Page 72 of Slay Me

“That he’ll go full psycho and try to beat you with a bat?”

I know she’s not trying to be crass, but the words are spoken far too soon. I wince. “Something like that.”

Fiona sighs and stands, only to move in behind me so I can see her reflection. “I’m just sorry the Ringmaster got to her first. I would have loved to rip her fucking head from her shoulders and play soccer with it.” Her eyes flash blue, visible evidence of the berserker lurking within her.

“As much as I appreciate that visual, I’m glad it was him and not you. Had you killed her, there’s no telling how much trouble you would have been in.”

“True. But it would have been worth it.”

I stand and cross my apartment toward the door, Fiona on my heels. Killian falls into step behind us as the three of us make our way to the stairs. As we walk, my mind drifts, lingering on the one man I hope to see tonight.

A man I spent all day thinking of.

And a man I cannot wait to see tonight.

Chapter23

Dante

My dragon slithers beneath my skin the moment I sense her presence. Liv enters the common area with Fiona, Killian lurking just behind her. I’m sure she didn’t care much to have security on her, but after what happened with Jenny and Thomas, combined with Valentina’s attack, I’m taking no chances.

Not with my fury.

Never with my mate.

Her gaze finds mine as she slides onto one of the benches.

My heart hammers like a pathetic fucking adolescent who just fucked for the first time, but I shove it down—for now. Though, try as I might, I cannot fight back the mental images of all the ways I cannot wait to take her.

Over my desk.

Kneeling on the floor.

Against a wall.

I clear my throat. “Tonight needs to be flawless,” I tell them. “After shutting down for a few days, we need to return with one hell of a performance.”

Murmurs rise but nothing substantial. Liv’s gaze never leaves my face even as I force mine away from her and do my best to maintain my composure. I can taste her on my tongue, my fingers flexing at my sides all while the beast inside of me rattles against my control.

He wants her beside him at all times, which is impossible. Especially since I omitted the fact that she’s my mate. But telling her that she literally owns me is not power I plan on handing over on a silver fucking platter.

I’m already pathetic enough.

“Any questions?”

Kleo raises her hand.

“Yes.”

“Where’s Valentina? We’ve heard rumors but—”

“Valentina is dead,” I snap. “I ripped her fucking head off because I caught her trying to kill Liv.”

Kleo’s eyes widen as she looks to her fae partner, Brad. He shrugs, clearly not surprised.

“Let that be a lesson to everyone here. Fuck with what belongs to me and you’ll be dead before you can deal the final blow.”

“Does that just apply to Liv, or is it for all of us?” Apollo demands.

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