I narrowed my eyes like a hawk, watching his every step but not taking any of my own. He didn’t scare me. I had nothing left to protect or lose; what did I care if I overestimated my ability todefend myself?Couldn’t say I didn’t try.Tessa Bradley was MIA, and who the fuck knows where the real Evie Sinclair had gone.
“Did you come up with that analogy all on your own? I see you were faking your intoxication.” I called him out on his shit, not giving a damn if it landed me in trouble.
“Usually, it gives me a free pass with the ladies. ‘He has no self-control, no harm, no foul.’But apparently not with you, little bird.” He continued his approach, stopping within arm's reach, his long, dark hair slicked back with enough sweat to mimic gel. “No, no, because of course, you’re one of the smart ones.” Huffing out a mocking laugh, the man leaned forward, extending an arm to press his palm against the bricks just beside my head. I could feel my heart rattling against my chest as my eyes met his, dark and disturbing. “You catch on fast.”
Don’t let him see your trepidation.
“What do you want?” I focused all my energy on appearing assertive and unafraid, while deep down I was questioning my sudden urge to stay and fight rather than retreat inside, where I knew I would be safe.
Although I had to admit, the rush I was feeling from the fear alone took my mind off all the doubts and self-loathing for once.
“So glad you asked, but I’m well aware that you aren’t offering, and since we’re out here, all alone, I think I’ll just help myself inste—”
I kneed him hard in the balls—twice—taking beaming gratification in the way he curled in on himself, clutching his dick in agony,“Motherfucker!”
Serves you fucking right.
“You said I was smart, and yet you think you can still fucking assault me?” My voice was tight with anger, almost spitting my words directly in his face as he dropped to his knees. “You’re fucking pathetic.”
When he pushed back on his heels, I caught the light in his eyes. The feral delight in playing with his food before he desecrated it. The laugh that bubbled up from his throat was sickening.
I dug my nails into my palms, vexed over his apathetic reaction as I stomped my foot to ground myself before throwing every ounce of my weight into a roundhouse kick, nailing the prick in the side of his head, and I thanked fucking God that I went with the weighted platform heels tonight.
The bloodcurdling laughter stopped as he collapsed face-first like a pile of bricks, and I stepped over him, lining my heel up with his temple and pressing with just enough force so that he could feel it was there.
With the rise and fall of his back, I could see that he was still breathing, but once he hit the hot pavement, he didn’t move a muscle, his eyes shut as if I’d managed to knock him out with the hard blow.
I stared down at him, admiring my ability to render a man unconscious. I’ve never committed murder; the idea never crossed my mind. But the intrusive thought of driving this heel right through the side of his thick skull was all too tempting, and I, more than willing to comply.
Just as I dug the tip a little deeper, enough to puncture his skin and watch a tiny drop of blood bubble up from the break, the back door flew open, and this time I froze like a deer in blinding headlights.
My lungs stalled, and I steadily lifted my gaze from the man I had pinned to the ground, right up until they focused on just who had caught me doing something I shouldn’t have—for a second fucking time this evening…Levi.
His eyes were as shocked as mine, his gorgeous lips parted as he stared at me, taking in the scene where I was seconds away from driving my heel into one of his customers’ heads, killing them.Did he know what happened before this? Would he even care?
“My office. Now.” A single growled command before he abruptly turned, giving me the cold shoulder as he retreated inside, leaving me no other choice but to follow, unless I wanted to disappear all over again.
I’m so fucked right now…
