Page 23 of A Heart So Savage

“Yes, ma’am. If you are here freely and willingly, we can’t force you to leave with us. There’s been no crime committed, none that I can see anyway.”

Aaron fumed in frustration, but he could do nothing.

“Thank you for understanding, Officer.” Tilting her head back, Ava stared into Kingston’s eyes and moved closer until her sweet warmth permeated his clothes. “Will you see yourselves out, Detective Redding? And be sure you tell Carson I’m right where I need to be. Drake, too.”

ChapterNine

Whatever you want, little lamb.

Whatever you fucking want…

The momentthe mansion’s ornate doors closed, Ava’s knees buckled with relief. Just as quickly, Kingston’s hand was around her throat, his thumb forcing her chin up until she had no choice but to meet his artic blue gaze.

“How did you get past Jack?” he asked softly.

Ava swallowed. “I said I had to use the bathroom.” Her own hand came up, gripping his fingers so they wouldn’t tighten any more. “It’s not his fault —"

“What did I tell you, Jack?” Kingston cut her off in a dispassionate voice. “Devious.” His hand remained locked around the slender column of Ava’s neck, but it did not frighten her as it once had. The way he held her hostage was almost… tender.

“Sorry, boss. She got a head start on me,” Jack apologized, raking a hand through his hair. “I wasn’t expecting her to be so fast. Or that she would be armed.”

Kingston huffed out a disbelieving laugh. “Armed? With what, for fuck’s sake?”

“One of the ornamental daggers from the display over the fireplace.”

“Is that true?” Kingston inquired, tilting Ava’s chin higher.

“I thought I might need to defend myself.” Ava refused to be sorry for her actions. Kingston’s own words left no doubt as to the danger posed by their visitors. “I wouldn’t have used it on Jack. Or you.”

“Where are you hiding it?”

“My back pocket,” she confessed in a sullen whisper. It wasn’t fair, nor was it right how he manhandled her, but the truth was it made her shamefully wet, her body humming with anticipation.

Still holding her by the throat, Kingston’s free hand slid over her ass again until it closed over the dagger’s ivory handle which was hidden by her shirt’s flowy hem. He pulled it from her pocket. “Devious and bloodthirsty. You are a fucking treasure, Ava.”

He trailed the dagger’s sharp edge along the side of her throat, tracing her collarbone and further down to the softness between her breasts. “What did you plan on doing with this?”

Ava’s mouth hardened, her attention snapping from the dagger’s path. “If they had taken me, I would have killed them.”

“How, precisely?” He sounded amused by her ferocity. “You aren’t exactly trained for combat.”

“I would have cut their throats,” Ava choked out. Kingston’s mockery stung her more than she thought possible. He thought her weak and ineffective. Unable to defend herself. How she burned to prove otherwise!

“And if you failed, my wicked little lamb?”

“I would slit my own,” Ava’s grimly stated. “I won’t ever be Carson’s pawn again.”

In a fluid movement, Kingston tossed the weapon to Jack, who skillfully caught it one-handed.

“It would be a tragedy to destroy such a pretty little neck. I’m sure I’ll never find another that looks as gorgeous with my hand wrapped around it. Guess I’ll need to be more careful when it comes to you and sharp objects.” Kingston laughed softly. Glancing at Jack, he casually added, “Return that to its rightful place.”

“Sure thing, boss. Apologies again for letting Miss Blue get past me.”

“Don’t worry.” Kingston stroked the underside of Ava’s chin with the pad of his thumb. “She’ll pay for her impulsive decision. Obviously, I must reconsider the parameters of her confinement here at The Den since she has trouble obeying orders.”

Ava squirmed. “You’re being unreasonable.”

“I’m never unreasonable, brat, but I am occasionally surprised. It’s barely been an hour since you signed yourself over to me, and already, you’ve shattered certain rules of our contract. A disappointing development but not entirely unwelcome.” Jerking Ava forward, Kingston nipped at her bottom lip. A tiny droplet of blood welled up as some of his men chuckled.

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