Page 74 of Elicit (Decadence After Dark)

“How is she?” he asks about Ellie in all seriousness.

“The same. Think she’s finally ready to crack?”

“We’ll find out tonight when I visit her again.” He sighs.

“Are you going to be ready if she does?”

“I’ll have to be.” The leather creaks as he squeezes the edges of the chair.

“What are you going to call her?” I wonder aloud.

“Kitten, I think. She’s frisky.”

“Okay then.” I stand up. “Whenkittenis ready to come out and play, let me know. For now, I’m going to keep a close eye on Javier. He hasn’t mentioned anything about El Rey since he arrived, has he?”

“Nothing.” Kayne stands cross-armed like a Roman statue.

I raise an eyebrow. This guy had better not be taking us on a wild fucking goose chase.

“Hey.” Kayne grabs my arm as I pass by him. “You doing okay, after everything with Alistair?”

“I’m coming to terms. It feels like my own father betrayed me.” I grind my teeth. “I can’t dwell on it right now. I need to concentrate on London and everything else that’s going on.” I wave my hand dismissively.

“Do you want me to kill him?” Kayne asks. “I know you couldn’t do it, but I can.”

His sinister question actually makes me laugh, and it’s surprisingly cathartic. I know he’s as serious as cancer, but his blunt loyalty lifts my spirits.

“You think I’m being funny?” he asks affronted.

“No, I know you’re dead serious. It’s why I trust you with my life.”

“Then is that a yes?”

“It’s a thank you, but no. As much I want to kill the monster who tortured London, the man has many more layers . . . And people who love him . . . Like my mother . . . And Amber.” I exhale, mentally exhausted.

“And you,” Kayne tacks on.

I regard him regretfully. “And me.”

I find Javier helping himself to pancakes and bacon in the kitchen.

My skin crawls from just the simple fact he’s touching something London made.

“Good morning.” He hits me with a loathsome smile.

“Morning. How did you sleep?” I ask, feigning politeness.

“Wonderfully. You have a very inviting home.” Every polite word that leaves his lips oozes like slime.

“Thank you. We try.” I hide my disdain.

I want to ask him if he enjoyed abusing Jenna last night. If he liked hearing all the pained sounds from the torture he inflicted.

But I already know the answer.Yes.

“You look troubled my friend,” Javier comments intuitively.

“It’s just been a very long weekend.”

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