Page 96 of PortCity Killers

??T H I R T Y T H R E E ??

“They’re like vultures with carrion those two, aren’t they?” Aedyn muttered, pulling me out of the den and through a short hall.

I shrugged, a small giggle escaping, “I don’t mind.”

“Of course, you wouldn’t.”

I wasn’t offended at his words so much as I was at the derisive tone he chose to take, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He stopped, making me run into his back. I bounced off to have him grab my arms, righting me in my very unnecessary heels, “A pretty thing like you? Not being showered with attention daily? I imagine it would be a good change of pace for you is all. I can’t imagine it’s not something you’re used to.”

“I’ve never received any attention that didn’t lead to bruises,” I bit. “So yeah, sue me if I’m glomming onto every little bit I can now it’s been doled out to me.”

I ripped myself away from him, using the wall as a guide now that I didn’t have Valentina or Don to lean on and debated the merits of going barefoot to this shindig. My skirts were long enough; I could make it work.

“I’m sorry,” Aedyn said, coming up behind me, “I assumed.”

“Assuming makes an ass-”

“Out of you and me, I know. I should have known better.”

I shot him a look, but there was no sign of smugness or swarthy bullshit, so I took him at his word with a nod. “Thank you.”

He bent the upper half of his body in a small bow and with an uncharacteristically shy smile he held out an elbow. He looked more like a boy than a mafioso. Since I really did need the help, I linked my arm with his as he walked us down to what I could only assume was the library.

He stayed away from any and all topics pertaining to the twins, instead opting for questions about how Bryce and I had met. He shocked me with the knowledge that he knew exactly what Bryce’s former occupation was; something I had skirted around even thinking about while in his presence lest he found a way to see it cross my face.

“I was shoplifting.” I groaned, “Bryce was just a beat cop at the time, and he caught me red handed.”

He looked confused, “Bryce made it seem a little more lascivious than all that. What were you lifting?”

The full body blush that assaulted my body couldn’t be contained. Aedyn laughed, full bellied and wild, “Now you have to tell me.”

“It was less what I was helping myself to and more how I had convinced him to let me go by the time we got to the station.”

“Oh?” he looked intrigued, his eyes scanning me up and down, “How’s that?”

I smiled despite the blush, equally mortified and arrogant, “It was the first time I called him daddy, I’m sure your mind can put together the rest.”

“You are a minx.” He smirked, holding open a dark wood door with a sweeping gesture.

I entered the cozy space with a wink.

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