Page 104 of Untamed Sinner

It works better than I expect. Something flickers behind his eyes—there and gone, but real. His jaw shifts, just barely, like he's recalculating everything he thought he knew about this conversation.

“Who?” he says, too fast, too smooth—the kind of who a man says when he's buying himself a second to think.

I shrug like it doesn't matter, like I'm just tossing out names to see what sticks. “Some girl he was interested in.”

He stares at me like he’s trying to see into my brain. “What did Turner say about her?”

He didn't correct me. He didn't act confused. He didn't look blank at her name. He just wants to know what I know.

I’d bet a year’s supply of donuts that he knows who she is and what’s going on.

My pulse kicks up, sharp and bright. This is more than I walked in with. It’s a thread, and if I pull it now, I might unravel the whole fucking thing.

Which presents a problem. The plan is to kill Ashford, but now I need to keep him talking.

I ease back, giving him room. “Cole said he had big plans for Clara.”

Ashford goes very still. “He told you that?”

Bingo. I give him a careless shrug. “Maybe.”

His eyes sharpen. “What else did he tell you?”

Less than you just did. Ashford knows about Clara and what Turner was going to do with her—I just know it. He’s close enough to whatever she’s involved in to be worried that I know too much.

Which means killing him right now would be spectacularly inconvenient.

The asshole just bought himself five more minutes.

I sigh. “You really should’ve asked all these questions before you paid Hendricks. You’ve spent a shit ton of money and you’re still scared of me.”

The mask slips, only for a second, but I see it.

“I see you’re right,” he says tightly. “This was a waste of money since Turner is just another one of your victims.”

I lean forward, letting the crazy fill my eyes. “His screams were delicious.”

Shuddering, Ashford turns and walks to the door. “Wait here.”

I snort. “Sure. Take your time.”

He pauses with his hand on the knob. “Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re in control, Miss Reed.”

I give him my sweetest smile. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

He leaves, and the door locks audibly behind him.

I stay where I am for exactly two seconds, running the new variable through my head. He knows about Clara. He didn't explain how or why, and I don't have time to figure it out standing in his very expensive living room.

I reach up and touch the pin in my hair to confirm it's still there. Still an option. Just not the best one anymore.

Jake’s voice sounds in my head. “Clear.”

“Not exactly.” I wince. Hendricks is going to kill me.

Sure enough, he comes on immediately. “What’s going on?”

I keep my eyes on the door. “Ashford knows about Clara. I had to adjust the plan.”