Page 79 of The Beautiful Dead

His hands slid up, curling around my neck as he pulled me in. Soft lips met mine, teasing, tasting; a groan rumbling from his throat as I tightened my grip, forcing him deeper into the kiss. I took my time, claiming every inch of his mouth, owning the way he melted beneath me. A whimper slipped free.

When I pulled back, we were both breathless. His sleep-hazed eyes were now glazed, cheeks flushed. He licked his lips, tipping his head.

“Shower with me?”

The words hit me like a spark to dry brush. My muscles clenched, my body already anticipating—his slick skin under the water, his face pressed to the tiled wall as I dragged my tongueover his entrance until he was trembling. Until he was too weak to stand. Until I had him wrapped around me, legs locked at my waist, fucking into his pliant body until he screamed my name and his release branded me like fire.

I exhaled sharply. Then, I smirked. “Lead the way.”

Remi toyed with the pendant around his neck as he headed into the bathroom. My fingers were making quick work of the buttons on my shirt when my phone buzzed in my pocket.

Ghost

I’m coming up!

Domino

Fuck off!!

Ghost

No can do, boss. Urgent.

Fuck! My morning was ruined. If Ghost was here at this time of day, it was bad news.

“Remi,” I barked. “Get dressed. Meet me in the lounge.”

The sound of water hitting his skin tested every last thread of my patience. The thought of stepping into that shower, pressing him against the cold tile, and sinking into him until he was nothing but a trembling mess beneath me—it was a distraction I couldn’t afford. Not now.

Not when Ghost was about to walk in.

He’d already spent too much time alone with Remi and watched him too closely. Was too damn interested. If he were anyone else, he’d be dead already—like Kyran Stirling would be shortly.

But Ghost was useful. Too useful to dispose of—yet.

The elevator chimed, and the doors slid open. Ghost stepped out, expression unreadable, but his eyes glinted with something sharp. Amusement. He was enjoying this.

“You’re not gonna like this,” he said.

I sighed, tucking my hands into my pockets. “Then start with something I will like.”

A smirk moved over his lips, but he didn’t waste time. “Kyran’s pressing assault charges. My guy at the precinct says he’s got enough to make it stick.”

My jaw flexed. “He doesn’t have shit,” I spat.

That little fucking rat just moved up the date of his execution.

Ghost lifted a shoulder, unconcerned. “He’s got witnesses. And Rutter’s already called me twice.”

Right on cue, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out and answered.

“This isn’t going away, Domino.” Rutter’s voice was tight, clipped. “Kyran made sure of that. He’s playing it smart—police backing, solid evidence. If this goes to trial?—”

“It won’t.”

“You can’t just make him disappear,” Rutter warned. “Not without consequences.”

I let the silence drag, let the weight of my next words settle over him. “Watch me.”

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