Page 23 of Massacre Monday

“This ring any bells?”

“That’s mine. Andnota weapon.” Like a feral beast, she claws at my fist, trying to get it back.

“I would be very careful about how you treat a judge.”

It’s a long moment of her stillness, as if she’s considering something. “Youarethat guy from the waterfall.”

A low chuckle attempts to escape my belly. “What do you mean? What guy?”

With both hands, she shoves my chest hard, but I don’t move. “Asshole! You made me think you were going to kill yourself!”

I reach across the space between us and stroke a thumb over her heated cheek, still covered with black paint. “And you made me want to live. Basically, I owe you my life.”

“Fuck you!”

“Is that any way to treat someone who almost plunged to their death?”

“I can’t believe I fell for it. You made me…”

“Made you what?”

Choking out a breath, she hesitates. “Made meblowyou.”

The memory alone is enough to send blood surging to my cock. “Seems like you enjoyed yourself. Want me to repay you?”

She takes a step back and trips over the shrub, but I grab her arm to prevent her from falling. “What? No!”

“Fine. I guess you’ll enjoy your punishment on Sin Sunday, then. Think they’ll flog you naked in front of everyone? If so, I’ll be in the front row, my P.I.C.”

“Why do you call me that? What does it stand for?”

“My partner-in-crime. I mean, youcouldbe, if you choose your path wisely here. Or…you can always get run through on Sin Sunday by the elders. Up to you.” Lowering my voice, I lean into her face and whisper, “Not to worry. Usually, they wearrobesso you don’t have to look at their saggy balls.”

That’s the thing that gets her. She stares at her feet for a pause, then swiftly checks over her shoulders. “We’re allowed to havekeys.”

“Not when they’re wielded as weapons.”

“I wasn’twielding?—”

“Listen, pink cheeks. I don’t want to hear the arguments. You can make them to the senate. So you can either come with me, and I turn you over to them to be dealt with on Sin Sunday. Or…”

A moment passes as she glances between my eyes. “Or what?”

“Or I can serve your punishment here and now. I’ll even take it easy on you, considering the other night.”

Her jaw drops. “No. Whatever it is, I’ll take the senate. I did nothing wrong.”

“You sure? Because ifIdiscipline you, you’ll enjoy it, I promise. But the old guys really don’t give a fuck. I mean, best-case scenario, you’ll just go to the confession booth glory hole and have to suck a dick. Cheer up, you’re a pro at that now.”

With a sneer, a huff comes from the back of her throat. “I think I’ll still take the official course of action because my case will hold up.”

“Mm, those plump lips keep talking. I kind of enjoy it. But you didn’t allow me to finish.”

I wait for her to settle and stare me down, then I continue.

“IfIdeal with you here and now, I’ll permit you to leave.” Holding up three fingers, I end with, “Scout’s honor.”

“You’d let me go?”