Page 6 of Choosing Jenny
“And you took a great deal of glee in fulfilling that order,” I snapped. “I saw your face, Rex. You enjoyed it. Did you have a personal grudge against Credo Bateen?”
“Mm, not exactly. But the old man always hated me. Said I was a bad influence on Justice. That I wasn’t to be trusted. He was right, of course.”
“I can hardly blame him.”
Rex didn’t look the least bit offended. “Neither can I. Credo had good instincts.”
“Was he as benevolent as everyone claims?” I asked curiously.
“To a fault,” he said with what sounded like contempt. “Always droning on about helping the weak, and defending the unfortunate. A shame, really. He ruled for over two decades and even forced his consort to wear the same dress to court at least twice, before she could be rid of the worn garment. He didn’t care who he insulted with his foolish ways. He even used to tell Justice, ‘just because you’re royalty doesn’t mean you’re better than anyone else.’ Have you ever heard anything more ludicrous?”
“One or two things come to mind,” I said stiffly.
The mental image of standing agape at what Rex had done to Credo back on the island came to mind. Once again, the guilt turned my stomach, but I told myself that Rex was freakishly fast and skilled, and when it happened, I had been unprepared to deal with him. The caretakers’ deaths had been equally impossible to avoid, if I wanted to live. To take on Rex Terian would require more than a small bone knife.
He stepped toward me, staring into my eyes. “Have you lost your edge, Malice? Have the years drained away your bloodlust?”
I chuckled, like I was insulted. “How dare you.”
He tipped his head. “Forgive me, but when you refused to have a little fun with those caretakers, I became concerned for the only man whose bloodlust had once matched my own.”
He reached out and straightened my shirt. It was one of the ways he often initiated contact before things turned hot and heavy, which was the last thing I wanted.
His hands slid up my shirt, grabbed my collar, and he pulled me close. “Why didn’t you ever visit me on Halla?”
It was a valid question, but before I could respond he went on.
“I died, Malice,” he said, his tone low and sharp. “And you never came to see me. Not once. Did you even mourn me?”
“I did what anyone does when they lose their partner in crime.”
“Which is?”
“More crime.”
That made him laugh. Then he bit his lip, seductive as ever. “Tell me all about your crimes. It’ll get me in the mood.”
“I did anyone and anything that crossed my path. For a time. But after a while…” I shrugged. “It got old. Too easy. Pedestrian, even. You’ve been out of the game for a while, Rex. Killing those caretakers? That was beneath you. I’m surprised you enjoyed it so much.”
A slow grin pulled at the corners of his mouth. “Even cats like to play with their food, now and then.”
The thought of cats made me think of Tiger, and without realizing it, I sighed.
“Bored of me already?” Rex drawled.
I focused on the man in front of me. “Certainly not. I understand the impulse. But we’re both soaked in blood and if you’ll recall, that’s not exactly a turn-on for me.”
He stepped away, then cast a sidelong glance my way. “You sure that’s the only reason?”
“What other reason would there be?”
“Oh, I don’t know.” His eyes turned shrewd. “Maybe you’ve lost your edge. Or maybe yourfuck buddieshave become something more.”
I laughed. “Since when are you so insecure, Rex?”
“Being murdered twice does things to a man,” he said bitterly.
“What happened?” I asked him. “The first time, I mean.” I was already well aware of how he’d died the second time.
