Page 20 of One Kill

But… do I tell Zavier about his cheating, back-stabbing staff, or do I keep my mouth shut and let his empire crumble beneath him?

Decisions, decisions.

Fuck it, I’d rather lose some money than give Zavier a heads-up.

I follow Zavier, weaving through the various tables of blackjack, craps, and roulette. There are slot machines around the edges, all occupied by people waiting for spaces to open up at the tables.

My back pocket begins vibrating and I check the time—ten-thirty—before checking the caller ID.

Hallie.

She’s messaged me at least once a day since we met, and even though I’ve been trying to keep my distance after nearly outing myself at her school the other day, she’s a persistent little thing.

I don’t want to ignore her again, because I have no doubt she’ll try again another thirty times, so I decide Zavier can wait. Following him into his office was a bad idea anyway; there’s no way we wouldn’t have fucked if I went with him.

Trouble is, Zavier notices, quickly moving to my side and looking over my shoulder as I press to answer the call.

“Hey, Kid. Everything okay?” That feeling of being in constant worry for her well-being that Murphy explained to me is strong. I’ve never experienced anything like it.

“Yeah, just wondering if I can see you this weekend. I booked us in at the salon to get our nails done on Saturday afternoon an—”

“Kid, that sounds great.” It doesn’t, it sounds like torture, but Zavier is staring at me with an amused expression on his smug fucking face and I’m being stupid right now.

Again.

Letting my guard down when I really shouldn’t be.

“But I can’t really talk right now, I’ll call you in the morning.”

“Okay, Mom. Talk to you tomorrow.” There’s a little sadness in her tone at first, but it’s quickly masked by a happy-go-lucky attitude and I can’t help the strange warmth flooding my insides, allowing a tiny smile to tip my lips.

“Tomorrow.” I end the call and look to Zavier, shrugging in awhat?motion as he continues to stare at me with a stupidly sexy eyebrow raised.

“Who’s Hallie then?”

“My real estate agent.” I can’t let him see Hallie means anything to me because he’s the kinda sick fuck who would find a way to use it against me.

“At this time of night?” He clearly knows I’m lying, it’s obvious in his amused tone. Sad story for him though; I won’t cower under his penetrating hazel glare.

“What can I say? I inspire people to work all hours of the night.” I keep my features neutral, shrugging, and do the only thing I can to change the subject—well, the only thing that doesn’t involve getting stabby. “I thought we were gonna fuck…” There’s a small pang in my stomach as the thought of Murphy crosses my mind, and as much as I would love to revisit that part of my past, I remind myself that they’re both safe if I keep my distance.

“I like a lady who speaks her mind.” Zavier laughs and holds out his hand for me to take. “I was going to offer you a drink first, but if you insist.”

“I could go for a drink.” Instead of taking his hand, I hold my head high and walk straight past him, toward the door I know leads to the back where his office is located.

This time, I don’t need to wait for security to let me through the door. It’s already unlocked and open as I approach so I decide to thank whoever’s behind the cameras tonight with a wink.

“Are you always full of this much sass, Shadow?”

My palm is resting against the round knob of his office door when Zavier crowds my space from behind, pushing his rock-hard cock into the bottom of my back and reaching a hand around to my throat. His lips are against my ear, his breath tickling my skin, and my pulsing clit reminds me the last time I had an orgasm was two days ago, by my own hands… with Murphy on my mind.

Fuck!

He’s safer without me—I need to remind myself of this more often than I’d like, like a broken fucking record.

“I’d be full of your cock too if you’d stop talking long enough to get the job done.” I push my ass back into Zavier and it’s followed by a deep rumble from his chest, which spurs me on.

Turning the knob, I push open the office door and grip Zavier’s hand suddenly on my throat. I don’t remove it, instead I keep hold of it at my throat and use it to drag him into the room behind me.

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