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“Ghost,” she whispered. “Why?”
I liked that name in her mouth.
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“No. I don’t know what could make anyone do something like this.”
“I did it for you. I’d do anything for you.”
“But why? What would make you do this to another human being?”
“Human?” I yanked the chain, and he collapsed onto his stomach with a cry. “You think this is human?”
“Gho—”
“After what he did to you?” I snarled.
She shook her head, and I took a step toward her before she could pretend none of it had happened. She was trembling. Fear? Because of me? She shouldn’t be afraid. I told her I’d never hurt her.
“Ru,” the piece of shit at my feet rasped. He lifted his head off the floor and his nostrils flared. His eyes went wide.
“Holy shit,” he croaked. “You’re in heat and you smell—”
The growl that tore out of me shook the screens. I put my boot on the back of his neck and pressed his face into the concrete until he squealed. “Don’t you fucking breathe her in.”
“Okay! Okay, I’m sorry.”
I didn’t ease off. He lay there panting, eyes darting between us. Then his face twisted, something sick and knowing creeping in under the fear. “You smell like him,” he wheezed at her. “You’re covered in him. You sicced your big bad Alpha on me?”
Ru went rigid. “He’s not my—”
She stopped.
I didn’t say a word. I let her denial sit in the room, and my Alpha preened.
“Rhett,” she said finally. He didn’t answer, so I jerked the chain until he looked at her.
“Mm?” he slurred.
“Are you okay?”
“Do I look okay?” he spat.
She flinched. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t,” I snarled. “Don’t you apologize to him.”
Rhett whimpered. I kicked him in the ribs, and he screamed.
“What are you going to do with him?” Ru asked.
“Please,” the bitch on the floor sobbed. “I apologized. Please let me go.”
“I don’t remember saying I’d let you go.” I tilted my head. “Your hands were a down payment.” I crouched beside him. “Your cock was interest.”
He sobbed harder. Liquid spread on the concrete beneath him.
Ru was frozen.
