Page 86 of Cain
And then theresheis, stumbling out of the restroom.
I knew it.
She’s tugging down that pathetic little pink dress, trying to look like she still has some dignity. Behind her, some bulked-up asshole follows, grinning like he just won a prize.
I move in closer, my hands in my pants pockets and my eyes locked on hers like a predator circling its prey.
“Hello?” she says, unaware of who I am.
“You don’t remember me, sweetheart?”
Her eyes widen the moment she places me. Her face goes pale, like she’s seen a ghost.
I’m worse than that.
“You!” she whispers, unblinking.
She turns to run, but Landon grabs her wrist firmly, holding her in place. She winces at my smile.Smart girl.
“Miss me?”
The dude she was fucking before steps between us—muscles, attitude, all bravado.
“Back off,” he growls, puffing his chest out, trying to look taller than he is.
Before I can speak, Landon moves.
He steps in front of me, straight toward the guy. His stare is empty and emotionless. I bet he wishes things will go sideways, so he gets a chance to break him.
“You’ve got about three seconds,” Landon says. “Then, I make sure you can’t pick up a fork without help.”
The guy freezes and swallows.
Landon tilts his head, grin twitching like it doesn’t belong on a human face.
“You think I’m joking?” he whispers. “Try me. Please.”
The man steps back fast. He doesn’t say a word; he disappears.
I turn my gaze to Emily, who’s in shock. “Now that we’re done with the warm-up, let’s talk about you. Mind following us outside for a while? It’s too loud here.”
“B-But,” she stammers.
I take a step closer. “I insist.”
Her breathing’s uneven, but she gets the word out. “Okay.”
We three head for the door.
No one stops us. No bouncer. No questions.
This place is dirty enough that no one cares who walks out with whom.
“What do you want from me?” she asks, still stumbling from Landon’s pushing.
I shut the door behind us, the muffled bass of the bar cutting off, and step into the dark alley next to the building.
“Less than you think, sweetheart,” I say. “For starters, please excuse him for being so harsh.”
