Page 5 of Rent a Hitman

Some of the concern on her brow smooths itself away, but she still looks unhappy. “Maybe this was a big mistake. I probably shouldn’t even go.”

“Hang on a second.” This is careening out of hand. The idea is to get close to Paul through her, and I can’t do that if she decides to stay home and play dress-up with her cat. “Why don’t we start again?”

Extending my hand, I offer a smile. “My name is Talon. I’m glad to meet you. And I think you look beautiful.”

She accepts the gesture, placing her hand in mine. Like the rest of her, it’s small and delicate. “You do?”

“I do. Like a princess ready to go to the ball.”

“Thank you.” Her teeth sink into her lip again. “Maybe you could say that when other people can hear you? Like, when we’re around my family?”

This poor thing. And now I hate these people for her. Sure, she’s a little strange, but they must make her life hell. “Absolutely. You’ll have to let me know in the car if there’s anything else you want me to say. But we’d better get going if we don’t want to be late for the ceremony.”

“You’re right.” Still, she hesitates, her eyes moving around the room like she’s looking for an excuse.

“What’s the worst that could happen?” I catch her gaze and grin. “You might even have a good time.”

“Somehow, I doubt it.”

“Let me guess. Your family gets on your case about not having a boyfriend, and it’s especially bad at times like this when somebody is getting married?”

“I’ve been dreading it ever since they announced their engagement.”

“Family can be a pain in the ass. But here’s the thing: if you were the only person who ever went through this, there wouldn’t be a reason for guys like me to do the work I do. Right? You’re not alone.”

When her eyes light up, I know I said the right thing. “That’s true. I didn’t think about it that way.” Yeah, I’m sure good old Klaus isn’t so hot on offering advice. He’s currently licking one hairless paw while staring out the window.

“We better get going,” I remind her. “My car is outside. Let’s go have a good time—and to hell with the rest of them.”

“You’re right.” She throws her shoulders back. “To hell with them.”

“Good girl.” I have no idea where that came from, but she doesn’t seem to mind. In fact, when a flush covers not only her face but her exposed chest and shoulders, I make a mental note to praise her again later. She needs somebody by her side who makes her feel good, strong, and worthy.

Just why I care is a mystery. She seems like a decent person, I guess. I’ve never much liked seeing bullies pick on those smaller and weaker than them.

“Let me get my purse.” When she turns away, I’m shocked into jumping in surprise at the sudden appearance of a turtle, which must’ve been hiding under her skirt.

She clicks her tongue at it, bending to scoop it up. “Now, Bob, what have I told you about breaking out of your enclosure?”

“Oh, you mean you weren’t planning on sneaking him into the wedding? Are you sure there aren’t any other animals hiding in there?”

After depositing the turtle in his fenced-off home, she gives her skirts a shake. “No. I think we’re good.”

“Because I doubt the bride would appreciate a random squirrel running around during the ceremony.”

Her eyes sparkle, and her lips twitch. “Careful. You’re making me wish I had a pet squirrel.”

She’s the one who’d better be careful because she’s starting to make me wish I was doing this strictly for pleasure rather than for business. It won’t be easy keeping my attention where it needs to be.

4

AINSLEY

My hands are shaking. I clasp them between my knees, but it’s no use. Now it’s my arms that are shaking. All because I’m in a car with a stranger who gave me the idea he wanted to kill me and wear my skin the first time we met. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve ever jumped to the wrong conclusion or jumped at my own shadow.

Okay, it’s more than that. I need to stop downplaying my feelings—a habit after everybody around me has done it for so long, I guess. You’d think I’d be nicer to myself.

If he was going to hurt you, he could’ve done it by now. At the apartment, while you were alone. Why would he wait until you were out in public, riding around in a ridiculously flashy sports car that’s bound to attract attention?

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