Page 69 of Made in Malice

“Are you delusional?” she asks with complete sincerity. “Isn’t me leaving exactly what you want? Wouldn’t that solve all your problems?”

“No. What’s wrong with your arm?” I ask to change the subject.

“I hurt my wrist in a fall when some jerk shoved me.” There’s clear irritation in her tone, which is a hell of a lot better than the defeat from just a few moments ago, but it doesn’t make me feel any better. I’ve never been one to be careless with my toys, but I have been with her.

I look down and notice the slight swelling of her wrist. When I reach for her, she damn near jumps back. “May I see it?” I ask, barely unclenching my teeth.

“For what? To make sure it’s broken this time?”

“Lamb.” My voice is soft, but it’s a warning, and she must hear it, because she slowly extends her arm while looking up at me as if she thinks I really will snap it. I cradle the back of her hand in my palm and see some bruising on her inner wrist. “Did you get this X-rayed?” I lift my eyes to hers.

“No.”

“Why the hell not?”

“Because X-rays cost money, and I’m fine.” She pulls away from me, and I let her because I don’t want to grip her hand and risk hurting her more.

“Get in the car.”

“What?” she splutters.

“We’re going to get this looked at. Get in the car.”

“No, I’m going home,” she argues while tipping her head back to look up at me as I get closer to her. I bet she’s not even aware of what she’s doing. Most people wouldn’t hold their ground against me, but she does, even after I was careless with her.

I ball up my hands at my sides so I don’t give into the urge to pick her up, throw her over my shoulder, and put her ass in the passenger seat. “Give me what I want, and I’ll give you something you want in return,” I offer.

“You don’t have…” She reins in her initial biting response, then poses a question laced with curiosity. “Anything?”

“Within reason.”

“Examples.” She barters better than most of the other founding families, and they have years of experience.

“It needs to be reciprocal, even.” I reach up and tug on a lock of hair dangerously close to her tit. Her eyes drop to my fingers, but she doesn’t pull away.

“I want information,” she announces.

“Information is expensive, lamb. What else do I get?”

She steps back abruptly, forcing me to release her hair or risk pulling it. I immediately hate the distance between us. “Nothing. It would seem we’re at an impasse, pretty boy.”

“What information do you want?” I’m going to regret giving in so easily later, but when I step forward and she doesn’t retreat, I know it’s worth the sacrifice.

“I want to know what you know about my parents and the Umbras.”

“Okay,” I agree rather easily because I don’t know much about her parents, but I’m not going to admit that to her now.

“I want to know more about the founders’ rules or the creed, whatever it’s called.”

“Why not ask the Umbras?” I challenge, then give her a few seconds to mull over my question before adding, “Don’t trust them?”

“I don’t trust you either.”

“Yet here you are, lamb, asking me.” I almost whisper the last part in her ear, and I don’t miss the shiver she tries to hide.

I encourage her to head toward my car. “Come on, we have an appointment.”

“No, we don’t,” she argues pointlessly. “There’s no appointment.”

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