“But not like this.”
I flit my gaze between her eyes and her tempting mouth. “Ah! You wanted to go out in a blaze. Kill as many Exodus members as you could.” She looks away. “Would that have been a dignified death?” When she remains mute, I finger a lock of her hair. “There are no dignified deaths. At least this way, your friend has a fighting chance.”
Her gaze clashes with mine, fire on ice. “Against two of them?”
“I never claimed to play fair.” Smirking, I release her lock of hair and slide my hand into my pocket. “Now, let’s enjoy the show.”
If looks could kill, I’d be six feet under. No woman has looked at me with such hatred before. Cecilia’s eyes positively burn. “I’ll kill you,” she snarls. “So help me, God, I will deliver your death one day soon.”
“Let’s keep the pillow talk for the bedroom.” I leave her to fume as I take my place by Sinclair.
He hands me my warthog mask, and I slide it on. “Quite a show you’re putting on for Miss van der Meer’s benefit. I’m intrigued and a little alarmed. What’s your plan, Darian?”
I lift a shoulder, eyes on Cecilia. “I’ve decided Miss van der Meer’s last breath won’t suffice. She’s an annoying itch that demands scratching. I’ll hide her in plain sight. No one has to know she’s here.”
Sinclair chuckles, sliding his phone from his pocket. “What’s the Bugatti’s horsepower?”
Ignoring his bad humor, I flick invisible lint off my suit jacket. “I want revenge against her father. I wanteverythingshe has to offer. Her family’s money, her family’s legacy, and herheart and soul. I won’t rest until she’s broken beyond repair. I want to crush her little beating heart in my palm.”
“Easy there, tiger.” Tapping on his phone, Sinclair whistles. “It says here it has 1497 horsepower. Impressive.”
My eyes roll. Of course, he isn’t listening. The guy has a one-track mind. I jerk my chin to one of the guards, silently telling him to ensure my little thrill seeker doesn’t try to step in to rescue Carlo. He’s on his own.
While Carlo and the Pawns begin the mindless ritual of circling one another, I check my Rolex. The Elders beside me exchange money, betting on the winners.
I couldn’t give a shit about the death match in front of us. Not when my latest obsession is watching the scene unfold with tears in her eyes that won’t fall. She’s too proud. I wish to see a tear kiss her cheek, but she blinks them back before they spill over.
That’s when I vow to do everything in my power to make Cecilia van der Meer cry. Few things in life are priceless and precious. Cecilia’s pain is right at the top of valuables.
A commotion explodes. The two Pawns attack Carlo in unison, kicking his ribs and kneeing him in the face. It’s an unfair fight. Carlo stands no chance against trained Pawns—the brawn of the Exodus. But Cecilia needs to be taught a lesson. I have grand plans for her, and they all require her submission.
Lauren openly sobs, but not my Cecilia. No, she’s still watching, like she’s here but also far away, and I yearn to reach deep into her psyche and pull her back.
I glance at the fighting men. Pawn one is stomping on Carlo’s leg, and the other is digging his fingers into his eyes, blinding him. It’s a bit much, to be honest, but whatever amuses the masses. Tonight is all about entertainment.
Sinclair glances at his expensive watch.
“Somewhere better to be?” I ask.
“Warm pussy, Delacroix. You should try it.”
I peer at Cecilia again. She lifts her gaze and levels me with a look so dark and intense that my dick thickens. Her fury is palpable, like a sweet aroma in the air. Oh, I’d pay good money to cut this charade short and ram my dick down her throat. I bet she feels amazing when she’s clawing at my thighs to catch a breath.
“Keep lying to yourself,” Sinclair says, with another one of his signature chuckles. “You’re hard for the heiress. Careful there, my friend, or Miss van der Meer will break you instead.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m unbreakable.”
The Pawns are now stomping on Carlo’s head. He’s already dead, but they won’t stop until I give them the signal.
“Don’t be cocky. They claimed the Titanic was unsinkable, and look how that turned out.”
When I lift a hand, the Pawns instantly step back, covered in blood and brain matter. With another dismissive flick of my hand, Carlo’s broken corpse is removed from the premises. I cast an appalled glance at the smeared blood streaks. This place better reek of bleach when I return tomorrow. Maybe I’ll ask them to fumigate the place while they’re at it.
Cecilia stands taller when I eat up the distance between us with determined strides. Defiant to the end. A royal queen without a crown. I haven’t known her for long, but her strength has already impressed me. While her friend Lauren sniffles and cries, Cecilia cuts me into pieces with a dismissive glare. I decide there and then that I love seeing her look at me like I’m the monster beneath her bed. I’ll soon be the monsterinher bed.
“And so, there were two,” I say.
She follows me with her eyes as I walk past her to Lauren. The poor girl is quivering, terrified.
