Page 78 of Always A Villain
His words spread warmth through my limbs, making it hard to think straight.
“How you feeling?” he asks, like it’s just us, like there isn’t a war brewing outside these walls.
“I’m okay.” I glance up at him. “How’s Kane?”
“Needs rest, but he’s tough.”
Then he drops the bomb. “We’re going to the Iron today.”
I freeze.No. No fucking way.
“Good luck with that.”
“Rory, I’m serious.”
“Axe, no.” I shake my head. “I’m not going. I can stay here.”
His arms tighten slightly. “I want you where I can keep an eye on you.”
“I’m not going back there.”
The shame—I can still hear my father’s voice ringing in my ears.You were never enough. And now, you are nothing.I refuse to walk back into that place and let him see just how much he broke me.
“Rory, it’s not optional.” His tone shifts, that dangerous edge creeping in. “You’re coming.”
“No, I’m not.”
His jaw clenches. “We’re leaving in a few minutes. Finish eating.”
I glare at him. “Fine. But we’re stopping for coffee.”
“We have coffee here.”
“Not an iced caramel macchiato with almond milk.” I lift my chin in defiance.
“Jesus Christ,” he mutters, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Anything else, your highness?”
“Yeah. A croissant.”
“Elite hitmen are hunting us, and you want a damn croissant?” He looks at me like I’ve lost my mind.
“No,you’rebeing hunted. I’m just your prisoner.”
“My prisoner?”
A slow, wicked smirk spreads across his face. He presses closer, caging me in against the counter, hand sliding to the nape of my neck. “That’s an interesting way to put it.”
“What other word would you use?”
His lips barely brush mine. “My little siren.”
“My toy,” he breathes, thumb tracing my bottom lip.
His gaze flicks from my mouth to my eyes. “Mine.”
“You’re so possessive.”
“When it comes to you?” His grip tightens. “Very.”
