Page 53 of Filthy Hot

I think he might be the worst kind of human I’ve ever come across. But I’m not going to tell him that. This man has an ego that could rival all of the egos on earth. If I thought Xavier had a big one, it is nothing compared to this man.

“I am,” I say, trying to keep things calm.

I have a feeling if I even show an ounce of sass, of fight, he’s going to want to beat it out of me in some way. So, the longer I can stay submissive, soft, and sweet with him, the better.

Fortunately for me, I know how to do that for a while. I’ve had to play the game with Xavier more than once. Just long enough to be able to slip away from him. The only thing that has me pausing in this situation is… I don’t think I’ll be able to slip away anywhere, not being locked in this room.

“Here is something to drink, a burger, and fries. I apologize that it’s fast food, but until more permanent arrangements are made, this will have to do.”

“Permanent?” I chance asking.

He arches a brow but doesn’t respond to me. Instead, he clears his throat, and it’s clear that I’ve fucked up. So, no questioning his demands or his decisions. Good to know. I decide to shift the conversation.

“What about Xavier?” I ask instead.

His lips twitch into a smirk. “Do you want to be with him?”

I know this is likely a trick question of sorts. If I say that I want him, perhaps he’ll give me to Xavier, but there will be a catch for sure. If I say that I don’t want anything to do with Xavier, that leaves me open to use as he chooses.

And I know without a doubt that whatever he chooses is definitely going to be the devil that I do not know. Xavier is the devil that I recognize. But that devil I know, he’s out for blood.

Talon has zero personal attachments to me, no anger or ill will. Perhaps he’s the one who I need to cling to in an effort to save myself. I’m sure there is no right or wrong answer here, but I’m not sure I care too much, either. All I want is to get away from here, and I don’t think Xavier is going to do that for me.

“I don’t,” I say.

I mean the words. I want nothing to do with Xavier, ever. I want him to vanish, and I wish I could erase the memories of him as well. But I can’t. Those memories are frozen in the back of my mind, and there is nothing I can do about that. Except hope that this Talon person gets rid of him.

In whatever way that calls for.

“I’m glad because he wouldn’t be available to you, anyway.”

I don’t ask him what that means, mainly because he’s smirking, and it’s clear he wants me to ask. I’m not going to. I have a feeling that deep down, I know exactly what’s happened to Xavier.

As much as I want Xavier gone forever, I also don’t want to know any details. At one time, I loved him with everything I had inside of me. But he killed that love. With each cruel word, each raised level of control, and then each blow from his fist.

“What happens now?” I ask on a whisper.

He tilts his head to the side, his eyes dancing as they search mine. He is enjoying this. A little game for him. He knows what will happen, and he loves the fact that I don’t know and want to know.

“You’ll see,” he purrs.

Then I watch as he stands, turns around, and walks out of the room, closing the door behind him. I listen to the lock latch in place and let out a heavy sigh, thankful that I’m alone again.

CHAPTER

TWENTY-ONE

GNAW

As a collective group,with some prospects driving a van, we head straight for the address where we know Xavier’s phone last pinged. This is done today. I don’t really give a fuck how it ends, as long as I have Kyle and it ends.

That is all I give a fuck about.

We’ve met and devised a plan. Distraction is key. But first, we need someone to talk. It won’t be Talon, and I doubt Kyle knows anything at all. She’s probably being kept behind lock and key.

The club decided. Divide and conquer. We just don’t know exactly where to divide. But we will. After we talk to Talon and show a few of our cards, we will, without a doubt, be able to move forward.

As we pull our bikes into the driveway, I’m not sure if we’re going to be ambushed or not. I also don’t give a fuck. This needs to be completely done. They are trying to accomplish something that is not theirs to accomplish.

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