Page 79 of Come Fill Me

“I saw you die. I saw your faces and a dim view of what was around you. Maybe a bookcase and a fireplace.”

The hearth was behind Carreon, conical in design, a beige color Zeke hadn’t been able to recall from his vision.

“I saw you die.”

Ignoring the danger, Liz ran to Carreon, putting on a show. “You’re all right. I was so worried Neekoma’s men might have come here and tried to capture or hurt you. He’s an animal, just as you’ve always said. He kept me in his room. He…” She stopped and shuddered, as though it was too painful or repulsive for her to go on.

Carreon remained detached, no emotion crossing his features.

“I didn’t think I’d ever be able to escape,” she cried, trying to get him to trust her. “If not for your men—oh my God, two were already dead by the time I reached them.” She touched the stains on her tee. “I wanted to help, but their wounds were tooextensive. The moment Neekoma left me to fight with his men, I broke out of the room he’d kept me in and came here.”

Carreon studied the blood smears on her clothing, her disheveled hair, her tear-dampened cheeks.

Although Liz wanted to go on, she fell silent. He was a murderous prick, not a fool. Quietly, she wept, tears dripping from her chin. She didn’t wipe them away or try to grab his weapon.

Yet.

Hyperalert, she waited for even the slightest movement from him. The SOB didn’t seem to breathe. He didn’t blink.

How long was he going to continue staring at her without doing—

On a heavy sigh, he lowered his gun, the tension seeming to drain from him. “Welcome back, Liz.”

She let out a sound of happiness that wasn’t all show. Moving into him, she ran her fingertips over his cheek. Next, she’d touch his arm, then his hand, turning the Glock toward him and firing. “I’m so sorry I ever doubted you. What he did to me was so awful.”

“I’ll make him pay for it,” Carreon said. “While Robert tortures him, I’ll let you watch.”

Fighting disgust, Liz snuggled into him. Not only did Carreon allow it, he stroked her hair.

That’s it. Let down your guard. Let me seduce you right into your fucking grave.

She pushed to her toes and kissed his jaw.

He made a sound all men do when a woman’s pleasuring them.

Almost there. Just a little bit more. She licked the seam of his mouth.

Carreon’s lips turned up in a smile. He worked his fingers beneath her hair then grabbed her neck, his thumb on herwindpipe.

Liz froze, not understanding what he was doing.

He pressed harder.

She grabbed his hand. “Stop!”

Carreon tossed his gun on a chair to the side and put both hands around her throat, his body forcing hers back, his face contorted in rage. “Bitch,” he growled, “you think I don’t know what you’re trying to do.”

She spoke as well as she could, her words rasped. “I’m not trying to do anything.”

“Liar. Kele was here. She told me how much you love Neekoma. How you willingly gave yourself to him.”

“I saw you die.”

“He’s headed here now with his men,” Liz cried. “If you hurt me, he’ll hunt you down. He’ll—”

Carreon increased his grip, digging his thumbs into her throat. Liz clawed his hands and grabbed his earring, ripping it from his lobe. He wouldn’t let go. His face swam before her, handsome and cruel. His cologne and musk were overwhelming, making Liz sick.

Fighting for every bit of air, she kicked his legs and rammed her heels into his toes. It wasn’t enough. He was too strong.

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