Page 76 of Roses and Skulls

He runs a hand through his gorgeous hair. Fuck, he looks like a model standing against the backdrop of the darkening sky. I lick my lips, suddenly wanting to taste him.”

“No.”

My fantasy snaps. I narrow my eyes at him. “I took a big risk coming here today. I’m not leaving until I get my answers.”

He twirls the ring in his nose as he processes my words. “Answers to what?”

When I don’t answer, he snaps, his hand striking out, his fingers wrapping around my throat. He gruffly pulls me towards him. “I’ve been tiptoeing with you, but now I have your father’s blessing. We,” he squeezes, cutting off enough of my oxygen to make my eyes go wide. “We are in this, together.”

His fingers loosen, letting me suck in a breath before tightening again. I claw at his hands. Jesus.

Elijah drags my face to his, bumping his nose against mine. “Comprende?”

I nod with a jerk, not able to move much with his goddamn giant hand wrapped like a python around my neck. Something about the way he’s looking at me, holding me helpless in his grip, makes strange things start to brew low in my gut.

When he releases his hold on me, I bend over, coughing, trying to suck precious oxygen into my lungs.

“So, if there are any trees you want to climb, any planes you want to jump out of, or any whorehouses you want to visit, you will make sure I’m by your side.”

I rub my hand over my throat, glaring at him. “You do know I lived the last fourteen years without you.”

He tips his head, staring at me down his perfect fucking nose. A clear warning to shut my mouth before he shuts it for me.

“Fine, jeez, I’ve just traded one jailer for another,” I grumble, stomping away, headed down the road towards my destination.

Elijah jogs to catch up. “I think you’ll find I’m a much more pleasurable gate keeper.”

Rolling my eyes, I snort.

“Who are you meeting with?” he asks, turning serious as we approach the building.

I called from the bus on the way over for a meeting with the owner. They may or may not be thinking that I’m coming in for an interview but I’m not telling Elijah that. At least not until I’m in the building.

“The owner.”

“And?” he prompts.

“And I have a few questions for them. Like why my grandfather had been paying a lot of money to their establishment.”

Elijah halts in his tracks, the gravel crunching beneath his feet. His hand snags mine, pulling me to a stop with him. “Billie Rose,” he says softly, looking at me all sad and shit. “Some things are better left unknown. Do you really want to know why your grandfather was spending money at a whorehouse?”

“It’s not like that.” I shake my head, pulling away from him.

“Then what’s it like?” he asks, reluctantly following me to the doors.

I ignore his question and step inside. It’s mid-week, so there are only a few men and women milling around when we walk in. A young woman bounces over to us and when I say bounces, her tits almost hit her in the face. She eyes Elijah up and down, sticking the tip of her tongue out to run over her top lip.

I glance at him, but he’s unaware of her interest, his eyes darting around the room. A growl escapes me before I can reign it in and I step in front of him, forcing her eyes to me. Of course, the deep rumble that came out of me draws his attention back to us. He chuckles quietly behind me. Dick.

Taking a deep breath, I manage to force a smile on my face. “I called earlier, I’m here to see the owner.”

Her shoulders drop, clearly disappointed that we’re not here to enjoy the services of the establishment. “Follow me,” she says on a sigh, mumbling under her breath about none of the good ones wanting to play.

I roll my eyes as we make our way down the dimly lit hallway. Obscene sounds emanate from behind closed doors, staining my cheeks bright red. She knocks on a door at the end of the hallway. “Bell, that girl that called is here to see you,” she hollers through the door.

“Well, show her in.”

She turns to look at me, smacking her gum loudly before turning the doorhandle and pushing it open for us. As we walk past her, I glance back, catching her eyeball Elijah’s ass. A restless energy bubbles in my veins, she’s really pushing it.

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