Page 107 of Cruel Revenge

My heart skips a beat before galloping in my chest.

If only she knew just howattachedI am to her.

I lean over, hand cupping the back of her head and pulling her into me.

Her lips are urgent against mine, teeth scraping and tongues tangling.

It’s the kind of kiss that makes a man want to promise insane things. Like cheating death to come back home to her after dealing with an unpredictable drug importer.

“I’ll do my best.” I pull away from her, wishing I didn’t have to leave.

If I could, I would stay here with her forever.

It scares the hell out of me.

I’ve never felt this way about anyone else. And it scares the shit out of me.

Because I’d walk through fire to get back to her.

Skyla gives me a warm smile before getting out of the car.

I pull out my phone and watch the cameras through the building, waiting until she’s in our apartment before I tuck the phone away.

As I pull away from the curb, I look at the rearview mirror, at what I’m leaving behind.

I can’t wait to get back home to her.

Grady meetsme in the driveway, a cigarette hanging out of the corner of his mouth, the cherry glowing. “You took your sweet time.”

“I got here as soon as I could. It’s a Friday night, and the damn city is gridlocked.” I slam the car door, staying close to it in case this meeting goes south.

“You know, secrets travel fast in this city. Really fast.”

I shrug, leaning against the car with my arms crossed over my chest. “You’re going to have to clue me into what you’re talking about.”

“Really?” He smirks and pulls the cigarette from between his lips, flicking off the ash.

He takes another long drag, blowing out the cloud of smoke. “You don’t want to come here and admit that your marriage has been nothing but fake this entire time?”

My stomach plummets to my feet. “Odd story for you to be spreading around.”

Grady flicks the cigarette to the ground, crushing it beneath his foot. “Funny. You know what I think? I think you found a Lynde and thought she would serve whatever purpose you have. Of course, you picked the most unstable one, thinking that would keep me from digging for the truth.”

“And what truth is that?”

“You don’t have a marriage certificate filed with the city.”

Fuck.

He laughs and shakes his head. “I trusted you. I thought you were telling me the truth, but if I had done my due diligence, I would’ve checked into the marriage earlier.”

“Is this going to be the part where you kill me for lying to you?” I reach for the gun at the small of my back.

“Don’t even think about it.” His voice takes on a deadly tone as he looks at me. “If you pull that gun, it’s going to be the last thing you ever do.”

“Why shouldn’t I?”

“Because I’m a kind man.” Grady smirks as he looks at me. He paces over in front of me, stopping a few feet away. “Now, since this marriage is nothing but a scam you came up with instead of being a man and marrying my daughter, we’ve got to come to an agreement.”

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