Page 140 of The Secrets That Kill

Over the course of a few weeks, she makes me burn hot when I’m known to be artic.

Shit. It’s more than liking her. I don’t want revenge anymore.

Not that it’s not a revelation. The knowledge has been sitting inside of me, quietly, waiting for me to notice.

But it doesn’t matter. Nothing can come of these bullshit feelings. I’m not good for her. We both know it.

“I’ll keep you safe, Ivy.”

She looks up at me, her hands twisting in my hair before she wraps her arms around my neck. “I know you will. I—” She takes a breath. “I think I just got thrown a loop when I saw the news that Mr. Trenton died.”

I shut down all other thoughts, letting her words flow over me. “You okay?”

“Relieved.” She rubs her cheek against my chest. “I know you don’t want to punish me anymore. And that you’ll protect me. For my brother. And Elise.”

I want to say because ofher, but I don’t say a word, just like I don’t waste a single thought on fucking Trenton.

Sonofabitch.

It’s been a couple of hours and Henderson still hasn’t shown up. I’m not the only one who’s noticed, either. There’s a ripple of a whisper through the crowd about why he’s not here. People want to see him. After all, he threw this party, and all the people who know he’s got stuff on them are probably angling for proof that he’s alive.

Maybe they want him dead, too.

Men ask Ivy to dance, but I just give them a cold stone-eyed stare and they slink off with their dicks in their hands.

If Henderson doesn’t show up soon, I need to investigate the place myself. Maybe take Ivy, like we’re looking for a private room. I’ve already narrowed it down to two places. There is one set of stairs at the far side of the room, and a door at the end of a hallway leading in here.

Nobody has taken the stairs, and nobody has opened the door.

One of those will lead to Henderson’s office.

“Mercer.”

Startled from my thoughts, I turn my head to see Jeremy Gallagher, one of the more shadowy Knights. He’s the guy who handpicks the people to be part of our organization, and he invests plenty in our cause for that honor.

But what the hell is he doing here? Of all nights? And how did he get invited to the ball?

Hairs on the back of my neck prickle like they know something my brain hasn’t caught up to yet.

“Jeremy.”

Jeremy’s balding and looks like a middle management accountant. He eyes Ivy with a little more lust than I’d like.

Zero. That’s what I’d like.

“I see why Henderson extended the invite to you.”

I just smile and slide Ivy closer.

“Hear you’re looking for an audience with him.”

It’s a weird thing for him to say. The assignment to take out Henderson came down through Smith, but then again, it doesn’t mean Jeremy didn’t pick me as a contender for the job because of my ability to move in close and get things done others can’t. Maybe he’s just here to test the waters, to subtly let me know he’s aware of my plans. But like everything in my life, I play my cards close.

Can’t trust anyone too much.

“I wouldn’t mind a chance to say thank you for the all-access membership, but I’m really here to show off my toy.” My stomach wrenches. Fuck, I’m really going to have to do it. “Pollyanna? Turn and show the nice man our work.”

She does, and I ease one side of the dress down to expose the handprint in full and the mess of bruises and welts on that ass cheek.

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