Page 54 of Terror

“Fucker!” The king races after him, catching him just before Loven exits the door, and shoulder to shoulder, they’re stuck in the frame. The king slaps Loven and pushes his way through. Through the window, I watch Loven trip the king and mount the first hound he comes across. Then he waits for the others.

“The address,” the prince commands.

“District Two. Twenty-nine sixty-one Kimyo Street. Apartment ten.”

The prince bolts out the back door.

Arkin looks disappointed. “You didn’t have to give him the address.”

“I know. I gave him the wrong one.” I tell Arkin where he can get Travis.

He grabs me and sticks his tongue into my mouth as if we’re the only people in the room. Then he practically disappears. At the gate, he mounts Miyo as Sotay mounts his hound. They take off for the marina.

I’m left with Seer.Okay.“Um, you’re not going?”

“Do you really think they need me?”

“No.”

He grunts. “Your home is warm and nice. I like it.”

“Thank you.”

“Prepare a spare room for me. I hear there’s a big pool. I’ll be outside tanning. Bring me a towel and some lemonade.”

“Excuse me?”

“Prepare—”

“I heard you, Hordesman. What’s the magic word?”

“Pussy.”

I laugh then prop my elbows on the counter. “Listen here, I’m an Omega, but I’m not your Omega or your maid. Take any room you like, the lemonade is in the fridge, and towels are in the closet on your way to the pool. Make yourself at home.”

Chapter 20

Arkin

The boat quarters reek of stale beer, whiskey, vodka, marijuana, and desperation. Cans and bottles, fast-food bags, and wrappers litter the counter. The garbage overflows. I lean against the kitchen sink right across from the bathroom where Travis is taking a shit. He flushes, washes his hands, and slides the plastic white door open.

I will never forget the look on his face. The wide eyes, the paleness of his skin, or the mouth that slightly drops before he gets his wits about him, pulls out a gun, and aims for his head.

Tsk tsk tsk.I leap and knock the gun out of his hand.

He takes out a knife. I wrestle it from his grip and grab him by the throat, squeezing, but only a little. “Hello, Travis. I’ve never been so eager to see a man in my entire life. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

He spits in my face.

I ignore the stickiness of his saliva. “You can’t provoke me to kill you. I have endless amounts of patience. I get that from my human mom. You’re one unlucky bastard you’ve chosen to fuck with me.”

“I have valuable information.”

“I know.” I smile. “And you will tell me everything.”

“What do I get in return?”

I put him down, and he steps back, eyes on the exit. “You get to reduce your suffering.”

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