Page 15 of El Malo

I need to push him away and run.

His thumb finds my clit and he begins fingering me in a way that erases all my stress and worry. I’m with one of the biggest monsters the CIA is after and I’m willingly letting him bring me to orgasm.

“Tell me,” he orders, his husky voice nearly my undoing. When I don’t answer, he uses the knife to rid me of my top two buttons.

“I was looking for Araceli,” I admit in defeat. I close my eyes and wait for him to slit my throat.

His fingers keep playing me until stars glitter behind my lids. My knees buckle, but I don’t fall. A harsh, unexpected orgasm ripples through me, drawing out a loud moan from me. I ride the waves until I feel dizzy. I’m blacking out. Either from pleasure or fear. He slips his finger from inside of me and pulls me against him. I can feel every single hard muscle in his chest through his T-shirt. My own chest is bare, aside from my bra. A bad man shouldn’t feel this good. The tip of his blade scores the material along my spine. I bury my face against him in an effort to escape the knife.

“She is none of your concern,” he demands lowly. “Your concern is this house. That is your job. That is what I pay you to do. Are we clear?”

I nod, hot tears leaking from my eyes and soaking his shirt. His hand cradles the back of my head and for a moment I wonder if he’ll yank my head back and cut my throat. He doesn’t cut me, though. Simply runs his fingers through my hair. The small act of affection, from a monster no less, has me sagging against him.

“I’m sorry,” I breathe. “I was just worried about her.”

“I’ve killed men for lesser offenses,” he utters. “Don’t get yourself killed because you’re worried about a woman who is not even your blood.”

He tosses his knife on the desk with a clatter. Then, his palm slides to my ass and his other hand keeps stroking through my hair. He squeezes my bottom and inhales my hair.

“It’s your day off,” he rumbles before stepping away. His intense brown eyes rake over the naked parts of my body, hunger flickering in his gaze. “Take the day off and come back to work tomorrow focused. Where will you go?”

I swallow. “To see my father.”

“Good.”

I clutch my dress together to hide my nakedness. My eyes drop to the floor. I can’t look at him. His finger was inside of me. He just got me off. He is the enemy.

Fuck.

I push past him and all but run to the door. I’m just opening the door when his commanding voice stops me.

“Rosa, I will kill you if I have to.”

His threat is loud and clear, reminding me he is evil and a monster.

I’m vulnerable.

In desperate need for comfort.

Ready to maul Michael.

After the confusing, terrifying, and hot moment with Javier, I’ve been on edge ever since. I’d gone back to my room and spent a lot of time getting ready. I borrowed one of Yolanda’s yellow dresses and worked hard on my makeup. Winged eyeliner. Rosy cheeks. Dark, thick lashes. And blood red lips.

I barely recognized myself in the mirror.

Beautiful.

I knock on the door and Michael opens it. His gaze goes from bored to hungry in a matter of moments. I knew I could fix us. I’d grown too comfortable. Assumed he didn’t need me to dress up for him. But he’s a man, after all. He likes pretty things. And I’m a helluva lot prettier than that woman from last night, who I later learned was a prostitute.

Somehow knowing she was a whore and not someone who he actually had feelings for helped his betrayal against me.

“Rosa,” he murmurs.

I launch myself into his arms. Our lips meet and I kiss him hard. His palms find my hips but instead of pulling me closer, he pushes me away.

“Stokes is waiting on a report. You’re late,” he reminds me. My red lipstick is smeared on his face and it brings back memories from last night.

I drag myself away from him, ignoring the hurt throbbing through me. “Something happened,” I whisper. I’m playing a dangerous game, but my heart is calling the shots. I want him to feel the stab of hurt I felt. “This morning, Javier caught me.”

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