Page 8 of Iron Princess
For some reason, this is one piece of the bomb-dropping revelations I’m having the most trouble digesting. Right up there with the fact that hekillspeople. Of all the possible people in all the world, how is it that I end up banging a guy who kills peopleandknows my brother?
Seriously. This. Isn’t. Fair.
He nods, and it seems he’s back to his man-of-few-words persona.
“How long?”
“Long enough.”
I stare at him harder, like if I had the ability to shoot laser beams from my eyes, they’d be glowing red right now. “And you knew who I was the whole time?”
His face is completely impassive now. “Does it matter?”
Is he insane?
“Yes, it goddamned matters. I thought I was having some wild fling with a hot stranger, and I find out I’m banging my brother’s friend!” His lips quirk like he’s trying not to laugh, and my rage from earlier returns. “Don’t you dare smile at me.”
“Hot stranger, eh?”
“Shut up. This isn’t funny.”
“But you’re so fucking sexy when you’re furious. If I’d only known ...”
“You would’ve told me who you were and pissed me off sooner?”
The mirth in his expression evaporates. “No. If it were up to me, you never would’ve known.” His gaze intensifies. “I knew then I never should’ve touched you.”
“Then why did you?”
His stare rakes over me, and as pissed and scared and confused as I am, I can’t help but feel the rising heat. I force it away to focus on what really matters.
“I don’t understand any of this. You’ve gotta break it down for me. Why would someone want to kill Rafe?”
“We need to move this conversation elsewhere. Somewhere safer.”
This throws me for a loop. “What do you mean?”
“Pack your bag, princess. You’re coming with me. Your boss’s orders. Or should I say,theboss’s orders.”
He doesn’t have to explain who he’s talking about, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to take him at face value either. I’m finally starting to understand this man is anything but what he seems on the surface.
“Don’t expect me to believe a damn thing you say to me ever again.” I snatch up my phone and turn to head for the bedroom.
Why did I turn my back on a killer?
I spin around, keeping my gaze locked on his face as I walk backward, my other arm stretched out behind me, feeling for my bedroom door. I shove it open and slip inside, never breaking our stare.
“Go ahead. Call her. Trust, but verify.”
“Trust? That’s rich.” I push the door shut, cutting off my view inch by inch.
My mouthwateringly sexy view.His hair is ruffled from rolling around on the floor with me, and his collar is open.
No, Temperance. Stop. You are not interested.I laugh to myself. Even I don’t believe me. Then I remind myself he’s a hit man.Sobering.
I tap Keira’s contact and wait for her to pick up.
“Did he find you?” she asks instead of a greeting.
