Page 42 of Temptation
“Fuck that.” His eyes glittered. “Fuck you.”
“You almost did. Last night.” Why, why had she said that? Maybe because her own temper was stirring. Look, she got that she was destroying the guy’s world. But, dammit, he was hurting her.
How had he gotten the power to hurt her so quickly?
“Good thing we stopped. Saved us both from making the worst mistake ever.” He pointed at her. “Stay the hell away from me.”
It felt like he’d just shoved a knife into her heart. “I want to help you!”
He spun away. Stormed for the door.
“Preston!” The stupid table was too heavy. She couldn’t drag it with her to the door. “Wait! Don’t leave me!”
But he did. He ripped open the door and left her cuffed.
The door shut. Didn’t slam. Just shut. Quietly.
“That went well,” she muttered.
Don’t leave me.
Chapter Twelve
She knows. She knows. She knows…
Sloane had stared at him with such utter certainty as she told him that his father was a serial killer. A killer who’d tried to murder Preston.
No, she doesn’t think he actually wanted me dead. He just wanted Preston…
To be like he was. A killer. Sadistic. Monstrous.
Sloane was absolutely right in her suspicions. Dead on, in fact.
Preston’s hands fisted, and he wanted to drive one through the nearest wall. His chest heaved as he rushed away from the conference room.
“Uh, oh. Who just kicked your puppy?”
He came face to face with Atlas Bennett.
Atlas tilted his head to the right. “For someone who cheated death last night, you certainly don’t look pleased.” His attention shifted to the room behind Preston. “Would that fury have anything to do with the woman who is being unjustly detained in this sheriff’s station?”
“Get out of my way.”
“No.” Atlas smiled at him.
“You do not want me as an enemy.” He’d heard all the stories about Atlas, and he didn’t give a shit. He had just as much money, just as much power, and the day he’d fear this prick in front of him?—
Atlas laughed. “Why not? I have tons of enemies. If the list gets too short, I start to feel unpopular.”
Okay, fine, he’d deck the dumbass. Preston was more than in the mood for some violence.
Like father, like son.
But Atlas’s laughter faded. “Sloane isn’t your enemy.”
“Oh, really? Tell me more. Wait, let me guess. Is she my savior? The woman to pull me from the darkness? Is she the person who is going to stop me from becoming a fucking monster?”
Atlas edged closer to him. “In danger of that, are you? Those dark urges growing inside you? Better learn to channel them, my new enemy. A word of advice—either you control them, or they will control you.”
