Page 35 of Queen of Spades

Apparently, I’m not as far removed from my upbringing as I had hoped.

I’m going to stab him in the testicle.

And even though it’s not that poor person’s fault, my instincts are still certain that they deserve to die too.

“Are you cheating on me?” I whisper, taking a step back.

“No, hell no,” he growls. “I should spank your ass for even asking me that.”

“Oh, yeah? Well, then, who is in there, moaning?” My hand lands on my hip as I gesture to the door with the other.

Grady grimaces, glancing at the door and back at me. “You really don’t want to go in there.” His strong shoulders bounce as he shrugs, like he’s got nothing in the way of a good excuse.

“If you don’t open that door right now…” I huff. “Then, just consider us over.”

Oh. My. God.

Did I just give him an ultimatum?

I hate ultimatums.

They’re icky and controlling. I’m turning into a crazy person. More than that, I’m acting like someone I don’t like.

“Come on, baby,” he says. “Can’t you give me the benefit of the doubt this one time?”

My heart drops, and I spin around to leave. No matter what, I’ve just ruined everything. Even if he’s not hiding anything, if he doesn’t show me, then I’ll always wonder.

This is why I don’t surprise people. Nothing good comes from popping in unannounced. I could’ve been back in my apartment, blissfully unaware of what an asshole the guy I’m falling for really is.

Would that really be a good thing?

My brain can fuck off with its logic.

I think I just realized I’m in love with him.

It might have been nearly impossible to pry that admission out of me before today, but it doesn’t make it any less true.

“Annika, goddamn it.” Grady grabs for my arm. I let him pull me back to face him, and my fist connects with his jaw. “Jesus Christ, woman. Just open the damn door, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“Oh, fuck off. Like I need your permission,” I hiss, shaking out my hand. It’s been a long time since I did hand-to-hand combat. I’ve clearly forgotten how much it hurts to land a good punch to a solid alpha.

“How about, next time you leave the crazy at home when you come for a visit?” Grady grumbles, rubbing his jaw. “Damn, infuriating woman.” I raise a hand, flip him off, and stumble over to the door as my vision gets hazy. “Don’t try to be cute now. You just knocked the hell out of me.”

Murdering the poor moaning woman would be a terrible thing to do when I’m all about female empowerment, but also, she’s still all moany.

Couldn’t she take a break when I got here?

The door flies open.

My jaw falls as my head tilts, and I try to determine what the hell I’m looking at.

Oh, shit.

I think I’d like to shut the door and pretend none of this ever happened.

“Help! God, help me. He’s a fucking lunatic,” a raspy voice begs from inside the motherfucking cell built into Grady’s extra bedroom.

I stumble over my own feet in an attempt to grab the door, dragging it closed.

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