Page 142 of Hell and High Water

My arms are swinging in my wake as I drop, deflecting another kick aimed for my ribs, the other for my head.

Shoving away, I slide across the floor, distancing myself from her to regain my feet.

But just as I do, she’s in the air, flying toward me with both knees out front.

The battering ram impact takes me high on the chest, but I’m ready, hooking an arm under her ass and flinging her back and away from me again.

Of course, the wily bitch turns it into a mid-air backflip and lands like a fucking ninja.

And she’s not even winded.

Unlike me, gasping and sweating like I just ran a marathon. When did I get the air knocked out of me?

“Slow down, old man. I just wanna talk.”

“Oh, yeah? I don’t think I want to hear anything you have to say after you shot Hellena!”

“I already apologized to her for that!”

“Fuck you, Alaya.”

“I mean… I wouldn’t kick you out of bed.” She tilts her head with a smirk, eyeing me up and down.

It’s only then it dawns on me that I’m completely naked.

“Although, after seeing the three of you in bed, I might wanna take your girlfriend for a spin. She’s a spitfire, Damon’s girl is.”

I see red again.

I shouldn’t let it get to me like this. But man, oh, man, does Alaya know how to piss me off.

She taunts me, and I see blind rage again.

“Don't you fucking talk about Hellena.”

“Oh, Lena!” she moans, backpedaling out of my reach.

She spins, causing me to stumble forward to compensate, leaving only the knifing back of her hand to connect with my throat, a slice that leaves me gasping and choking. I’m getting sloppy. Disoriented. She’s wearing me down.

And I don’t know what she’ll do once she’s gotten me out of the way.

Even if Hellena thinks she’s not trying to harm us, I can’t rely on that. I can’t trust her.

A well-placed kick sends me to my knees, clutching at my side. Rolling with the momentum, I sweep her leg, knocking her to her back. My fist is already soaring directly for where she landed, but my vision’s still a little blurry from the throat chop.

Blinding pain zings up my arm as it meets unwavering marble.

Through the bleary tears in my eyes, I see her shape loom over me.

Shit.

I’m done.

I see her finally reach for her sidepiece. “Get it over with.”

“Will you just?—”

THUMP.

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