Page 53 of Root

“Rush?”

“You don’t throw phones at men you know.”

“I do when they break into my place. What is wrong with you?”

I cross the room, ignoring the fact I came from her tiny bedroom, and I help her up. She swats me away.

“Me?” Her hiss is up there with Dante’s best. “What about you?”

“I’m perfect.”

“Deluded.”

“Please. Jessie, you want me. The fact I could get your jeans—”

Her growl cuts me off, and that pretty face twists into anger. She holds her hand up and that sharp little knife pops into view, sending a dark thrill racing through me.

“These jeans are too big. Is that how you get your thrills?” Jess stalks up to me, and shoves me with her other hand.

I’m getting fucking sick of being shoved around, but Nikolai put me on her case, I made sure the guards were scarce so she could get out of there.

I added a car she could steal not far from the entrance to our property.

Of course, she found a bike and stole that instead.

Then she went to Bunny’s where it sure as shit looked like bad fucking people were in charge—my spy’s words, not mine. I’ve been here, waiting, looking for…I don’t know what. A big arrow that says ‘secrets here’?

She doesn’t have much. At least, not that I could find without ripping the place apart.

Nikolai would have, but… I can’t.

I’m not soft, I just don’t think she’s getting paid for information. Just like I don’t think Jess’s that kind of criminal to keep hidden evidence. If she’s a criminal.

“I prefer the lady to get her thrills.”

“I prefer not to be manhandled,” she shoots back.

“You’d like a woman? Damn did I read the situation wrong.”

That earns another low growl, and she steps a little closer.

Jess Carabella likes control. Maybe the way Nikolai does. But I dismiss the thought immediately. Nikolai needs it, thrives on it. Control helps him drive the family business, it helps him avoid as many mistakes as possible. It’s so deeply rooted in him I doubt he’ll leave his place at the head of the family.

For Rose, yes. For Rose he’d do anything. But Rose has plans, and she’s growing into her own kind of mafia queen.

Jess is chaos. She’s driven by other forces. Family? That feels right. But I’m betting that for her control feels good because it’s a power, a weapon, and I’m hoping she doesn’t see it’s a weapon that can be used against her.

I know she stormed into Bunny Munroe and was ordered out, thanks to my spy.

“A woman would be preferable to you.” Her eyes are all fuck me and fuck you in all the ways. She wants me and she wants to push every one of my buttons.

And, very possibly, see me bleed.

“You say those words, but your eyes choose me. And I bet that sweet little clit chooses me, too.”

She lunges at me with that knife ring. I grab her hand and pull her in tight like we’re dancing.

Fuck, she fits perfectly, her body sweet and soft, those fucking tits a taunt against me.

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