Page 23 of PortCity Killers

Valentina came forward, leaning against the desk in front of me, her legs and arms crossed as an amused smile filled her face.

Her teeth were bright, brilliant and perfect, polished, it seemed, like the rest of her. Her tan skin was a sharp contrast, making her canines seem even longer, and her eyes were calculating—like I was her next meal and she was deciding if there would be room for dessert.

“And you think the information you have is equivalent to your brother's life?” She asked, her smile easy as if we talking about the fucking weather. I guess this was part of the bullshit I should be remembering; definitely not how well that tailored suit fit or how her small breasts pushed up against the lines of her tank top under her jacket.

“I do.”

“Why?” She laughed. The sound was like pearls of joy, like she had just found something miraculous. “Where did you get such information, my love?”

I shifted uncomfortably, the desire to hear her use the name under more pleasant circumstances itching at the back of my thighs where I could feel sweat gathering, “I overheard Collin talking about it.”

“And if he was lying?”

“I verified the information...with a friend.”

I cursed myself as soon as the words were out. It was dumb to change the story, especially right here, in front of the very woman who likely wanted me just as dead as my little brother.

“Ah,” She nodded, “No doubt a nameless, faceless, and benevolent benefactor whom I am supposed to just trust on your word?”

I didn’t say anything, not wanting to put any more trust in my ability to fuck it up any more than I might have.

She tutted at me lightly, her nails clacking down on the wood of her desk, “The word of a thief’s blood? Perhaps treachery runs in the family.”

I felt my face heat at that; not that I had any fucking legs to stand on really, “I am not my brother. He’s made a mistake, and he knows that.”

“I would think he likely knew it when he was making it, my dear. Will you be there with him when he makes the next one?”

“No.” I grit my teeth, eyes darting around to where Don sat, still silent, watching the exchange with as much curiosity as a dumb bell. He raised a brow at me, making me look away, back to Valentina.

Her green eyes were framed by dark lashes that she fluttered dramatically when she asked, “And will you be cleaning up after him again the next time he decides to ‘make a mistake’?”

“No. What he does after this is his responsibility, not mine.” I shook my head, allowing all the disgust and frustration from the past twenty-four hours to fill my face because at least that was real, and I wanted to make that perfectly clear.

“Smart.” Her tone was light, as she sighed, like she was making a grand point, “Reasonable even, but that is a tough lesson to learn for a boy like your brother. A necessary one, yes, but a tough one nevertheless. Even tougher I expect for someone like you, my love, who seems adamant on swooping in and saving him.”

I was damn sick and tired of everyone reminding me that I was a fool, so I just smiled tightly, ignoring the rise of anger that flushed underneath my skin, “Collin brought me into this when he threatened both of us, that’s why I’m here, and that’s why I’m trying to fix things now. No other reason.”

“Of course, so you have said.”

The way she said it made alarm bells clatter through my head, did she know I was lying to her? Did she have Collin somewhere in a room, spilling all his bullshit secrets that didn’t line up to mine?

“Look,” I tried hard to reign my temper in, but I could feel it there, creeping up and trying to claw its way out of my throat. I didn’t know how Bryce did this every goddamn day of his life. I was not made for espionage, “I have the information, and its good information. I would just like you to give me a chance to fix this. I’m not here to kick up a fuss, just to get back to my old shitty job without worrying if I’m going to be offed in my sleep.”

Valentina’s lips curled wide and her eyes, which had been glassy and sweet before, filled with chaos.

I watched them as they gathered up violence from somewhere deep inside her, undulating with menacing bloodlust that had me nearly choking at the sight.

“But that’s where you’ve lost me, my dear. We love when they kick up a fuss, don’t we Don?”

Both our eyes went to Don’s who simply shrugged, his smile light and unamused by Valentina’s antics.

I got the feeling he often gave her that look, aloof, never truly showing whether he cared about something one way or another. “I think it would do well to listen to what she has to say, so we might be able to verify the information.”

Valentina pouted prettily at him, her lips pursing as irritation flashed past her face, “I suppose we ought to, yes.”

She rolled her eyes at me, leaning closer as if sharing a secret, “Don is always spoiling my fun. No matter, my little doll, out with it so we might be able to find out if you’re telling papi the truth.”

My eyes darted up at that, catching the tail end of her heated gaze. She raised her brow as if it was completely natural but my thudding heart and the rush to my clit protested any brain function.

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