Page 28 of PortCity Killers

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It wasn’t the soft, cool fingers digging into my curls that woke me up but the sounds I made to them.

My own soft moan brought me to the brink of consciousness, and my whole body stilled as my eyes slid open only to find Valentina’s bright emerald ones gazing at me with an adoration that seemed out of place given the circumstances.

“Buenos días, muñequita.”

I didn’t know if I should be ripping myself from her grasp or leaning into her touch as her fingers slid down my scalp and to the back of my neck. I shivered, unable to stop my body’s reactions to her when my brain wasn’t fully powered on.

She squeezed gently, pleased given the smile on her face. Her other hand slid in my lap over the covers, entirely too close to between my thighs, not that she could know that given how thick the blanket was, but the way she lit up told me she had some sort of idea.

My eyes darted to my brother, the soft rise and fall of his chest as he lay with his back to us.

“He is fine. Your information checked out beautifully, my dear.”

I let out a breath I didn’t even know I had been holding, my body going limp and lax.

Valentina chuckled quietly as she straightened, “Come. Don is waiting for us; we have some business to attend to before your cub awakens.”

I scrambled from the chair following her soft clacking heels as she walked down the stairs. I closed the door over, not wanting Jaymes to have a panic when he woke up without me there. I gripped the railing, gently lowering myself down the stairs.

My legs felt like hollow sticks, as if at any moment they might snap under me if I wasn’t careful. My stomach flipped around until I could practically taste my pulse as it pounded through me.

Valentina and Don were standing in the same positions they had been yesterday, leaving the lane for me to take the seat I had taken before as well.

My sweater and Bryce’s jacket were laid across the arm, waiting. I nearly dove to the seat, my fingers brushing against the leather jacket that held my phone still in the pocket.

I slid my arms into the cool inside lining, a wash of calm seeping into my skin at Bryce’s salty scent.

The heaviness of my phone added another layer of comfort as I walked around the room, settling on a spot where I could see them both lounging.

“Before you leave, we have a surprise for you.”

“A surprise?” I jerked my eyes to hers.

“Yes,” Valentina looked to Don who gave a curt nod, “It should be here any moment, but before your brother awakens, we must discuss the remainder of your payment.”

Don stiffened, almost imperceptibly if you hadn’t spent your life looking for micromovements from others to save your life. It made me wonder if Valentina had left out the last bit.

Was that why she had spoken to me alone? I had thought I was just supposed to kiss her, but would she expect me to kiss Don too?

“Okay,” I hedged, “Would you like it now?”

“Oh, no,” she laughed, “That will come later.”

Don checked his phone, silently moving towards the door just as Jaymes popped his head out from the second story. He saw me and made his way down the stairs without so much as a ‘good morning to you too,’ not that I expected anything from him.

He stood next to me, but I shuffled to stand further between him and Valentina who was leaning against her desk.

“We can discuss the rest later since your brother has finally risen.” she smiled, nodding to Don.

He opened the door, stepping into the hallway. He only disappeared for a moment before he was waltzing back in, dragging a hunched form through the doorway. He kicked at the wood to close it back, the sound pinging through the room.

I stayed silent, gritting my teeth together to keep from gasping as he dragged in mysurprise.

Don threw the older man at my feet. It was all I could do not to back away as Collin’s body slumped down like he was about to crash into my legs. He looked a little past worse for wear. His salt and pepper hair was slick with sweat, and his face dripped with blood.

Swollen and puffy, the skin stretched over spots that looked particularly tight and painful. I watched as his light eyes rolled back in his head. From what? I was afraid to know. Jaymes shuffled in place behind me; I could feel it.

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