Page 70 of Hell Hath No Fury

The man who led me into the room motions me forward, so I walk until I’m a few meters from where the woman is standing. “Irina.”

She raises her brows and sneers, “Lilith.”

Not rolling my eyes is difficult. Not rushing her and snapping her neck is even more so. If there were a few less capable-looking people, I might take my chances, but alas, I manage to control myself.

As if she can read my mind, she says, “You’d never make it out alive.”

Inclining my head toward her, I reply, “Maybe not, but you’d still be dead, so…”

I leave my statement unfinished, my intent clear, and she narrows her eyes. “But what of lover boy here?”

I lean to my right a bit, glancing around her to where Antonio is seated on the edge of a mattress, appearing rather uncomfortable. I quirk a brow, turning my attention back to Irina as I say, “Collateral damage isn’t new to us.”

Irina steps to the side as she turns to Antonio. “You hear that? Now you’re nothing but collateral damage.”

Antonio feigns disbelief, his offended expression blatantly sarcastic as he says, “I’m shocked.”

A giggle escapes before I can stop it, and Irina turns back to me with wild eyes, “What the fuck is wrong with you two?”

I barely manage to clench my jaw, effectively trapping the bubble of laughter brewing in my chest. Irina looks between us, disgust evident on her features.

I shift my focus to Antonio, still sitting nonchalantly on the edge of the mattress. That bubble of laughter breaks free as he winks at me, a slight smile on his lips.

Irina curses and takes a step toward him. “I should slit your fucking throat and be done with it.”

“Why don’t you then?” I ask shortly, wanting her focus entirely on me. “Why go to all this trouble if you just want us dead?”

She stares at me blankly, and it’s then that it occurs to me. “You can’t kill us.”

Her lip curls, her hands fisting at her sides. “Maybe, maybe not.”

Glancing back at Antonio, he lifts a bare shoulder and says, “That’s last on the agenda.”

Grimacing, I turn my eyes back to Irina and reply, “Well, can we get on with it then? Big man back there’s gonna catch a chill.”

“If you want him, take him,” Irina says smugly, her smile cruel.

Shrugging, I walk over to Antonio, holding my hand out, fully intending to take him out of here fully nude if I have to. No sooner has he placed his hand in mine than Irina says, “Come now, Lilith, you know that’s not what I mean.”

Antonio grips my hand, tugging me so I’m standing in front of him, blocking him from her view. I turn slightly, peering at her over my shoulder. “Then say what the fuck you mean already.”

“If you want him, then take him,” she repeats, that cruel smile tinged with pleasure as she adds, “Just like all those old men have done for centuries.”

Antonio goes still, the implication behind her words entirely clear. His eyes meet mine, and I can only hope he doesn’t see the panic reflected in mine. “No. No fucking way.”

It’s like decades of nightmares have come full circle, culminating in the deep sense of dread currently twisting my guts. Shaking my head in denial, Antonio’s mouth curves slightly, his hand on mine flexing as he whispers, “It’s okay, Lil.”

“This is the stupidest fucking thing I’ve ever heard,” I mutter angrily.

“Maybe so,” he responds mildly. “But whatever gets us the fuck out of here is fine by me.”

“You know she’s not going to just let us leave, regardless of what we do here.”

“True,” he says with a nod. Then he leans in and whispers, “But is the cavalry coming?’

My eyes widen at the reminder, and I nod, knowing what he’s getting at without him having to explain.

“You can fuck me anywhere, anytime,” he drawls teasingly.

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