Page 117 of Pretty Lies

Depending on where they both ended up at the end of a weekday, they stayed at his place or hers. More often his than hers. She didn’t mind. Tonight, he called to say they’d be going to her place regardless. And his reason for why wasn’t negotiable. Still, she hadn’t been expecting to come here alone. Her enforcer was posted at the end of the street. She reminded herself of that, but her nerves didn't settle.

“Is Harry still on the street?” he asked as she unlocked the front door to her place.

“Yeah, having a smoke in his car.”

“Don’t look back at him. Sixty seconds now, Della. It might be our last chance.”

Yeah, she knew.

“Love you,” she said.

His response echoed in her heart. A mirror of her own words.

She hung up the phone and opened the door. Closing it behind her, she didn’t even get the chance to flick on the light before her uninvited guest made himself known. She washed the hallway in light when she flicked the switch on the wall, showcasing where Luis sat on a chair he’d pulled into the hall from the kitchen.

Black hair and equally dark eyes. Looking like death waiting for her. Smiling. Death always smiled. He even wore Cory’s jacket.

“I hate unfinished business,” Luis murmured.

He dared to grin.

Della was counting down the time.

“Aren’t you happy to see me?” he asked, widening his arms. “Not really here for you … but two birds, one stone, you know? Figured, when you say fuck you to someone like Cory Rossi, you do it with your whole damn chest, Dell. He’ll understand why I’m here to do this.”

“He already did,” she replied, unbothered.

Coldly, even.

Luis didn’t miss it when his gaze narrowed. “What does that mean?”

“Think about it.”

He looked like he might get up from the chair. He even uncrossed his jean-clad leg to drop it to the floor, and then fixed the sleeve on the leather jacket. All signs of his nerves, she knew. It was easy to find when she understood what to look for now.

“I’m not here to chat,” Luis said, “but I’m sure you already know that.”

Yeah.

“Was she worth it?” Della asked.

That had Luis glancing her way as he pulled a switchblade from his pocket. She really thought he might want to go for the easy kill—a bullet straight to her brain. She wasn’t all that surprised to see he wanted something more personal for her.

A knife was always personal.

“Jennika, you mean?”

“Yeah. Good pussy, or …?”

Luis waved a hand. “Loca, but purpose serving. I’m going to fuck up your face first. Cut it to shreds. It was really the only thing I liked about you in the first place.”

Della was done playing games.

Especially at that threat.

“No, you won’t. Did you think my new guard was a coincidence? Or that I haven’t sold this place yet even though I would rather be at Cory’s place every night? How about the fact that my schedule hasn’t changed in weeks?”

Luis walked right into the trap they set. Just like they wanted him to. He was a creature of habit in some ways. It was the downfall of better men than the one standing in front of her, so she didn’t know why he thought he could be an exception to the rule.