Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 66480 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66480 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
I stepped forward, stopping when she flinched back against the counter. "It started that way," I admitted, running a hand through my hair. "But it became something else real fuckin’ fast. And I never intended to sleep with you. Not as a means to an end."
A bitter laugh escaped her lips. "Do I even know your name? Is it Rocky?"
"Silvester Russo. People’ve always called me Rocky. That part happened to be true."
"And the Copperhead patch? The phone calls about trafficking girls? What the fuck, Rocky?" The way she spat my name felt like a slap.
I moved to the couch, needing to sit before my legs gave out. I’d seen first hand what condition those women would be in when they got to the club. I’d done my best to help that first group and I’d do my best by this group, too. But the memory of it…
The cushion sagged beneath my weight, springs creaking in protest. "I infiltrated the Copperheads eight months ago on Vittorio's orders. The trafficking operation exists. Everything I told you about that, about the shipment coming in—all true."
"So you approached me, fucked me, all for what? Information?" Her voice rose, hands clenching into fists at her sides. "A convenient way into Bound in Blood? How does one fit with the other?"
"No!" I stood again to pace. “I never had any intention of learning about Bound in Blood. Dario and Jack have a loose alliance. Dario’s got all the information he needs. Vittorio suggested I make friends with you as an emergency exit strategy if things went south with the Copperheads. Nothing more. It was never even discussed for me to do anything more than befriend you—"
"So you needed a way out," she finished, eyes flashing. “Same difference. Either way I’m just another tool in your undercover toolkit."
"That ain't what happened and you know it," I growled, moving toward her. "The first time I saw you at that Valentine's Ball, it had nothing to do with anything other than me wanting you. End of story."
Wren pushed off from the counter, closing the distance between us. "And that makes it better? That you wanted to fuck me before you decided to use me?"
Yeah, I wasn’t gonna win this argument. Honestly, I got it. “I’m sorry, Wren. I would rather have been caught red handed and tortured to death than have hurt you the way I know I did. I don’t care if you believe anything else. If I were you I probably wouldn’t believe me either. So I really do get it. Just, please believe me about this. I never want you to hurt. But especially not for me.”
“I saw how easily you slipped into that role tonight, threatening me, manhandling me like I was a thing."
"I saved our lives," I shot back. "If I hadn't played along with Vex, we'd both be dead in that park right now. You think I enjoyed any second of that?"
"How am I supposed to believe anything you say, Rocky? You're a professional liar! It's literally what you do for a living."
"Then why are you here?" I challenged, stepping into her space. "Why not let Ghost put that bullet in my skull like he wants to? Or just refuse to talk to me no matter what Honey said. You’ve never had a problem expressing your wishes.”
"Because I need to know!" She shoved against my chest with both hands, hard enough that I stumbled back a step. "I need to know if any of it meant anything to you or if I'm just the stupid girl who fell for your act!"
I caught her wrists as she moved to shove me again, holding them between us. Our faces hovered inches apart, her breath coming in angry puffs against my skin. Her eyes blazed with fury and a desperate hunger that mirrored the heat building in my own body.
"It meant every fuckin’ thing," I whispered.
The next thing I knew, she’d thrown her arms around my neck and fused her mouth to mine. The kiss tasted like rage and desire, her teeth catching my lower lip hard enough she might have drawn blood. I wrapped my arms tightly around her.
Wren yanked my shirt over my head and tossed it aside. I spun us around, pressing her against the wall, my hands sliding under her thighs to lift her. She wrapped her legs around my waist, grinding against me with urgent need.
"I hate you," she gasped against my mouth, even as her fingers fumbled with my belt.
"I know," I growled, dragging my lips down her throat. “But that’s too Goddamned bad because I love you.”
She let out a sob, tugging at her own clothes. I helped her strip, needing to touch her skin like I needed to breathe. Once we were both naked, I pinned her against the wall, one hand bracing beside her head while I found her pussy with my other hand, stroking her wet folds before circling her clit.