Page 53 of Liar & Champion
I shook my head but I felt slightly better. “No puppies. When I had the place remodeled, a kitchen was extra space I didn’t need, but there’s a counter and a blender.”
“Nothing says homey like a counter and a blender,” Dirk said, finally looking up at me. There was something about the way his face was studiously blank that bothered me. He was having thoughts that he wasn’t going to share because I didn’t want to hear them.
I nodded at him. “Spill.”
He gave me his famous charming smile. “As Jezebel said so gracefully, it’s none of our business why you got married. You who breaks out in a cold sweat at the idea of marriage, particularly with cute girls who may be less experienced than you’d prefer.”
“What are you implying?” I said, narrowing my eyes at him.
Pinkie answered for him. “I saw her during the Horse’s whores episode fifty seven.”
“Five thousand and fifty-seven,” Trixie muttered with a scowl.
Pinkie glanced at her with a slight smile then continued. “She’s stunning.”
I hadn’t expected her to say that. “She is a beautiful woman.”
“Stunning isn’t the same as beautiful,” Jezebel corrected, looking more interested. “Continue, sweetie.”
Daniela Delavigne Prescott wasn’t anyone’s sweetie, not when stabbing was her go-to, but she only nodded. “Every man in the lobby noticed her, however well they pretended not to, like she was drawing strands around them to capture their attention. When she fell over behind the planters, seven men rushed toher rescue, only stopping because Trixie was right there to help her up. She must have been in the back of the elevator with the whores.”
“I don’t like calling women whores,” I said. “Even if it rhymes so well with Horse. Let’s keep it respectful.”
Pinkie narrowed her eyes at me like she was searching for something. “You’re concerned about her safety, but perhaps you should be more worried about yourself. She’s the kind of woman who can make a man or break him.”
I blinked at her. “Thank you, Dani. I appreciate your concern.”
“No, you don’t, but you asked,” she said with a shrug.
“Yes, I did. Now that you’ve warned me, you can rest easy.” I stood up, pushing back my chair. All day long it had been one circus fire after another. I was tired, mostly from being away from Sunshine. I’d texted her a few times, but she hadn’t answered. Tom was sitting outside my apartment, making sure she was safe, but it was important that I brought her dinner and made sure she didn’t feel like she was abandoned.
“I’d watch your bank accounts, if I were you,” Pinkie said as I started to leave.
I hoped that Kitten was diabolical enough to steal all my money and run, but I seriously doubted it. “Good night,” I said as I left. Truthfully, her warning had merit, but I was already married to my Kitten. I knew how dangerous it was to be vulnerable to a woman. My mother had taught me that a long time ago, but it was done. The race had begun, and I wasn’t about to quit until I’d seen it through to the end. Except how was I supposed to not go too far with my wife when I wanted her so much? All day the hunger had kept growing, and with it, an irritation for every other little thing in the world that mattered less and less compared to my Kitten.
When I got to the hotel, Horse was waiting for me by the back elevator.
“You want to talk about security?” he asked without the leer he usually wore.
I wanted to rush past him, but security was essential. “Your hotel is known for its security. Do we need to talk about it? I’m feeling like ripping you apart for allowing your admirers to harm my wife.”
He nodded soberly. “My admirers are getting out of hand. I’ll definitely have more security in the lobby in the future, just to take care of that. I could have caught her, but I thought you’d prefer if I let your wife fall rather than sweeping her up into my arms.”
I studied him while I considered. Horse was a very romantic figure, and Sunshine was an artist who admired beautifully sculpted men. I didn’t want to think about her wrapped in another man’s arms, particularly one like Horse. I finally shook my head. “There’s no winning scenario. If I weren’t in a hurry, I’d definitely punch your face a few times.”
“Because you’re testosterone fueled, a symptom of the systemic violence that permeates our society.”
I stared at him. “What now?”
“Her words. She thinks that you’re a home health care specialist who teaches self-defense classes. Why haven’t you told her what you do, who you are? She has genuine thoughts and feelings on the subject of violence that are notably strong and also eloquently stated. Why pick one of the few women who don’t faint at the thought of Nix Death-Hammer having his way with her? Actually, I can see her fainting at the thought of the man on the billboard in her bed, but not in ecstasy.”
I ran a hand through my hair. “She knows my other persona, the one I never mix with Las Vegas.”
“Then why did you bring her here?”
“The season is starting.”
“I see. Business before pleasure.” He shook his head like he was disappointed in me and got into the elevator. I followed him, standing there, wanting to rip him apart, needing to rip him apart, but when I felt like that, the last thing I’d do was give in to my impulses. I forced my body to relax, my mouth to soften into an almost-smile. I was going to see Kitten after a long day at work not beat the crap out of Horse. He could have saved her from falling over but hadn’t. I’m sure she was fine, I mean, I’d seen her skateboard. She’d had more than a few spills to get to that level, but at the same time…
