He twists my arm up behind my back. A burning sensation shoots along my upper arm and scapula. I cry out.
“Wow,” a woman’s voice says. “Is that the easy way? What would be the hard way? I might be able to learn a thing or two.”
Aaron and I freeze, his hand still holding my arm in a painful lock. He loosens it slightly, not letting go, but the pain eases, thank God. I glance sideway at the person who interrupted, not all that hopeful.
The door is somehow open, and a fortyish brunette in a fashionably tight blue dress is standing in the doorway. She doesn’t seem willing to help me. She actually seems to be entertained.
She leans closer. Her blue eyes glow with unholy interest, and the smile is a bit too wide. A dangerous vibe emanates from her.
Aaron doesn’t seem to share my evaluation. He shoves me aside andturns to her. “Lady, this is family business, nothing to do with you. Now get out of here before I fuck you up.”
She straightens and puts a fancily manicured hand over her chest. “Fuck me up?” She points at Aaron. “You?”
“Yeah, me.” His chest puffs out like he’s a rooster gearing up for a fight.
She snickers. Genuine amusement glitters in her eyes. Every hair on my body stands.
Suddenly she lashes out, a backhand that connects with Aaron’s face hard enough to make a cracking sound. His head snaps to the side and he bends slightly, covering his mouth with one hand. She steps closer and kicks his balls with a stiletto.
He screams and falls, curling onto one side.
“Say it again.” Her voice is calm, almost dulcet. “Say you’re going to fuck me up.” Another kick, this time to his stomach.
He groans, wrapping his arms around his belly.
“Come on. Say it and I’ll stop.” She smiles, not even breathing hard.
She’s lying. The steely glint in her ice-cold eyes says she won’t stop until she’s convinced Aaron’s learned his lesson.
Red spreads on his hands. I squint.What the…?I let out a gasp when it hits me—blood!Her shoes aren’t just any old footwear.
“Stop it!” I say. “You’re going to kill him!” Aaron’s a horrible human being, but he doesn’t deserve to die.
She frowns in confusion. “So?”
So?
“What’s wrong with that?”
My throat dries. “Because…” I cast about helplessly. “Murder is bad…?”
“Oh, sweetie.” She laughs. “Murder isn’t bad. Getting caught is.”
“You’llgetcaught! The body alone… There are security cameras inside the hotel—the cops are going to know!”
“Cameras, a body…” She shrugs, her palms turned upward. “Do you think he’d be the first body I’ve had to bury?”
My knees tremble.Oh my God.
“You look like you’re about to lose your room service, so I’ll let himlive. But you’ll need a stronger stomach if you want to bear a great-grandchild for my father.”
What?I just stare, unable to process.
She kicks Aaron one last time. He remains limp, doesn’t even moan anymore.
“How did you get in?” I ask shakily.
“The door was open. You should keep it closed for security.”
