Page 99 of Bishop

She doesn’t need to answer. It’s fucking obvious. Yet her silence enrages me.

She moves to the far side of the spray, grabbing the soap before resting her back against the tile. She creates a lather in her palms, the bubbles flowing over her fingers.

“Abri, who hurt you?”

“Get in the shower and we can discuss it.”

She wants to continue playing games?

Fuck her and the way she strings me along.

I kick off my shoes. Yank off my socks. Then shuck my pants and boxer briefs to stand fully naked. “Who?” I stalk into the shower.

“Why does it matter?”

“You know exactly why.”

“You’re not murdering another man for me, Bishop.”

Yes, I am. And this time I’ll make the asshole suffer. “Do you understand how pathetic it is to protect someone who hurts you?”

“He’s a good man.”

“Great,” I snarl. “I can’t wait to meet him.”

She huffs a laugh. “If I wanted him dead I would’ve done it myself.”

I disagree. She’s got too much heart hidden behind all the faux layers of malice.

“His name.” I get in her face, my pulse pounding with the need to right the wrongs made against Lorenzo’s family. “Who was it?”

She meets my gaze, her eyes solemn. “Why do you care so much?”

“I don’t. This is my job.”

“It’s a few bruises.”

“Any bruise, unless given in pleasure, is something I’m going to rectify. Any cut or bump or graze. No injury will go unpunished under my watch.”

She shakes her head. Subtle. Barely moving.

“Who?” Adrenaline floods my veins. “Tell me a fucking name.”

She swallows. Licks her lips. “No.”

I slap my palm against the tile. “Do you really want to push our already temperamental civility?”

“No. Just drop it.”

“Can’t and won’t, la mia sirena ammaliatrice.”

“What does that even mean?”

I grin, the curve of lips feral. “Tell me and I’ll tell you.”

She rolls her eyes and turns her head away. Fed up looks good on her. Everything looks so fucking good.

I grab her chin and press my nose to her cheek, speaking against her skin. “Who do I get to punish, belladonna?” I’m alive with the need to avenge. Somehow absolved of my elicit behavior with the promise of retribution.

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