Page 79 of Silk and Sirens

Langdon smirked, taking one last long drag before flicking the cigarette over the edge. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, typing something before turning the screen towards me.

Come closer.

His expression was calm, but there was a wild, glassy gleam in his eyes that made me hesitate.

“Can you let me out?”

He nodded once, then tapped the screen again.

I stepped closer. The wind immediately whipped around me, tugging at my clothes like invisible hands trying to drag me over the edge.

I don’t get it, his next text read.

Before I could react, Langdon’s hand shot out and gripped the front of my throat, yanking me hard against his body. He spun us until my back hit the railing, forcing me to arch backward over the dizzying drop. His grip wasn’t tight, but it was insistent.

I don’t even think he gets it.

He held me effortlessly with one hand while typing with the other, the cold metal digging into my spine as my head hung suspended over nothing but air.

But for some reason you’re the only woman that he seems to care about.

I gripped his wrist, nails digging into the thickened, scarred skin. “Langdon, he doesn’t …”

His fingers tightened slightly, his other hand typing so casually, like he wasn’t currently holding my life above a deadly drop.

Trust me, I know Cade.

He’s different with you.

His heart is big for those he cares about, and he’s a cruel bastard for everyone else. If he didn’t care, you’d be dead.

I tried to swallow, calm myself down. “I don’t know what you want me to say.”

This, whatever this was between us, had never been part of the plan.

He always takes care of others and never puts himself first.

He’ll put you first, even if you don’t deserve it.

So don’t hurt him.

“I don’t want to hurt him,” I breathed, my pulse hammering wildly against his fingers. “I’ve never wanted to hurt him.” Caden had only ever been a means to an end, a weapon I could use to escape Selene’s control, and a powerful ally I could manipulate, but if it ever came down to a choice between him and me … I would always choose me.

I had to.

Langdon frowned, the surrounding city lights catching the amber brown of his eyes in a way that made them glow like candlelight. Up close, he was strikingly handsome, with a strong brow, sharp jawline, and such full lips they had no right being legal on any man. But the old scars marking his throat were impossible to ignore, usually hidden behind collars and high fabrics.

After a long, tense moment, he nodded and slowly lowered me back onto my feet. His hand lingered on my throat a second longer, thumb brushing over my racing pulse like he was savouring my fear.

Then his phone flashed in front of my face.

If you break him …

He smirked, giving me a wink as he typed his last message.

I’ll break you.

The water seemed unsettled, sloshing the side of the yacht as I stepped off the passerelle.