Page 19 of Lady Death

“Darby’s business is—”

“Darby’s business is not worth his or your life.” Whenshe shook her head, he cursed. “You’re so fucking stubborn, you know that?”

“So I’ve been told.”

He studied her. “What else are you planning?”

“Nothing.”

Ronin’s viridescent gaze roamed over her face. “You’re a terrible liar. Tell me, Keres.”

She broke out of his arms and took a step back. “Why? I don’t understand.”

“You think I do?” he asked, running a hand over his face. “I have no fucking clue why I’m seeking you out, but I’m here so get used to it.”

She had nothing to say to that, and she certainly wasn’t going to tell him the rest of the plan. Davorin thought he was untouchable, but now he’s feeling vulnerable. If he wasn’t, he wouldn’t be scouring the city looking for the who-done-it. Although killing Davorin might be quicker, that’s not the revenge she and Darby wanted. They wanted him to feel insecure. Powerless. Exposed. It wouldn’t bring Jonathan or Abigail back, and it wouldn’t heal her shattered soul, but it would nonetheless be a devastating blow. Their loved ones avenged. The asshole had to know the pain of loss. Her only hope was to accomplish that before Davorin found them out. Her life might be over, but she was going to make sure his was too.

She, however, couldn’t say any of that.

“There’s no need to stay with me,” she said evenly. “I’m going to be at the gym all day.”

Then she turned and left him behind, although she had a funny feeling he wasn’t going to listen to her. The man was nothing if not persistent.

****

“How was your week?” Kori asked.

Keres took a sip of her caramel frappuccino before she set it aside. “You know. Same old shit.”

Kori cocked her head, waiting. Keres may not want to talk about what happened with Ronin, but she knew it was important. That’s how therapy worked.

“I-I had sex,” she admitted in a low voice.

To her credit, Kori didn’t even raise an eyebrow.

“With a man?”

“Of course, with a man,” Keres said with a little snark in her voice. “I’m not a lesbian.”

“That’s not what I was implying,” Kori commented, a mountain of patience in her tone. “Not too long ago, you hated all things penis related.”

“Okay, yeah.” She cleared her throat. “I guess I should start at the beginning.”

Although, she didn’t know where exactlytostart. Wasn’t like she could admit she killed three men, plus whoever had been in the warehouse. She felt absolutely no remorse for Davorin’s minions.

“I, ah, met this man by accident. At the gym. And we, uh, ended up having sex there. No biggie.”

Kori’s brow furrowed. “It is a biggie, Keres. You didn’t know him?”

“I mean, I’d seen him before but I wouldn’t say Iknow himknow him.”

“I see. Did he trigger a panic attack?”

Keres shook her head.

“Interesting.”

“Not that interesting. It was just a one-off.”

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