Page 198 of Vicious Temptation

“Papi.” I do my best to control my breathing and keep from sounding like I just ran a marathon or like I cracked a man’s head open with a crowbar.

“What’s wrong?” he asks immediately, as if he can hear the panic I’m trying to hide.

I should tell him. I know I should. There could be more of them.

My gaze returns to the unconscious man on the floor, and rage churns in my blood.

“Nothing,” I lie. “I just wanted to thank you for stopping by. I needed that.”

He doesn’t answer right away. “Of course, baby. But are you sure you’re all right?”

As I pace, I glance at the security monitors. “Yeah. It’s just this rotary. It’s a bitch, and I broke a nail.”

That gets him laughing, and finally hearing it convinces me he’s safe.

We say our goodbyes, and I slip my phone into my pocket before securing the garage door and turning back to the intruder.

Memories of another garage from four years ago surface, bringing me back to the man I killed in front of Val and to the tattoo on his arm. My stomach sinks at the possibility that this could somehow be connected. It’s been years since I last saw that tattoo and read those words, but I’ll never forget either.

Sub umbra venimos.

I kneel beside him and shove up his jacket sleeve, exposing his forearm. There’s nothing but a collection of seemingly meaningless ink. When I check the other arm, I find more of the same. Relief comes with my next breath, but it doesn’t answer the more immediate question of who the fuck this guy is.

“You’re going to tell me who you are and what you’re doing here, the hard way or the harder way.”

Fifteen minutes later, he’s in his birthday suit, bound at the wrists and ankles and secured to the RX-7’s front grille. I glance down at his limp dick and roll my eyes at the Jacob’s ladder.

Of course.

I slap a loaded magazine against his face, wait a second, then do it again. By the third hit, he groans and rolls his head to the side as he regains consciousness.

“Welcome back,” I say as his eyes finally open. “It was touch and go for a while, but I think you’re going to make it. For now.”

“Fuuuck.” He spits out the blood pooling in his mouth, and it dribbles down his chin.

“Gross.” I wrinkle my nose. “So, what brings you around here?”

The man glares up at me and spits again. “Untie me, bitch. Then we can talk.”

I stare at him for a moment. “Your balls are currently resting on my floor, and you still have the audacity to call me out of my name. Bold.”

His eyes widen as if he’s only now realizing he’s naked, and he frantically looks himself over.

“Must be a little chilly in here, huh?” I ask with a smirk, letting my gaze drift to his crotch.

“I should’ve blown your fucking head off when I had the chance. Untie me!”

Pushing myself to my feet, I pace in front of him. “Should have. Would have. Could have.” I stop, then turn to face him. “But you didn’t.”

I crouch in front of him again, tapping the magazine against the top of his head.

“It’s a tough lesson to learn, Jacob’s Ladder, but you should never hesitate. That’s one of the most important rules for surviving this cruel world.” I smile at him. “Luckily for you, you won’t have to worry about making that mistake again.”

He grinds his teeth and thrashes against his restraints. “Let me go.”

“Not until you tell me what I need to know.”

He growls as more bloodstained spit spills from the corners of his mouth.