonna fuckin’ do it? I’ll hit you again if you keep pushing me, Peris.”

I pop open my mouth and extend my jaw, surprised at the ache I feel. For a small dude, he sure can fucking hit. The faintest trace of blood lingers on my tongue, and I swallow the metallic taste down, shuddering against it as I stare down at Abel’s small, heaving form in front of me.

He refuses to meet my gaze as he stares off somewhere beside me, and that pisses me off just as much as it turns me on.

“Who the fuck are you?” I gape at him.

“Someone you used to know.”

CHAPTER 16

ABEL