Page 54 of Foxx
I’m unable to stop the convulsions racking my body. My heart is beating so fast it feels out of control.
“And now, you’ve wronged me. You lied to me, after I explicitly told you not to. Mia Crawford doesn’t exist. No phone number, no address, no Social Security number.”
His grip comes back to my face then slides down to my throat and squeezes tight.
“At first, I thought you were sent here by the mob.”
Who?
“But now I know you’re a fucking spy. What you’ve told my rival club might dictate whether you live or die.”
Drool pools in my mouth as I’m too afraid to swallow with the blade pressed to my throat. “I’m not a spy,” I whisper. His eyes harden.
“You’re a woman who is close enough with a rival club to wrap her arms around one of itsmembers, in the middle of fucking Main Street.” His voice is deep, devoid of emotion. Right now, Aiden Foxx is a stone-cold killer.
My thoughts are clear as I remember the last time I was on Main Street. After Nic was delivered to Cress Funeral Home, Mason and I met there to discuss cremation arrangements. Robby and Flipp came with us for support, and Mason and I hugged outside before parting ways.
“How do you know—?”
“Local Police, ATF, the fucking DEA, any organization that wants to get their dick wet in our lives watches the Houndstoo. They’re almost always surveying them, just like they do us. Those photos are added to a database. Easily found when you know how to look.”
A sob I’ve been holding back breaks free from my chest, pushing my skin against the smooth blade.
“So,Mia, you have one chance to tell me who you really are.” He shrugs. “If I don’t like the answer, I’ll slice you cunt to tongue and let you bleed out right here, and that’ll be the fucking end of you.” He’s seething, and maybe I imagine it, but I swear I see a flicker of regret.
I look up at him, remorse and tears in my eyes. Even knowing I might die, I can’t give in to him. “You’re going to kill me anyway. Does it matter what I tell you now?” I say through clenched teeth.
“I’ll only ask you once. Are you a fucking cop?” His voice booms.
“No…” I breathe out shakily. “Not yet.”
Aiden’s eyes move from rage to reason. I watch them heat and cool, and it fascinates me even now, on the brink of death. Miraculously, he drops the blade from my throat, and his hands come down to rest on the arms of my chair, caging me in. This is the first look I get at the blade. It’s as thin as a razor and at least eight inches long. The end is curved and deadly looking.
“Explain.”
“Iamin school—that wasn’t a lie—but not for editing.” I take a breath as best I can. “My majors are forensics and criminology.”
“So, you’regonnabe a fucking cop?” he spits out.
“No,” I cry. “Aninvestigator. I have no interest in reporting your club or your crimes.”My brother’s club is just like yours.“I want to work in a special victims division, to helppeople who have been sexually assaulted.” The drug is working now, because there’s no holding back as I look up at him. My thin black straps have drifted down my shoulders and my chest heaves, nearly exposing my breasts, the low droop of the neckline showing him ample cleavage.
He grits his teeth, looking down to my lips, and I seize my chance. He doesn’t want to kill me. I have to believe that, and if I can get out of these zip ties, I might have a fighting chance to escape. I’ll run twenty miles if I have to. I won’t die at this monster’s hands.
“Untie me,” I beg. “Please, my hands are numb. Treat me like a human being, and I’ll tell you everything you need to know.”
“You’ll tell me anyway.” He studies me, thinking. Always thinking.
I look around. “Where the fuck am I going to go that you won’t catch me? Please, Aiden.” I say his name softly, looking up at him in one final plea. “It hurts so much.”
He brings his knife up, and I brace myself, closing my eyes. But I’m surprised when he severs the tie on my ankles first and blood rushes back to my feet. I flex my toes and sigh, releasing another sob. I ache to kick him in the face with my throbbing feet, but I don’t dare.
He moves behind me. The heat of his body surrounding me blurs that line of want and rage once again as he cuts the tie from my hands and they immediately tingle and burn with life.
Aiden moves to his knees before me, focused on the angry red marks on my wrists as I bring them to my lap. His brows furrow deeply, almost as though it bothers him, even though he was the one to inflict the damage.
Unable to stop the words as they bubble up, I take a deep breath. I have no choice but to tell him everything he wants to know and pray again that somehow, some way, he’ll let me live through this night.
Chapter 31
