Page 61 of Secrets of the Six

But for now, my focus is on Ines and what she's up to.

I berate myself for acting like some lovesick teenager, realizing she is most likely in search of the bathroom and if she catches me snooping, she will be enraged. The image of her scrunching the right side of her nose upward in disgust has me willing to risk her ire.

My steps increase in speed, hoping I can at the very least catch a glimpse of her before she returns to Rogelio. What I don't expect to find when I saunter around the curvature of the hallway is her standing outside Señor Montenegro's box with tension in her shoulders as if she's positioning herself to strike.

A tip of a knife pokes from the bottom of her sleeve and recollection floods me. Señor Montenegro is the reason Ines was in prison in the first place and her need for retribution will undoubtedly be fueling her next move. A stupid move, but an understandable one.

I rush to her, light on my feet, and smack my hand over her lips before dragging her into a narrow closet across the hallway. Despite her squirming, I pin her to the wall, rip the curtain closed and growl, "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Once her eyes adjust to the dark space, the only source of light streaming in through the curtains from the corridor, she frowns and shoves my hand from her person. "Nothing," she hisses, guilt written across her angry features.

"Don't lie to me." I furrow my brow and point an accusatory finger in her face. "I know you have unfinished business with Montenegro, but do you really think you can get away with murdering him in such a public place?"

"I was searching for the bathroom." She narrows her eyes, doubling down on her falsehood.

"I know you have a knife up your sleeve, Vibora."

Her face remains neutral, even though I know I've caught her red-handed. "I don't – "

I grab both of her wrists and press them above her head, wrapping one of my hands around them as I retrieve the dagger hidden up her right sleeve. "No dagger, huh?"

Ines wiggles beneath me but my hold on her is tight and unyielding. "Release me," she demands.

I shake my head. "No."

"If you care for your balls, I suggest you let me go."

I know all too well she does not make idle threats, so to ensure the safety of my manhood, I thrust my hips against hers. My mouth hovers above her lips as I say lowly, "Now what, Ines? I have you pinned, I have your weapon, and there's no room between us for you to cause me true harm."

"Then perhaps think of our mission," she taunts. "Ever the gentleman, Rogelio will be looking for me soon enough thinking I'm a damsel in need of saving. And your lady friend will certainly grow bored in your absence."

"My lady friend?" I smirk, my heart racing at the envy lacing each word. "You sound jealous, Vibora."

She scoffs, once again attempting to free her wrists to no avail. "Oh, I'm the jealous one when you haven't been able to keep your eyes off me all night?" she spits.

Satisfaction spears through my body. Knowing she's experiencing the same negative emotions as me from across the theatre makes my cock twitch.

"You think she hasn't noticed when she giggles and flirts, your attention hasn't been on her for one second?"

"Maybe I've kept a close eye on you because I was asked to."

"Then release me so we can go back to doing our jobs." Knowing I can't keep her here all night, I allow her to lower her arms but keep her pinned in place. Before I can say anything, she slams her hand against my chest and hisses, "And be ready for a fucking show, Remus."

My nostrils flare and my eyes narrow. "What's that supposed to mean?" I tilt my head to the side, anticipating the next words she's going to spew.

"You know exactly what it means." She seems all too pleased with herself, as if she understands the power she wields against me. "If you think Rogelio is falling for me now, wait until I lower my inhibitions and encourage physical touch. Are you ready to see his hands roaming my body? Are you prepared to watch his lips press against mine and listen to the blissful sounds I moan when he has his way with me –"

"Stop talking," I command but she scoffs.

"Am I making you uncomfortable?" She rolls her head and teases, pressing her chest against mine, "Or does the thought of the pleasure he could elicit – "

I jab my hand to grab her neck and squeeze gently, silencing her. "He will not touch you," I grind my back teeth.

She laughs and it challenges my resolve to keep from whipping her around, lifting her skirts, and having my way with her. "I'm afraid that's not up to you. Now go back to your lady friend, Remus, and leave me to do my job."

Dismissing me so easily won't fly. "You are dangerously close to crossing the line, Vibora."

"What line is that? Your patience?" She slides her fingers up my chest and neck until she reaches my lips and sweeps her thumb across my mouth. "We both know we're far beyond that now."