We circle each other only for a moment longer before the palpable tension in the room snaps, and Tyson jumps first.
Men like this, though lethal, are wild animals and easy to put down. He stabs at my stomach, and I dodge, slicing elegantly across his hand.
His blade drops from his hand, and he elbows me in the face. Pain explodes, and my nose fills with blood. I laugh as I take two steps back, only to be greeted by Sky kicking me in the stomach, shoving me back.
Here’s the thing… Ilikepain.
With lightning speed, I throw a scalpel into Sky’s shoulder, then lunge for him as he blocks with one hand and grabs for the gun holstered at his hip with the other. But I’m faster than him, grabbing it before he can, as I simultaneously throw the second scalpel at Tyson's leg, forcing him to drop to one knee. Then I point the gun at Kage, who’s only an arm’s length away from me with his own gun pointed at my face.
I crack a smile, adrenaline coursing through me. My heart is pounding, and I feel alive, electrified. I could kill the red hound. I could go for the shot.
I waggle my brows at him. “Shall we see who's a quicker shot?”
Kage stares at me blankly, his finger still on the trigger. I know Kage is the bloodthirsty one, but with whatever chain Luca’s barely been able to restrain him with, he doesn’t pull the trigger.
“Motherfucker,” Sky curses as he yanks the scalpel out of his shoulder.
“You should be thanking me,” I say with blood pouring down my face. “I could’ve easily gone for your arteries and let you both bleed out on the floor.”
I shoot a pointed look at Tyson as he yanks the surgical blade out of his leg, the weapon clattering to the ground as he curses.
I let Kage step into my space, the cold touch of the barrel to my head as I aim the tip of Sky’s gun to point under his chin.
I could blow his brains out right now.
He could do the same to me.
It’s thrilling.
His eyes scan mine as he says, “You should fear death.”
“Is that advice coming from a soulless demon such as yourself? Hard pass.”
I contemplated for years whether I might be a psychopath myself. I might have similar tendencies, but I don’t pass the test, because I have at least a minimal, selective conscience. This man has none whatsoever.
“You’ve made your point.” Tony's voice booms through the room.
“I thought we were just getting started,” I quip as I lick my lips, enjoying the taste of my own blood.
“I agree with Tony,” Izak says over his laptop. “Luca will be pissed if we put ourselves out of commission because we were comparing dick size. He can clearly fight and hold his own.”
“Not bad for a doc,” Sky says as he rolls his shoulder. “I was curious what Lorenzo’s little brother might be capable of. He and I are close, after all.”
I snort because I know my brother is not close with anyone.
“I still don’t like it,” Tyson growls as he stands with a slight limp and a murderous glint in his eyes.
“Just remember, I could’ve gone for your throat, instead,” I say as Kage and I slowly lower our guns.
“You’d better be good at what you do. If not, we’ll kill you ourselves.” Kage goes to walk away, but pauses. “Oh, and another thing. The only orders you send me out on are bloody ones. Anything else, you can go fuck yourself over.”
I think I’m going to like it here a lot.
“This is going to be a lot of fun," I say cheerfully. "Now, if you’re willing to beg, I can stitch you boys up.”
When I arrive homeat three in the morning, I’m surprised to see Romi awake in the living room, holding a pack of frozen peas to her face. She has her legs, which are clad in sexy, knee-high boots, propped up on the coffee table, and she shoots me an unimpressed look when she notices me.
Borris lies beside her, his head and ears perking up as I walk in, my motorcycle helmet under one arm.
