Page 13 of Pretty Threats

8

RAINE

My heart hammers in my chest as I try not to panic. Killian sets me down in the middle of a downstairs living room. It’s much lighter inside than expected because of the lamps and eggshell-colored walls.

I didn’t realize Killian had housemates, especially these ones. The dark-haired man is gigantic. Even his face is broad, with high cheekbones and a strong jaw. In an online video game, he’d be a berserker.

The other man—the one who grabbed me—is practically his opposite. He’s as golden as a sun god and stunningly beautiful, with symmetrical features and a perfectly proportioned… everything. He’s tall, but not quite as tall as Killian. And even though he’s frowning, his cornflower blue eyes make him look less dangerous than the other two.

Reflexively, I move closer to Killian because he’s the only one I know and historically, he’s been my protector. Sort of.

When Killian speaks, his tone of voice isn’t reassuring. “What are you doing here, Raine?”

I straighten my spine. At five-five, my height is nothing to celebrate, but no matter how scary this towering wall of anger and muscles looks, I am not going to cower.

“You told me to come.”

Killian’s head jerks in sharp disagreement. “No.”

“Yes, you did. Look at your phone, your text.”

He removes his phone and studies it. When he murmurs the word fuck, it’s almost inaudible. Then he looks at the other two. “Yeah, I swiped the wrong letter. The letters i and u should not be next to each other on the fucking keyboard. Meant to say I would go over to her place, not the reverse.”

There’s a moment of silence as we all process that my being here is a stupid mistake that could’ve been avoided.

“Yeah, well, past is past, mate. Gotta go from here,” the blond one says.

The dark-haired one’s gaze shifts from me to Killian. “He’s right. Need me to do it?”

The breath freezes in my lungs when I realize what he means.

He’s offering to kill me.

9

KILLIAN

Irefuse to accept that Raine has to be killed, but right now, I’m outnumbered in the vote. My mind races, and thoughts click into place. If I have to kill War and Jamie to save her, I need them to move farther apart. Right now, we’re standing together, and they’re watching me closely in case I make a move. No way would I succeed in taking them both down.

For now, I have to convince them she’s not a threat.

“All right, let’s take a breath,” Jamie says in a tone that’s calm and almost friendly. “Raine is it? Pretty name. Go wait in the kitchen, Raine, and stay in our line of sight.” His ability to hide his emotions and intentions is world class.

Raine stares up at me, looking suddenly terrified. “Killian,” she whispers.

“Come on.” I take her arm and walk her to the kitchen, keeping my voice low so I won’t be overheard. “Stand still and say nothing. I’ll handle this.”

I turn and walk back toward the men who were supposed to be my partners for years to come. I can’t believe it’s come down to this. During training, the three of us formed a unit that became unbeatable. It’ll be a big fucking shame if I have to kill them.

Still, my mind breaks down the sinister possibilities. I don’t think Jamie’s got a gun on him. But if I start a fight with War, Jamie will have time to get one. Then, even if I made it through a “kill or be killed” battle with War—which is a big if—Jamie would put a bullet in my brain and heart before I ever get a chance to make a move in his direction.

War gestures us closer, and the three of us move into a tight circle to speak low, so she can’t hear us.

“What’s the deal? You’re fucking this girl?” Jamie asks.

“No.”

“But you used to?”

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