Page 35 of Inferno

“What’s up?” Conan asks.

“That guy, the stumbling buffoon,” I say, jerking my thumb back.

Finn glances past me and spots him.

“Yeah?”

“He just tried to drug my friend.”

Finn’s brows arch, a slow grin spreading across his face. Conan starts rubbing his hands together.

“You want us to deal with him?” Finn asks, already sliding out of the booth.

“Deal with it in a sense he will never do that again. Yes,” I say, voice cold.

“You got it, boss.”

They disappear, and I head back to her.

I don’t even know her real name. But I feel like I’ve known her forever. It’s unnerving.

She’s ordering our drinks when I get back. And when she turns to look at me? I’m fucked. That smile.

“Ice cold beer, no drugs, ordered,” she says, saluting. Then takes a seat, legs crossing like she’s doing it just to kill me.

I lick my lips before I embarrass myself. I’d get on my knees right here to worship every inch of her.

“Thank you, heartbreaker.” I wink.

“Why heartbreaker? Surely it can’t be broken that easily?” she asks, tilting her head, that little smirk playing on her lips.

“I’ve only experienced it once,” I reply as the beer slides across the bar.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” she says, lifting her espresso martini.

“I lost my mom. That broke my heart.”

I don’t even know why I’m telling her. It just falls out. Like the truth doesn’t want to hide from her.

She nods and sips her drink.

“It hurts, doesn’t it?” she whispers, eyes flicking away.

I want to touch her. Make her look at me again.

“That it does,” I mutter, taking a long swig from the bottle.

“But it also hurt being rejected by you.”

A flicker of a smile curves her lips.

“Did it?”

I nod, pressing a hand to my chest.

“Deeply. And then you rejected me again earlier. So it’s official. You are my heartbreaker.”

My heartbreaker. Mine.

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