Page 68 of I Am Lioness

Peering around me, I searched for this greeting source until a small figure stepped into the light, freezing me in shock. Not that I could move, really, I was bound to a fucking chair.

“Lexi?”

She smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. “That’s me.”

“What do you want?” I asked in confusion.

“The same thing my partner wants. Oh, and my title. I want my fucking title back too.”

Hazel.

Renewed fear consumed me in an instant and I struggled against my restraints in attempt to break free. “Where’s Hazel?”

Lexi laughed. “She's in one piece. Not to worry, handsome. We got her pretty good, however, I do suspect she'll be waking upanyminute now.”

My heart hammered at an alarming rate, my chest rising and falling with each breath as though I'd just run five miles. Panic surged through my veins, churning my stomach with a heavy dose of unease.

“Where is she?” I gritted out.

“In the bathroom of your suite,” uttered a voice I knew all too well.

I snapped my head toward the sound and sure enough, there he was, stalking toward me with a satisfied smile etched on his pretty boy face.

“So nice to see you again, Mr. Carr.”

“What do you want, Jason?” I growled, leering at him as he stopped a foot away from me.

“The question is, Mr. Carr, whatdon'tI want?” His smile widened. “If we’re being honest, I want it all, but I'll narrow it down for that tiny little mind of yours to better understand.”

Reaching into his jacket, he pulled out the Glock he always carried when on the job and dragged the cool tip along my jaw to my chin, forcing me to meet his stare.

“Your girl, for one. Well, I used to. I don't particularly care for the little bitch anymore. Hot piece of ass she is though, huh? Pretty face, great tits, nice figure”—he shut his eyes and groaned exaggeratedly—“I can't tell you how many times I got off to thoughts of her naked, in my bed…”

I jerked forward with a snarl, the chair screeching through my momentary lapse of judgment.

Jason threw his head back and laughed, the diabolical sound echoing off the walls of the room. Then the gun was roughly pushed against my throat.

“Easy there, tiger. Save your energy.”

“What. Do. You. Want.Jason.” I enunciated every word of my question just as my phone began blaring in my pocket.

Jason glanced at Lexi who stepped forward without hesitation and sauntered to where I sat.

“I'm not trying to feel you up, I promise.” She cooed, patting me down until she felt the vibration coming from my right pocket. Swiftly fishing it out, she handed it to Jason.

“Oh, well look at that.” He chuckled, shaking my phone in his hand. “Right on time too. Now I can spare myself from having to repeat the same thing to the both of you.”

Accepting the call, he lifted the phone to his ear. “What can I do for you, Miss Perry?”

A momentary sense of relief washed over me knowing Hazel was indeed okay but it melted away when I realized she was more than likely losing her damn mind.

Jason listened intently, that devious grin slithering across his face again. “The one and only.”

Apparently Hazel’s response was comical because he laughed. “Knox is bit”—his eyes flickered to my restrained form—“tied up at the moment. Can I take a message?”

He listened and laughed again, more like howled, taking the few steps toward me and holding out the phone just inches away. “Well go ahead. You're on speaker.”

“I’m okay, baby.” I said in the steadiest voice I could manage.

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