Page 124 of Breaker

With my head cocked to the side, I stare off like I’m trying to place the name. Meanwhile, I’m thinking about how Harlow will not enjoy our chat later. How he failed to tell me this important detail, one Ineededto know, makes my already throbbing headache grow. Because my girl not having to marry this sack of shit is definitely something I needed to know.

Unless he doesn’t even know yet.

“Can’t place her,” I say, removing my aviators and tucking them into the pocket of my shirt. “Should I be congratulating you on your freedom or expressing my condolences for your breakup?”

He lets out a bark of laughter. “Definitely a congrats is in order. The girl was a complete whore. And the worst part, she can’t give head to save her life.”

Tap, tap, tap.

I want to tell him I know firsthand my woman sucks dick like she’s trying to take my soul into her body. Thank fuck Viper’s not here. Zane’s face would be ground into this glossy white table by now.

“Nice ass though,” he continues, oblivious to the ways I’m imagining breaking his hands. “That pussy though.” He grimaces. “Honestly, I was scared to go bare with her. She’s spread her legs so wide for anyone to sink in that she’s got a goddamned cavernous gaping hole between her legs.”

Tap, tap, tap.

“Why did you propose?” I ask. “That pussy must have been good at some point.”

The urge to wash my mouth out, to rid myself of those foul words, makes me slam my drink back. Then the other. The vodka burns my tongue, sears my throat, and I relish the feeling. It’s better than tasting the acidic flavor those belittling words left behind.

“Rune,” Zane says, raising a hand to the stewardess and motioning to me. “He wanted me to marry the girl. She’s fucking loaded, but she’s not worth it. Every time I sank into her, I was risking my life. I had her tested, but shit, she was like fucking a bag of marshmallows.”

He had her tested.This fucking rabid killer had my girltested.

Tap, tap, tap.

I imagine smashing my glass into his mouth until his teeth knock down his throat. He’s not once touched our Little Red and the fact he’s lying and insulting her all in the same breath sends electric fury through my veins. It sends noise, roaring in my ears. My insides coil up, my chest drawing together tighter and tighter until it feels like I need to dig my nails into my skin and pull myself a part. Pullhimapart.

“I understand,” I say, eyeing the stewardess as she sets my fresh drink down. I let my fingers trail over her hand, like Ben would, giving her a flirty wink. My hand stings, and I wrap it around the glass, hoping to dull the feeling of another woman. Worse, the sticky sensation of touching someone without their permission. “Making connections in this business is important.” I flash Zane what Viper calls my panty-melting smile, and it feels like my fucking soul is shriveling up. How I’m going to pull this off, I have no clue. “But not at the risk of your dick falling off.”

Zane barks out an annoying laugh.So fucking funny. He won’t think it’s funny as I’m plucking his fingernails out one by one.

“You can take her downstairs,” Zane says, lifting his chin to the stewardess I just felt up. “Let off a little steam before heading out.”

I need to let off steam, but not that way. Only violence will ebb this tangled up darkness in my chest.

“Besides, she knows she’ll get a bonus if she doesn’t put up much of a fight.”

Tap, tap, tap.

I wink, my stomach roiling. “We love a little fight, don’t we?”

Tap. Tap.

Tap, tap, tap.

“But I need to head out soon.”

“Ah, yes,” Zane says, gesturing to the steward standing behind the long bar. “We need to go over the contract before I have my office forward it to your associates.”

The contract.Finally. The entire reason I’m here.

As the steward retrieves a thick envelope from the cabin, I take note that Rune and Zane haven’t replaced their security staff, which I find concerning. Makes me wonder if he’s that paranoid, which could be even more dangerous for us, or if he’s waiting, thinking we’ll make a move on him. Neither scenario is ideal, because if he’s waiting for us to make a move, leaving himself exposed, he could have a plan up his sleeve. But Clyde’s heard nothing.

It’s possible the lack of security could be Rune’s way of showing Fallon he’s open for discussion. Leaving himself vulnerable to an attack could be a message to Father that he’ll do anything to get Delilah back.

The steward brings a large, thick envelope, and hands it to Zane. Zane removes the contract, setting it before me. I lift the first page, acting like I’m reading it. No need. I already know what it says. Clyde gave us a copy to study years ago.

I lift a brow when I come across the initiation portion of the contract. “Initiation?” I ask. “Is our business not enough?”

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