Page 90 of Vengeful Lies

Love has only ever hurt me. My parents proved that to me. One left of their own free will, and the other died. It’s the only kind of love I know, and I refuse to think that someone like me will receive any other form of it.

Eli smirks expectantly as a car pulls up in front of us. “Took them long enough.” It’s an older car, and at first, I think nothing of it. That is until four huge men get out and walk directly toward us.

“Jewel?” Eli says charmingly.

“Hmmm?” I reply, not taking my eyes off the men.

“Look at me.” I do as he says and find him watching me, not them. “Feel free to kill anyone who touches you.”

Motherfucker set me up again for someMr. and Mrs. Smithbullshit.

“Don’t you have men for this shit?” I ask with an insincere smile.

“We’re not on speaking terms at the moment, and killing with you is the most fun.”

I side-eye him, not entirely sure I should be flattered by that, considering how many times he’s now endangered my life, but I can’t ignore the spark of adrenaline it fills me with. It’s like he knows I can’t resist my impulsive, curious side that will most likely one day get me killed. In fact, I don’t know how it hasn’t already.

“Mr. Monti,” one says, his hand going to his jeans as he looks my way. “And who is this?” My smile slips as I look in his direction now. His front teeth are chipped and look like they could do with a good brushing, and he’s wearing a black shirt that has seen better days. The men who stand behind him are eyeing Eli as if he’s their favorite snack.

“Should I know you?” Eli asks, sounding bored.

The man chokes on a laugh. “I’d heard the little Monti had fangs, but you made the mistake of taking our business. Andthen you left it vacant for two years. Did you really think we’d let you get away with that? We’ve been waiting for the moment you’d step back in these parts so we could teach you a lesson.”

Eli shrugs as if it’s not his problem.

“You’ve been warned several times, Anthony. This is no longer yours,” Eli says with a false sense of casualness. And I realize with startling clarity that even in his deranged, ecstatic state, Eli brought me to not only make a point of the empire he envisions to continue to build but to execute this pent-up wild energy that hasn’t entirely left him since his father threatened me. Eli came here to kill, and he simply waited for someone to come for his head.

“This is my fucking area!” Anthony screams, spit flying. His men take a wary step closer. Then, their boss’s gaze lands on me again, and a cruel, twisted smile appears on his lips. “Maybe I’ll take what’s yours once I kill you. It’s very rare and very stupid for you to go out at night without backup.”

“Who said I don’t have backup?” Eli replies.

I slowly and stealthily move my hand to my hip, but I make a point not to show my gun because I always appreciate the element of surprise. I’ve been using this gun for so long it feels like an extension of myself.

When the men take me in, thinking they’ve sized me up, they throw back their heads and laugh. That pisses me off. Not because their response is unexpected but because of the opposite. It’s always the same. They always underestimate me simply because I’m a woman, which is why they end up dead.

“You made a mistake coming back here without your men, boy. And we’ll send you and your little gal pal back to your father chopped up into little pieces to send him a message.”

I try not to laugh at the “gal pal” comment, and I can also see the corner of Eli’s mouth twitch. It’s an unfortunate thing that Eli knows my weaknesses. I’m a moth to a flame when it comesto being reckless, and having an enabler by my side might be the most dangerous thing for me… and him.

I find it hilarious that they think they can hurt me; I could kill at least two of them before they reached me.

Two of the men behind Anthony start toward Eli. He doesn’t seem concerned about their approach. If anything, it appears he’s willingly letting them get close. Is he testing me or something? He even lets them slowly take hold of his arms, one on each side. What the fuck is he thinking?

“I should make it known I don’t like being touched,” Eli says but still makes no attempt to get away from them. I don’t know how to read this version of Eli. Is he ensnaring them to make the kill more exciting?

“But you seem smart enough to understand your situation,” Anthony chirps with pleasure.

“Oh, it’s not me you should be worried about,” Eli sing-songs as they start to drag him toward the car. I stand there, shocked, wondering why he isn’t fighting back when I notice the fourth man heading in my direction. For every step he takes toward me, I take one back.

What the fuck are you doing, Eli?

“It’s okay, darling, we won’t bite…” The man smiles, and I see he needs a toothbrush as well. “Much.” He laughs.

I’m shocked when Eli lets them punch him in the stomach, and then he laughs like a loon. They hit him again, and he laughs harder. Oh my fucking God, he’s actually lost it. He’s lost his fucking mind. They warily glance at one another, confused. That makes three of us.

“You think this is funny?” Anthony barks, finally walking over himself and kneeing Eli in the stomach, which forces him to double over. Eli goes quiet, most likely because it’s knocked the wind out of him.

I still have no idea what’s happening. I’m waiting for a sign something from Eli to indicate what I’m supposed to do. I’m not sure what he’s wanting out of tonight. I thought it was blood, but is it something else that I’m not clearly understanding?

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