Page 41 of Cat and Mouse

Her face hardens. "You've been messing with me. You got me new cases, haven't killed anyone in a while. Why? Why do allthat and then turn around and murder someone right in front of me?"

I grin at her. "Because I'm a nice guy, Lizzie. Didn't want you to get bored."

Her laugh is humorless. "How do you even know I've been investigating you?"

I tap my temple. "I know a lot, cara."

She doesn't like that. Not one bit. She shakes her head, taking a step back. "Why are you here, Leo?"

"I want a truce."

"Atruce?" She's incredulous, crossing her arms. I can't help but glance at the way her shirt pulls tight across her chest. Damn, I've got problems.

"Yeah, a truce. I promise not to kill anyone who doesn't deserve it, and you stop hunting me. Simple."

Her voice hardens. "Why? Afraid I might catch you?"

I laugh, can't help it. "If I wanted you to catch me, you would have by now."

She opens her mouth to argue but shuts it just as fast. I love that about her. She's smart enough to know when she's losing ground. She switches tactics, eyes narrowing.

"Why now? Why come here and ask for a truce?"

"Like I said, I'm a nice guy."

She rolls her eyes, and God help me, all I can think about is putting her over my knee for it. She's making me crazy, this woman. She's testing me, pushing.

"I'll think about it. If you tell me why you killed them."

I raise an eyebrow. "If I answer, will you tell me the color of your panties?"

Her face flushes. "No."

I smirk. "I'll settle for the toenails, then."

"Freak."

I arch a brow, waiting. And she does it. She actually pulls off her socks and shows me her toes, bright red.

"Happy now?"

"Ecstatic."

She shakes her head, but there's something in her eyes. Curiosity maybe or something darker. "You got a foot fetish or something?"

"Nah," I say, shaking my head. "I just like to see you obey."

Her lips twitch, like she's biting back something. A retort. I don't care. It's more fun to watch her squirm. But she straightens up, face serious again. "I know you think there's some kind of nobility in people, but—"

"I don't."

Her eyebrows shoot up. "You don't?"

"No." I shrug again, casual, but I'm watching her. She's trying to figure me out. "People lie. People disobey. That's life.The only difference is I deal with them in a way that ensures they won't cross me again."

"So what makes you judge, jury, and executioner?"

"Experience," I say flatly.

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