Page 33 of Tainted King

Blood dripped through the bandage and onto the white leather seat.Why did she leave without telling me?

The glass in my hand trembled from my barely restrained rage.How has she worked herself so far under my skin?

I clenched my bleeding hand, relishing the fresh wave of pain it brought.The thought of her anywhere but with me makes the pain in my hand seem like a scratch.

“Mr. Olysses,” the annoyingly perky voice of Melanie sounded next to my ear. “What happened? Are you okay?”

She dropped to her knees in front of me, cradling my injured fist in her hands. I barely registered her touch or the view of her generous cleavage. She removed my hastily wrapped bandage and gasped before rushing off, only to come back with enough supplies to clean ten wounds.

She washed off the blood with a wet cloth, then applied salve before bandaging it properly. Her chatter filled the air around me the whole time, but I didn’t pay any attention.

As soon as she was finished, I pulled my hand back, not wanting her to touch me any longer than necessary.

She leaned down, close enough for me to smell her floral perfume and for her breasts to brush my arm. “Do you want me to get you pain pills? Or another drink?”

“That will be all.”

She startled at the dismissive tone in my voice. Her replacement couldn’t arrive soon enough.

Once I was alone again, I pulled out my laptop. I’d been obsessively checking the cameras I had installed around her building, but there had been no movement. I also had a guy sitting in front of her apartment block, but he hadn’t set eyes on her yet either.

But unless I saw for myself that she was okay, I’d go crazy with playing worst case scenarios in my head. I stared at the screen for nearly twenty minutes before finally opening my emails. I had work to do if I wanted Quinn to agree to come back with me.

Because shewouldcome back with me. But I’d prefer her to do it because she wanted to, not because she was tied up and didn’t have a choice.

11

Quinn

The swish of clothes startled me awake. The chair in the corner creaked. I tensed, ready to jump out of bed and make a run for it. Had I been foolish to leave the safety of the Olysses mansion behind?

My phone was in the kitchen. Or maybe the bathroom. But since my apartment was small, my chances of making it outside were good. And Gunner had cameras out there. He’d send help. I just had to make it there.

Then the familiar scent of toasted almond and coffee surrounded me, and all my limbs relaxed.

Once I had control of my body back, I sat up. No more pretending I didn’t know he was there. These visits had to stop. And I had to talk to Gunner about his supposedly unbreachable security system. “What are you doing here?” My voice was scratchy, my patience nearly used up.

What the hell is he thinking showing up like this?

The dark figure sitting in the chair straightened. “You’re awake.”

I couldn’t figure out if he sounded pleased or surprised.

“You know, normal people would have knocked on my door.”

“I’m not normal.”

I snorted, praying for patience. “Why are you here?” Maybe if I rephrased my question he’d finally respond.

“You left without telling me.”

He always kept his emotions carefully hidden, but tonight his voice was tinged with anger.

“I didn’t realize you were my keeper.”

He leaned forward. “Now you know.” He tapped his leg, a nervous tic I’d never seen on him before. “Let’s go. Someone will pack your things for you.” His leg stilled, but I didn’t think that was a good sign. “Or you can purchase new things once we get back to Chicago. Your choice.”

I gaped at him, wondering if he’d smoked some of Jude’s weed. “No.” I was proud of myself for sounding assertive. “There’s no need to pack, since I’m staying here.”

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