Page 56 of Savage Rule

He will turn you in the first chance he gets.

He’ll use you to get to me.

He cannot love you.

Kill him before he kills you.

Gideon’s words go around and around in my head as I make my way up the winding staircase. I find myself leaning heavily against the iron railing, and almost fall through the door on the second floor.

Although his open loft-style apartment is much larger than mine, there aren’t many walls separating the spaces and I have an unobstructed view across to the kitchen.

I remain far from him, staring at his broad back. A back I’ve kissed and licked. Now one I have to stab.

He’s preparing a meal, the aroma of fresh spices thick in the air. His knife makes quick work of an onion and some green beans.

“You’re making dinner,” I state the obvious.

Glancing over his shoulder with that usual dimpled grin, he winks. “Wanted to impress you a little. Bet you didn’t think I could cook.”

My fist tightens over the blade. He’s cooking for me? All I did when we were at my place was order in. “It… It smells good.”

“It’s going to be fucking delicious. Come taste. I’ve got steak, green bean and fennel.”

“Wow.”

He looks at me again, this time, his brows furrowed. “Why are you just standing there? Come here.”

Tucking the blade into the holster at my back, I give him a weary smile and swallow down the acid bubbling up in my throat. I’ve never felt so sick.

Because you don’t want to fucking do this!

“Peaches, what’s wrong?” Fully turned to me now, Gunn sets the knife down and begins to walk my way.

“Nothing.” I smile again, but it’s so hard to hold it. “I brought your bike. Parked it where it was before.”

He stands in front of me and peers into my soul with those brown eyes of his that see everything. “Something’s wrong.”

I shove away. “You don’t know me enough to tell when something’s wrong.”

Gunn’s hand is instantly wrapped around my arm and is dragging me to him. “Something’s up. Wh—” He glances downat his blue jeans and notices a drop of blood that’s landed there. “What the fuck?”

Before I can snatch my hand away, he grabs it and cringes at the cut he sees there.

“Had a bit of an accident.” I try to laugh it off as insignificant, but he doesn’t buy it.

“With what?” The worry in his expression slices through me deeper than any cut could. I want to give into it, give into everything I feel for him. Fuck what Gideon said!

The thing is, he’s right. With Gunn, I’m vulnerable. And I’m willing to risk my life, for what? A few days, a couple of weeks at most, of fun? Then what?

He’ll give you up and God help you if that happens.

I can’t allow that. I won’t let Gideon down again.

It’s now or never.

“Scarlet,” Gunn grinds through his teeth. “How did you get hurt?”

Titling my head, I channel the old Scarlet, the one that could do her job and have fun at it. But fuck, it’s hard to hold onto her.

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