Page 121 of Cruel Love

I shift back to find Myra staring up at me, her cheek resting against the table.

“Knew what?” I ask.

She flashes a weak smile. “I knew you were into some kinky shit.”

I shake my head. “Don’t you ever quit?”

“I’m just saying. A handsome guy like you.” She jingles her chains against the table leg. “An affinity for tying up girls. Lilah’s one lucky lady.”

“Never pegged you for the envious type.”

“I never pegged you either... but I’m in if you are.”

I ignore it. “Last call for the night.”

She coos. “Are you here to spoon-feed me some pudding?”

“No, I was gonna offer you a bucket,” I say. “Don’t rightly care to feed you at all.”

“Well, that’s not very humane.”

“Interesting observation coming from the likes of you.”

“Oh, please.” Her eyes roll. “You don’t kill. You capture,” she mocks. “Seem to be a bit in the gray area when it comes to watching your girlfriend go on killing sprees.”

“Lilah’s gonna do what Lilah’s gonna do,” I say. “And the only one stopping her from doing whatever she’s gonna do to you is me, so...” I place a hand on the table by her head and lean forward. “Do you need a bucket?”

“No,” she answers, her voice hard. “I’m good.”

I step back. “Sleep tight, then.”

“Archer.”

I pause in the doorway.

“It’s not too late, you know...” she says, her eyes glossed with sympathy. “Maybe for her, but not for you and me—”

“Save it, you insidious twat.”

Her jaw drops as I flick off the light.

I head back to the stairs and I pause halfway up, feeling a vibration deep in the pocket of my jeans. I reach in for my phone and answer it as soon as I see Dante’s name.

“Please tell me you’re on your way, mate,” I say, lingering on the stairs.

“Not quite,” he answers, his tone heavy and tired. “Is Lilah with you?”

“No, she’s upstairs getting...” I stop myself from saying too much. There are some things a big brother doesn’t need to know about his baby sister. “Getting some sleep,” I say.

“Good. Arch, I need to tell you something and you need to keep it quiet. Can you do that?”

“Of course.”

A deep groan echoes in the background. A man in agony. I recoil instinctively.

“The job we did for Lutrova tonight went south,” Dante says. “Lucy’s gone. She’s been taken.”

My stomach turns. “By who?” I ask.

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