Page 69 of Brutal Vows
When he only sits there staring at me like I just landed from outer space, I prompt, “Did you argue with Gianni? Did you find out something about those men? Has there been a change of plans?”
“The wedding’s still on, if that’s what you mean,” he says crossly.
I gaze at him for a moment, then sigh. “I’m sorry I’ve been so negative about that. I’m sure you can understand why, but… well, I was thinking that I’ve been really hard on you. Unfairly hard. After what you did yesterday…”
“What did I do?”
He says it as if he really has no recollection that he went full John Wick mode and hunted down and killed the men who blew a hole in the side of the house and wanted to kidnap Lili.
“You protected us. All of us. And you saved my life.”
He swallows, his Adam’s apple bobbing. His burning gaze never leaves my face. He says gruffly, “You saved mine.”
“Probably not. I mean, that guy was a terrible shot. You would’ve blown a hole in his forehead before he could’ve gottenoff another round. If it weremeshooting you in the back, you’d be dead. Not that I would shoot you, because I’ve decided I don’t hate you anymore, but you know what I’m saying.”
When I smile at him, he exhales a small, astonished laugh.
“Just like that, you don’t hate me anymore?”
I make a screwy face. “Let’s say I’ve downgraded it to intense dislike and leave it at that.”
“And all it took was a few murders,” he says, looking dazed. “Had I only known that sooner.”
“Ha. But seriously, all joking aside. Are you okay?”
He stares at me for a long moment in silence, then demands angrily, “Whoareyou right now? Where’s the swamp witch?”
“Why can’t I be a swamp witchanda sweetheart? Hecate had three forms, and everybody worshipped her. Also, you’re one to talk, Dr. Jekyll.” I stop to think. “Or is it Mr. Hyde? I can never remember which one’s the monster.”
Appearing exhausted, he sags back into his chair and passes a hand over his face. “Every time I have a conversation with you, I feel like I’m going insane.”
“I take it that means you’re not going to tell me what’s wrong.”
“I can’t!”
That leaves me deflated. “Because you don’t trust me.”
“No, because I don’t want to be telling secrets to the soul eater who replaced Queen Devil Bitch with this reasonable person.” He waves a hand at me in irritation. “Whoever she is.”
I raise my brows and stare at him. “Excuse me…Queen Devil Bitch?”
“Aye,” he says without missing a beat. “No, wait. That’s not it—it’s Queen Devil Bitch of All Existence.”
I’m horrified. “That’s what they call me? How awful!”
He chuckles. “No, that’s whatIcall you. God only knows what the other lads call you, but whatever it is, I’m damn sure they’d never say it to your face.”
Deeply insulted, I say, “That’s because they’re afraid if they did, their wives would be picking out their caskets. Quinn, a swamp witch is one thing, but…Queen Devil Bitch of All Existence? Seriously?”
“Have you even met yourself, lass?”
“I’m not that bad!”
He snorts and scratches his beard. “Aye. And vipers aren’t that poisonous.”
I cross my arms over my chest and smile at him. “Oh, that reminds me. It wasn’t sugar I put in your coffee. It was arsenic.”
“You’re only proving my point!”
