I bury it as I chase her, watching her as she slips behind a discrete-looking staff door. I follow, not more than a few paces behind.
But when I step into the corridor that lies beyond it, there is no one in sight.
Cautiously, I step forward, unnerved by the sudden lack of sound, as if the door behind me was some kind of portal to another world.
I barely make it a few steps when something yanks me back, pulling me into some kind of maintenance closet, and then…
“Mmph,” I groan as those sinful lips force themselves onto mine.
It’s a desperate, clawing kind of kiss, one that has her pressing her entire body into mine, raking her hands through my hair, along my face.
Those goddamn nails. The scratches she left down my back last time weren’t enough. I need her to tear through my skin.
It’s frantic and messy and oh-so glorious. I’ve been thinking about this,missingthis for two whole days.
It’s enough to make a man go mad. Well, I suppose I already did a little.
It’s just a shame I’m not going to fall for it again.
I wait until she tries to wrap her legs around me before truly revealing my winning hand.
She freezes at the feeling of my blade at her throat.
“What was it you were saying about déjà vu?” I whisper to her as she jerks backward.
God, she looks delicious when her lipstick smudges like that.
“You can’t kill me here,” she hisses back. Her eyes are wide in alarm.
I tut. “It would be inconvenient, I suppose. I imagine it won’t be long until someone notices you’re missing and ends your people after us. You’re my only ticket out of here.”
“So, we have an understanding.”
“Only if you give me what I rightfully won.”
She glares back at me defiantly. “Never.”
“What was that about honor among thieves?”
“You would have never given up either.”
“I guess you’ll never know now.” I brush a stray hair away from her eyes. I’m being gentle, considering the circumstances. “I might not be able to kill you here. But there are other places that are far less protected.”
She swallows hard. “You wouldn’t be able to touch me.”
“Is that so? Why don’t you tell that to your little boyfriend at the gym? I heard he took a nasty tumble.”
It’s not surprise on her face; it’s something far darker. Clever girl, she already figured it out.
“You don’t scare me,” she whispers.
“Oh, I think I do,” I say, leaning back. Dante is already yelling in my ear to get the hell out, a warning that has already more than expired.
There’s just never enough time.
“Do me a favor and stay right here,” I continue as I swing the door back open. “I’d hate to ruin those pretty little hands of yours.”
She looks as if she might retaliate, so I surge forward, slamming my knife into the wall behind her left ear, nicking the hanging flesh as it buries itself into the wood.
