Page 35 of Clinch'd

“Watch your tone, son,” he says, and I push to my feet before leaning over the desk.

“I’m not your fucking son,” I growl. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t end you right here.”

His eyes narrow while he assesses me before he says, “I can get you in touch with Shaw.”

“The dead end?” I say, raising a brow.

“Well, he said he saw her. Maybe he knows where she is now.”

“I want his info. Now,” I bark, and Patterson grabs up his phone.

After my altercation with Patterson, I’m pissed but I know I have to push it back behind the mask before I do something stupid, like kill something.

When I find Minnie in the bar facing off against Jordan, I shoot him a glare. I don’t have time for his antics. Since Minnie seems to be holding her own, I ignore the tension and lead her to the car.

My head fucking aches and I could use a damn break from reality but unfortunately, there’s no time for that.

I’m staring out the window, brooding about my lack of success when the soft caress of Minnie’s fingers touch my skin.

In some feral way, deep down, I know I don’t deserve kindness even in the form of a woman lying to me to, presumably get in my pants, and I recoil.

She drops her hand and a pit forms in my stomach. Grabbing her chin, I say, “What’s up?”

Her wide eyes do weird things to my insides as she pulls away, saying, “Nothing.”

My stomach burns but I ignore it until her phone buzzes, and she glances at the screen.

Did you get laid yet? You better not be wasting time in Sin City!

“Who’s Lorri?” I ask and she drops her phone in her bag.

“My, um, sister.”

“Hm, did you tell her you got laid, baby?”

Her brows crinkle and I smile although there’s nothing amusing about this conversation. What does she want from me? A good fuck? Or something more?

“Funny,” she says, and I look at my watch to avoid her expression.

I’m being purposely cruel, and I don’t know if it’s because I’m frustrated by Patterson or the reminder that I can’t trust the luscious little siren either.

“I’m tired. I’d like to go back to my room,” she says.

“Is that so?” I ask. It’s on the tip of my tongue to confront her but I subside when she closes her eyes.

“Yes, please. I’m tired.”

I’m caught between my desire to get to her truths and my dick which hardened when she exposed her throat.

Instead, I say, “I’ll drop you at your room, but you’ll need to be ready by eight pm.”

Tonight, I will get the answers I seek but not before fucking her again. When she frowns, I go in for the kill.

“What's the matter, baby? Tired of the pretense already? You wanted to piss off your cousin, right?”

“Right, um yes of course,” she says, and I watch her for the remainder of the ride. Once we’re at the curb, I leave her with plans to meet up later, her wan smile rolling around in my brain.

Chapter 13