Page 25 of When He Hunts

She inched the covers a wee bit higher.

He angled toward her as his gaze locked onto hers. “Hell, yes, she’s dead.”

Her heart squeezed.

“How did I do it? A quick push of too many drugs in her system, and she collapsed in my arms. Died with a smile on her face.”

No, she had not. Goosebumps rose onto her arms as she realized just how easy it would have been for Ronan to actually kill her. If he’d given her different drugs, she would be dead right now.

She inched a bit away from him.

His left hand flew out and curled around her arm. He shook his head once. Hard.No.

Right. Not like shecouldgo anywhere. On account of the handcuffs. The handcuffs had to go. Permanently.

“Pretty sure there were witnesses,” he added, sounding bored. “Some idiots who thought they’d get the bounty. Three of them were there. We fought. I kicked their asses.” Simple statement. “No one takesmybounty.”

His expression had hardened. A wave of fear snaked through her.

“I’ll expect payment to hit my account today. If it doesn’t, we’ll have a problem.” Not so bored. More menacing.

He’s getting paid for my murder.And she’d just asked the guy to fuck her. Obviously, she was having issues.

But the Fed trusts Ronan. There is more going on here than meets the eye. He’s not who I think.

Or maybe she just hoped he wasn’t.

I’m alive. If he was the bad guy, I would be dead.

“You wantwhat?”Ronan demanded. And his hand snaked down so that he was suddenly holding her hand. “A finger?”

Her hand jerked in his grasp.

He tightened his hold.

“You want me to send you a freaking finger from her as proof that she’s dead?”

Now she was the one to shake her head. Over and over and over again.

“Nothappening,” Ronan snarled.

Her breath expelled in a rush of relief as her shoulders slumped.

“Why? Why is it not happening?” A rough laugh escaped him. “Because the alligators have already taken care of her body. I went to a cabin in the bayou—friend of mine has the place—and I dumped her last night. She sank fast, and the gators were closing in as I watched. There are no fingers left. There isnothingleft of her. Luna Black is gone.” A brief pause. “And I expect my payment. It had better be in my account by noon, or believe me when I say, there will be hell to pay.”

She believed him. He sounded so convincing. Luna truly thought there would be hell to pay. But…

He also sounds so convincing when he says I’m dead.Even though she was sitting and breathing right in front of him.

Ronan hung up the phone. He tossed it back on the nightstand. Then without a word, he went to work unlocking the cuff. The softsnickas the handcuff opened seemed extra loud in the suddenly very quiet room.

She kept holding the sheet. Sitting in the bed. Staring at him.

“Still want to fuck me?” Brutal. Guttural.

Luna flinched. “You’re a very good liar.”

He laughed. The sound was rough and deep and chilling all at the same time.

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