Tensing at the touch—which is more fromhertouch than pain—I force my gaze back to the road. “And I thinkyouneed rest,” I say. “How much did you make tonight, anyway?” My jaw flexes.
It couldn’t have been worth it—if the deep circles under her eyes are any indicator.
“Two-hundred,” she says too quickly, falling back in her seat and looking out the window, my wound all but forgotten, her defenses back up.
“Huh,” I grunt. “That’s not bad.”
If it were true.
“Nope,” she chirps, still not looking at me. “It was a good night. Well, until you showed up.”
“Yeah.” I nod as if in agreement, going along with her obvious charade. “It was a good night for me too, you know… until I got stabbed.”
“Grazed.”
“You said it needed stitches.”
“I lied. It barely needs a bandaid.” She folds her arms tightly over her chest, a small scowl on her lips as she keeps her gaze out the window.
I can’t stop the bark of laughter that escapes me, an actual tear springing to my eye. “Wow,” I sputter. “You are a terrible liar, all things considered.”
She sears me with an irritated look, but I press on.
“Oh, come on,” I try to stifle my laughter. “How much did you really make?”
She’s quiet for a moment but eventually sighs, her fingers toying with the bloody end of her sleeve. “Eighty-seven.”
Eighty-seven bucks. Four a.m. Walking home alone in the dark for eighty-seven goddamn dollars. My hands tighten on the wheel, fresh blood slicking between my fingers.
“That’s it?” My voice comes out even despite my agitation.
“Not all of us can kill for a living,” she says sharply.
I clench my jaw and exhale through my nose, loosening my grip before I rip the wheel off. She’s going to throw that in my face until the end of time. If she only knew that at least I’mmerciful, because everyone else in this business relishes the kill. Like Arnold. Every job is an opportunity for him to get his kicks in. With him, there’s no simple bullet to the chest, no sedated strangulation. He likes to break people, toy with them, and have his way—have them praying for death before he actually serves it. It’s sick. And it’s only a matter of time before Kira meets him. She really can’t be walking home alone anymore.
“Listen,” I say as I pull us in front of her place. “We have to talk.”
But her fingers are already coiled around the door handle, and I haven’t even cut the engine yet.
“I got the memo earlier,” she says and opens the door. “We don’t need to go over it again. I’m not going to pin anything on you.”
“This isn’t about that,” I growl and lean over her, pulling the door shut with a thud. “We have a different problem.”
She groans, falling back in her seat. “God, can’tweget a break?” She blows out a breath that warms my cheek. “I’m running on fumes.”
I pause in front of her, amused by her emphasis, and angle my face just slightly. “I’ll try to pencil one into our schedule.”
She stiffens, and my eyes fall on her lips. Jesus, she’s tempting. She licks them, just barely, but I catch it. It’s the kind of unconscious movement that tells me she’s thinking the same thing I am, even if she doesn’t want to. Even if she’s fighting it with everything she’s got.
“Um,” she murmurs, fingers tightening around the door handle again, but I don’t move back. I don’t give her space. I don’t want to. I want to know what she tastes like.
She sucks in a breath, her gaze flicking to my shoulder—where I can feel a fresh flood of blood from my movement. “You should really take care of that.” Her voice shakes.
She’s trying to divert my attention, but I could be choking on my last breath, and I still wouldn’t be able to look away. She has me hooked, lured in. She’s a rabbit, I’m a wolf, and I’mstarving.Kira Noland has me ready to pounce when I normally have more control. Maybe just a taste will satisfy me. I’m sure she’ll punch me for it, but it would be worth it if it can quell this insane need.
Slowly, ever so slowly, I brush my knuckles against her jaw, skimming away her hair before palming her cheek. She’s cold. Not enough blood flow. I will the warmth of my hand into her, sure that her lips will feel like ice too, and I don’t hesitate as I lean in, desperate to warm her.
“Just a taste…” I whisper.
