Page 20 of Virtue & Vengeance

I shook my head, hating his cocky confidence. “You’re so full of yourself.”

His fingers moved down my arm before he released it and grabbed my waist. His fingers burned through my shirt.

Scoring me.

Branding me as his.

“You’re just jealous because you’re not full of me.”

I could hardly believe his nerve.

He had had me arrested and was basically holding me against my will, and yet, he had the balls to flirt with me continually.

“I hate you so much right now,” I spat.

“That’s fine by me. I like you angry.”

He turned me, pushing me into the brick wall beside us. He lined his body up with mine, pressing against my center and making my knees feel weak.

“Don’t think all you have to do is whisper sweet nothings into my ear and I’ll be putty in your hands. I don’t work that way.”

“So, what you’re saying is, I have to woo you before I can be inside you again?”

“I don’t see you as the wooing type.”

“You’re right; I’m not. But I don’t think that’s going to stop me from getting into your panties.”

“Nope, it’s not, but I will.”

He laughed, apparently thinking I was joking.

“Right. Sure you will. So my conditions,” he said, switching the subject so quickly it gave me whiplash.

I rolled my eyes. “What were they again?”

“You’re not leaving Vegas, and you’re staying at the Empire with me.”

He was enjoying the control he had over me, and I hated it, but I had to do what I had to do to get back on a level playing ground with Zander.

“Fine,” I snapped, my spine stiffening. “I won’t leave Vegas, but I’m staying at Kennedy’s.”

He lifted a brow like he was going to push for me to stay at Empire, but that wasn’t going to happen. Finally, he gave a little. “Fine. As long as you stay in Vegas.”

I nodded, pushing him away from me and crossing my arms over my chest. “Fine.”

“For someone so hell-bent on leaving before, you’re giving in easier than I thought you would.”

I gritted my teeth, my jaws so tight I was sure they would pop.

I didn’t want to be anywhere near Zander, and the thought of staying at Empire Sevens with him made my stomach feel heavy with anger and nerves, so that wasn’t going to happen, but he was right about one thing … staying at Aunt Kennedy’s wasn’t safe.

I would have to be on guard if I continued to stay there. So until I paid him back, made enough to get the Oldsmobile out of impound again, and saved a bit more for the road, I would stay in Vegas. Still, that didn’t mean I needed to be anywhere near him.

If I had to stay in Vegas then fine, but I wasn’t working for him anymore. I would find another job and make sure I stayed far away from Zander.

“Oh, and before you start thinking otherwise, you will continue to work for me.”

My mouth popped open at his words. It was like he was inside my head.

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