Throwing his head back, the man howls with pain, sending a flock of crows screeching into the sky. Their sleek black bodies disappear into the darkness, the familiar ruffle of their wings putting a smile on my face.
“Oh, dear. That looks like it hurts.” Ripping the blade from his flesh, I bring my knee straight into his groin, “I’ll make sure to aim lower next time.”
A gurgled groan escapes the man collapsing on the ground. I snicker, watching the blood ooze from his shoulder while his hands cradle the sensitive flesh below.
The tall one makes a lunge for me, his arms wrapping around my throat and pulling me back against his chest. I purr against the chokehold, feeling his thick muscles bulge against my skin.
“Have you been keeping yourself fit for me? I do love a man who can throw me around.”
“Shut up.” His grip tightens, cutting off my air supply, “Nobody likes a bitch who talks too much.”
Now, that was the wrong thing to say.
Flipping my knife around, I jam it deep into his thigh. His scream pierces through the darkness, sharp and loud but not strong enough to escape the wilderness.
The trees soak in the sound of his agony, swaying softly to the uneasy rhythm of his breathing. Blood gushes from his leg ontothe forest floor, the strokes of my knife painting the foliage the way she likes it best.
Harsh and unforgiving.
“You think I’m a bitch?” My teasing tone sharpens with each twist of my blade, “Oh, baby, I’m going to make youmybitch. You’re going to scream nice and loud until your vocal cords are as shredded as your leg. And then I’m going to remove your tongue for the disrespect.”
Breathing in the sweat running down his neck, I lick the salt right off his skin, “You brought those girls here so nobody would hear them. But now nobody is going to hearyou.”
“Who the fuck are you?”
The question comes from the guy sitting on the ground, the one still holding his balls. The old man is nowhere to be seen, but I’m not too worried.
These kind of men don’t stay in the shadows for long.
“Calista Drache, at your service.” Throwing a wink over my shoulder, I turn my attention back to the man writhing against me, “I’ll carve it into your chest so you don’t forget. Are you ready to be a good boy for me?”
A whimper fills the air as the preppy one staggers to his feet and starts to limp away. I give him a head start because there is nowhere for him to go.
And I really do love the chase.
Chapter 3
CHRISTOPHER
“Do you have to leave?”
Wet kisses pepper the column of my neck. Dark hair is sprawled along my chest, the lithe and supple body belonging to…
Emily? Emilia?
“Sorry, darling, I’ve got to run.” Gently pushing the beautiful woman aside, I snag my rumpled jeans from the floor, “I’ll call you the next time I’m passing through, yeah?”
“You better.”
She grins, rolling over and offering me a spectacular view of her tits. I take a moment to admire them – one last squeeze for the road – before pulling my shirt over my head and grabbing my wallet from her nightstand.
The crew went a little too hard on the celebrations last night. What started out as a toast to newly acquired diamonds quicklybecame a drinking spree at the closest pub. A few beers later and Ella – Eva? – showed me just how talented she was with her tongue.
So I returned the favour.
“How did you get so flexible?” Her fingernail brushes the bumpy ridge along my back, causing tension to ripple through my body.
“Trade secret.” Quickly grabbing her hands, I reposition myself so she can’t touch it again, “I could tell you but then I’d have to kill you.”
