Primal Pursuit

“I know.” I go really silent. I’m not sure what it means, the whole me killing outside my rules. Kills are either absolutely necessary or they’re hits, paid for. Mixing it in for pleasure or vengeance or personal shit is dangerous.

I did it for Rabbit.

Because he hurt her.

Because he touched what’s mine.

What he said to me there after I beat the shit out of him didn’t matter. It didn’t change the fact that once I stepped foot in his house he was as good as dead. Stepping foot in there like that, him seeing my face? His death warrant.

What he said about her was icing.

“Davian,” Tobias starts. “This girl…she’s pretty, and?—”

“Careful now, priest.”

“She’s vindictive. She’s also confused how she should feel, and she’s into you and your games. That’s some powerful shit. Dangerous shit.”

“I can handle her.” I drink more whiskey.

Tobias doesn’t speak for a moment.

“Call the cleaning crew,” he finally says. “Call Alexius.”

He hangs up.

And I know, as I do that, shit’s about to hit all the fucking walls.

Chapter

Twenty-Four

POPPY

I wake with a start,heart pounding, knowing I’m not alone.

It takes a moment for me to focus.

Davian’s on a chair he dragged into my bedroom, legs crossed, wearing black pants and a sweater. It’s not the same clothes he wore last night.

He’s got his phone in one hand and a coffee mug in the other. I can smell the dark aroma of the roasted beans. It’s definitely not instant coffee.

There’s something else I smell, too.

I sniff the air, push my hair out of my face, and glare. Buttery pastry. Chocolate. And the bitter fact that the last thing I remember is me getting dressed, ready to go with him to confront Giovanni.

“You. Mother. Fucker.” I crawl to the bottom of the bed with a pillow and hurl it at him.

He calmly lifts the cup out of the way. “You know, Rabbit, I don’t think you’re a morning person.”

“I’m not ayouperson.”

“You are, Rabbit, like it or not.” Davian stands. “And be nice. I got you a selection of pastries, pain au chocolat and croissants. Plus some of the best damn coffee in town.” He starts walking out. “You slept through the delivery.”

“Because you drugged me, you asshole.” I get up and follow him. “What kind of psychopath are you?”

He turns, and I almost knock into him, shooting me a cocky grin. “Your favorite kind.”

“I really want to punch you in the face right now.” I really do.