Page 4 of Pure Vengeance

I can tell.

“Let me go,” she orders with a little stomp of her right foot. The ballet flats make no sound against the grass.

“That’s not happening.” I step a little closer, inhaling the vanilla spice scent of her body wash. “Who are you?” I ask again.

She raises her chin and pinches her lips together in a fierce line.

The door to the restaurant flies open and more of my men rush out.

I put my hand up to stop them.

“It’s fine. I got this.” I keep my eyes trained on my little killer here and wave them off. “Go back inside.”

The door slams shut again.

“Now. Who are you?” I ask again, realizing this is the third time I’ve asked. Two more times than I’d give anyone else.

“Go to hell.” She spits at me, hitting me in the cheek.

I huff a laugh, wiping it away. I’ve killed for less of an insult.

Her gaze drops to the pistol when I pull back the hammer and take a small step back.

Bringing it up to her forehead, I push the barrel against her delicate skin. Her nose is covered in freckles.

“I’m not asking again.” I press the barrel harder against her.

She pauses. Tears shimmer in her eyes.

“Fuck. You.” The words are hard, but quiet as they fall from her lips. She’s resigned herself to dying.

I’m not ready for that.

“Who sent you?” I change the question, giving myself a little leeway in how I handle her.

“No one.” Her gaze flickers away for a moment before coming back to mine. “Go ahead and pull the trigger,” she dares me. “Or let me go.”

“You think those are my only two choices?” I chuckle. “Kill you or free you?”

“You’re a monster.” She struggles against Vince again, but he’s got her held tight. She’s going nowhere until I say.

“I’m not the one who shot someone tonight,” I say, glancing down at my arm. The bullet tore through the sleeve of my suit jacket, and my shirt beneath. I won’t know how much of my arm got hit until we get home, and I can look, but I’ve been hit worse.

Her jaw clenches.

“Do you work for the Delaney brothers?” Those Irish pricks have been a thorn in my ass for the last year. I wouldn’t put it past them sending one of their little girls to do something like this.

I’m more insulted by her being the chosen assassin than them finally deciding to go after me full force.

“No.” She swallows, her eyes narrow. “I don’t know them.”

“Boss.” Vince jerks his head to the side. We’re in full view here. No one’s around, but someone can walk out at any second.

I wrap my finger around the trigger. Steadying my hand.

A tear rolls down her cheek when she closes her eyes.

Vince stares at me, ready to do whatever I tell him to. He’ll take over from here if I give him the okay. I can have her taken to our usual spot, where we make our problems disappear. Or I can handle her right here and let him deal with the cleanup.

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