Too many names. Too many games. And somehow,everythread leads back to Julian Cross.
I hand the pliers off to Luca again. “Stitch him up. Keep him alive.”
“For how long?” Luca asks.
“Until I decide whether I want to feed him to the dogs or string him up on the pier.”
I don’t wait for a response. I’m already walking up the stairs.
I need answers.
And I’mdoneasking nicely.
CHAPTER 12 – THE GIFT
JULIAN
Inearly jump out of my skin when I hear footsteps coming from down the hall, growing louder by the second.
And something in my gut tells me it’s him.
And he’spissed.
I blink my eyes closed, feigning sleep as he swings open the door.
“Get up,” he says, all the warmth in his voice gone.
Well, that didn’t last long.Looks like he’s already back to being to his usual, shitty self.
I blink my eyes open. That crazy fucker’s covered in blood. But that’s normal for him.
I groan, dragging the blanket tighter over my chest. “Jesus, you again? In case you forgot, I wasshotyesterday.”
He smiles. But it’s the kind of smile that precedes a body drop.
“I know,” he says, leaning a hand against the bed frame.“You poor thing.”
I scowl. “Shut the fuck up. You’re the one who made a big deal about it.”
That earns a low, hollow chuckle.
“You really think I’mstupid,don’t you?” he mutters.
I tense. “What are you talking about?”
He doesn’t answer, just nods toward the door. “Come on. I’ve got something to show you.”
My gut twists. “That’s not ominous at all.”
“You’ll love it. I promise.”
I sit up slowly, wincing as the wound pulls. “You’re being weird.”
He smirks. “Sure.I’mthe weird one,stalker.”
My jaw locks. He’s picking a fight.
“Whatever this is, it better be good.”
