Page 50 of Deranged (American Street Kings 3)

My heart jackhammered against my ribs, palms sweaty and my head spinning in a thousand directions at once. I had never been afraid of him, right up until I walked into this room right now.

He stepped back, smiling. “Find out anything I should know?”

There was a lot he probably needed to know, but it felt wrong sharing what I knew with him, like I was betraying Onyx—which was insane because my loyalty wasn’t with Onyx. It was with the man standing in front of me now. My loyalty had always been with him—after all, he earned it after what he did for me. He was my brother.

Then why did it feel so fucking wrong all of a sudden?

He pulled his lips in a thin line, lifting a brow as he scowled at me. “Dahlia?”

I had no choice. I had to tell him what I knew. I owed him that. This was why I made contact with the American Street Kings in the first place, why I pursued Onyx. He was the easy target because he had the biggest heart. He proved it with the deceased anorexic girl, as well as the kidnapped ballerina—the girl warming his brother’s bed. The girl who offered to make me goddamn pancakes.

I licked my lips, my mouth stone dry. “Nothing. Not yet.”

God, it felt like I was slowly being infected, something eating away at my flesh, my soul…my heart. What was happening to me? This wasn’t supposed to be this hard.

Get in, get some info, and get out. Then live your life like you always have. No complications.

I shifted from one foot to the other. I wanted him to leave before he had a chance to see right through me. See the turmoil I was in by doing my fucking job.

“Okay, well, keep your ear to the ground. I don’t want any fucking surprises.”

I swallowed on the lie, praying he wouldn’t see my deception.

“Now, I have a few things I need to do before our meeting tonight.” He looked me up and down. “Make sure you look your best.”

My heart sank to my feet. “Glenn, please don’t make me do this. I can’t—”

He rushed forward, grabbing my cheek, fingers digging into my skin. Wild eyes penetrated mine, his expression hard and merciless—as it always was. I couldn’t remember when I last saw kindness in his eyes. It had been too long, and I was starting to fear the darkness had already consumed him.

His gaze fell to my shoulder. “What the fuck is that?”

Air rushed past my lips.

“Is that a bite mark?” He looked back up at me, eyes blazing with anger. “Is that a motherfucking hickey?”

Jesus. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t move. All I felt was the pain as he dug his fingers deeper into my cheeks, and the fear that settled in my gut like concrete. “Glenn—”

“Did you let him fuck you?” He pulled me closer, his body flush against mine. “We talked about this, Dahlia. Remember?” Fury rolled off him, slamming against my chest with intimidating surges. “Jerk him off, suck his dick, but do not fuck him. Now tell me you didn’t break the motherfucking rules.”

“No,” I replied with a panicked breath. “I didn’t. I didn’t break the rules.”

He tightened his grip for another second, his jaw ticking and nostrils flaring as he studied me.

“Good. Because no King is worthy of my little sister. And those pretty legs of yours only spread for the ones I choose.” He licked his lips, darkness oozing out of him like an open sore. “Like the man you’ll be making yourself pretty for tonight.”

“Please don’t—”

“You will do this, little sister.” He jerked my face hard, my cheeks aching. “You owe me that much. Need I remind you why?”

My stomach turned at the subtle reminder of why I owed him everything—including my life. It was a debt I’d never be able to repay, no matter how many jobs—or men—I did for my brother. I was fucking breathing today because of him.

“No,” I muttered. “No need to remind me…brother.”

“Good.” He let go of my face. “Be ready. And wear something…red. Apparently, the fucker has a thing for whores in red.”

He straightened his cut, boots stomping on the wooden floors as he walked to the door. “Oh, I know old habits die hard.” He glanced over his shoulder at me. “But don’t use my real name in the future. I hate that fucking name.”

I touched my cheek where it still burned from his touch while watching his split tongue dance across his lips as he stared at me.

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