Page 49 of Manic

Interesting. What was this investigator sent to take care of, exactly? Has my captive been lying to me? Little did Luka know, he just gave me a really good reason to sink my blade into a thigh.

I replied a quick, yes, and put the phone away before glancing at Axell. He scratched the back of his head near the kitchen, and Vince just blankly stared at the island, refusing to look at me.

Good, because I wasn’t in the mood.

I fisted my hands, swallowing an impatient growl, and went to pound on Sutton’s door again. I didn’t even make it halfway across the room when I stopped short.

Sutton strolled into the living room with a devilish grin, her heels clicking with unwavering confidence. She wore a tight black dress, licking every curve and dip, her dark hair flowing gracefully behind her.

My stomach jolted, my dick now standing at full attention against my slacks. I wanted to drape her over my knees—hike her dress up and tease her pussy until she dripped mercilessly down her thighs. She’d be a pretty little mess, wouldn’t she?

I squashed the mental image as she rounded the kitchen island.

“What are you wearing?” I asked.

Over the last two weeks, she’d worn nothing but a frown and sweats, drowning in misery. Until now. It was distracting. But, looking at her now, I was quickly reminded of what I’d said I’d give her, meaning Sutton was determined to behave tonight.

“You want me to play a convincing whore,” she clipped, striding past us and toward the elevator. I followed her across the penthouse, and she pressed the button down without looking at me. “Well, this is all I have. Was it you who snuck into my flat and got my clothes, or was that Grave?”

I gritted my teeth as the elevator chimed up.

Like hell would I have sent Grave for her things. I did it right before going to the mansion, rifling through every piece of clothing, every bottle of perfume, until my watch screamed at me to leave. Not because I wanted her to be comfortable, but because I figured she’d bitch less if she had her things here.

I stepped beside her, catching the intoxicating scent of her perfume the moment the elevator opened. We all stepped in, and when the doors re-opened on the ground level, Axell and Vince disappeared to retrieve the car.

Sutton inhaled a long breath, as if the stagnant air of the garage was enough to satisfy her captive lungs. I faced her just as she crossed her arms, running her hands up and down the length of them as if to ward off the chill. Goosebumps pebbled her skin.

“You’re not going to like me tonight,” I warned.

“What makes you think I like you now?” she asked sweetly.

The car arrived a second later, the low hum of the engine echoing off the concrete walls. I reached for her arm and chuckled when her cheeks darkened to a rosy flush.

“Deny it all you want, Sutton,” I said, and opened the car door. “I already know that you want me.”

She huffed before sliding across the bench seat and looked out the window. Her hands wrung together, her knee bouncing in the space between us.

We drove the entire way in silence and arrived just outside the Riot’s back entrance within minutes. Its black doors reflected the single light hanging above, shimmering like a beacon for chaos.

Inside, I knew women walked around masked and topless while patrons emptied their wallets. Somewhere on the lower level, guests were winning and losing bets they couldn’t afford.

I exited the car and gripped Sutton’s elbow, her lips pressing tight the moment our skin touched and her heels hit the wet ground.

My eyes narrowed.

She wasn’t fighting me. In fact, she looked far too comfortable in my grasp—far too comfortable attending a meeting with the Crimson Crowes.

Well, that was about to change.

The last thing I needed was for Sutton to ruin this if Luka believed she was safe with me. That her life wasn’t in danger. My father would sever our deal, and I’d be left to pick up the Crimson Crowe’s pieces for the rest of my life. I’d be stuck here.

We followed Axell and Vince’s heavy footsteps and entered the long hallway that led to the private section below. Music shook the walls, and dancers scurried in the opposite direction. Once we reached the stairs, I nodded for Axell and Vince to walk ahead before we followed them down.

The moment our shoes smacked the bottom floor, I seized a fistful of her hair. Sutton screamed, flailing as I flung her around and yanked her to my chest with a wolfish grin. She panted and gritted her teeth, eyes watering as she stared up in confusion.

“What are you… doing?” she breathed.

“Is that Sutton? Why is she here?” Luka bellowed from down the hall.