Page 7 of Monster: King of Nevada

“Lucas said I wasn’t a prisoner.” Her sharp tongue makes my dick twitch.

“Lucas doesn’t own the property.” I remain calm.

She huffs. “What am I doing here?” She’s frustrated, but there’s underlying uncertainty, as well.

Finally, I place my cup down and turn to face her. Even with the bruising, she’s a beautiful woman. Without it, I imagine she’d be a knockout. Her auburn hair cascades around her head, drawn up in a messy bun, with long tendrils tickling at her neck and shoulders. She has perfectly pouty lips I’d like to taste, with these soulful green eyes that sparkle defiantly.

“You tell me. I left an empty house and came home to an extra guest.” Her eyes narrow at my slight accusation.

“Rue said you had a job for me.” Her clenched jaw looks painful as she tries to rein in her temper.

“Lucas said… Rue said… What about what…what’s your name?” I know it, of course. It appears I like the way she doesn’t back down from me, though.

“Ella. Ella Gallagher.” I love how feminine it is.

“Ella,” I say softly, testing it out. “What about what Ella says?… You seem to listen to an awful lot of people that aren’t yourself.”

She lets out a tiny growl of frustration before stomping a foot like a child. “You’re aggravating.”

“And you’re throwing a tantrum like a little girl. Why don’t you go along to your room now until you remember your age.”

Her jaw drops as I stand to my full six-foot-five height.Fuck, I love how tiny she is–about a full foot shorter than me.

I leave the room while she’s speechless, despite how badly I want to pull her into my body and kiss away her attitude. I hope she never loses it. Sparring with her has been the most amusing part of my year.

Locking myself in my office, I give good old Nick a call.

“Hey man, how’s the girl doing?” he asks before I get a greeting.

“She’s mouthy,” I sigh.

“Really? She’s always quiet as a mouse when she’s here.” I can almost see his wicked grin.

“I spent ten minutes with her, and all we did was fight.”

Sitting back in my chair, I recall our interaction, and I can’t say I didn’t like it. She’s quick-witted with her comebacks, and I find myself eager for our next encounter.

“Theias?” I sit up when I hear Rue’s voice, annoyed still that Nick got his hands on her before me. The jealousy hasn’t lessened from that one afternoon I was around them, and she let him fuck her in front of me. “She’s fragile and on the defensive; you have to be nice.” The stern tone catches me off guard.

“She’s the one with the attitude, not me.”

Nick snorts in the background.

Rue sighs. “Please. I really believe she needs you. More than she’ll admit.”

“So, I’m the rebound?”I don’t fucking think so.

“No. You’re her forever.”

She hangs up on me before I can put my foot any further in my mouth.

There’s a knock at my door. “Come in!” I shout, still frowning.

“You constipated or something?” Caleb asks, his nose scrunched up in disgust.

“Why the fuck would you ask me that?” It would seem I’m surrounded by sarcasm today.

“You look like you’ve been sucking on lemons is all.” Dropping into the chair in front of my desk, he quickly switches subjects. “Who’s the pretty redhead all beat up?”

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