Page 178 of Bishop

He’s sounding a hell of a lot like Gordon Myers and his men before they attacked me, the similarities making the scarf around my neck feel tighter.

“Three times in quick succession?” I drawl. “I’m impressed.”

He laughs. “And after all the dick you’ve had, that’s quite a compliment.”

I keep my sly mask in place, my gaze sinful, my interest seeming piqued even though his continued insults set off more alarm bells.

Most men I target are enamored by me. Hypnotized. They don’t know my past or the intricacies of my family. They just want something they think only the best can have.

That isn’t the case with Geppet.

He sees me for what I really am—a high-class whore with nobody left to save her.

We take an offramp toward the outer edges of Denver, where homes are spread apart by massive yards half a mile apart and most of the buildings are old, unkempt, and uncared for.

“How far are we going?” I ask.

He jerks his chin up the road. “We’re almost there.”

Thirty seconds pass before he pulls into a cement drive, his headlights sweeping over a small weatherboard house, the paintwork around the window frames chipped and peeling, the front screen door askew and hanging on one hinge.

He kills the engine and turns to me. “You ready to exchange info?”

I ignore the waggle of his brows and smirk. “Actually, I’m ready to renegotiate terms.”

“Your mom warned me you were slippery, but that woman has no idea how fucking hot you are.” He swipes a thumb over his bottom lip. “What do you want to renegotiate, baby girl?”

I drag my attention to the house, the moonlight beaming down on the tin roof. “We go in there and talk. About us. About what you want to do to me. But also about my daughter. There will be a constant exchange of information on both sides. You’ll tell me everything my mother said to you on your cross-country trip.” I return my eyes to his. “While I make us both feel good.”

He raises his brows and contemplates a moment. “Okay. I guess I can agree to that.”

“Perfect.”

He unclasps his belt and shoves open his door.

“Wait.” I lick my lips as he glances over his shoulder at me. “Tell me something to get me out of the car, Aaron.” I open my clutch and retrieve my lipstick, ensuring my stun gun is easily accessible as I add a new coat of color to my lips.

“Something about how I’m going to fuck you?” he asks.

“No.” I fight not to roll my eyes. “Something about my daughter. Give me incentive to make your dreams come true.”

“Baby girl, you’re going to want to do that all on your own.” He pushes from the car and rounds the hood to pull open my door.

I don’t move. I blink up at him, Bambi-eyed, pouty lips. “Incentive, Geppet.”

His gaze narrows slightly. “How ’bout this—I dropped your momma in the same vicinity as your girl earlier today.”

My chest tightens. “How far away are they?”

“Come on, Abri.” He holds out a hand. “I agreed to talk, but this isn’t really the type of conversation to set the mood now, is it? Let’s not lose momentum.”

He’s right. I can’t push too hard too fast.

I scoot from my seat, my clutch tight in my grip as I reach for his hand.

I listen for cars as my heels settle on the cement drive. For a sound of life. But there’s nothing. Only the chirp of crickets and the rustle of trees.

Geppet leads the way onto the darkened porch and pulls open the dilapidated screen. He grabs a key from his pocket, unlocks the front door, and shoves it wide. “Make yourself at home.”

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