Page 8 of Where the Wicked Reign

She was right on time as usual, a stickler for punctuality, as I’d discovered from myresearchon her over the last three years.

Since that night.

That night she’d come for me.

In the most delectable way.

Beautifully brutal.

Magnificently twisted.

Mmm.

As she climbed out of her vehicle and approached the entrance doors, two of her security staff emerged from around the sides, rushing up to her.

She frowned at their urgency, but managed to keep it from the rest of her body language, her ability to remain professional and unruffled always impressing me.

I saw the moment they informed her of the little surprise I’d left for her, because those ethereal emerald eyes of hers narrowed dangerously.

That’s right, Caterina, show me your true nature.

The security guards opened the double doors and the mountain of peonies came into view, many spilling out in the process. There were thousands of them blocking the entryway into her club, a club that was supposed to open in under an hour for a special, high-profile night wherein she had a visiting and very famous DJ performing whose presence was slated to cementLusteras the place to be in the City of Tolhurst and beyond.

I watched her stunned reaction, taking great pleasure in it, and enjoying her trying to contain her rage and indignation at the same time that her favorite flowers had been used against her.

She started giving orders and instructions to her security staff and they hurried off to do her bidding, to start clearing the way so her club could open.

Unfortunately for her, despite her best efforts, there was no way it would open on time now. The logistics involved in clearing all that away wouldn’t allow for that.

She retrieved her phone from her pocket and started typing rapidly.

In the next moment, mine buzzed, and I pulled it out to find a text from her, as expected. As usually happened between us when we struck against one another, continuing our amusingwar.

Caterina:Using my love of peonies against me. Two can play at that game. Watch this space, devil fucker.

I smiled to myself.

Nico:Can’t wait to see what you come up with.

Caterina:You’re gonna eat your words.

I’d rather eat you. All fucking over.

Nico:I don’t doubt it, knowing how vicious you can be.

Caterina:Only responding in kind.

Nico:It’s more than that. Still not ready to admit it yet?

Caterina:There’s nothing to admit.

Nico:Then let the games continue. Exactly what you want. Isn’t that right?

Caterina:Seems we need to add delusional to the rest of your psychotic tendencies.

Nico:Pot. Kettle.

Caterina:Burn in the fires of hell.

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