Page 105 of Lady Killer

“Then you’ll understand that I need a break from the bickering,” I practically whined. “Plus, I really am hungry.”

Channeling my inner Autumn, I gave him my biggest eyes and stuck out my bottom lip. Two could play this game.

“All right,” he said, standing up. “But no going after Payton until I return. I don’t trust Nixie to keep you safe.”

“Fuck you, Ever.”

“Seriously, Starbright, he may be decent with a gun and brilliant with matches, but he’s damn near useless with a knife.”

“Come closer and I’ll show you just how useless I am.”

Everest rolled his eyes dramatically as he opened the door. “Sensitive that one, Luz. Make sure he sticks the pointy end out if anything goes down in my absence.” He slipped out the door as Nixon cursed him out.

With a sigh, I opened up my book again.Capital in the Twenty-First Centurywasn’t going to read itself.

My babysitter had other plans.

“Looks like it’s just you and me now.” Nixon leaned over the table, crossing his arms.

I didn’t bother looking up at him.

“What’s the matter, puppy, cat got your tongue?”

“The whole point of asking him to get snacks was to give me a break from hearing your voice so that I could actually get some work done,” I said, head still in my book.

Nixon rose from his seat and prowled around the table, plopping himself down in the chair next to me that Ever had just vacated.

“Remember what happened the last time we were in the library?” he said, kicking my chair.

“Trying to get stabbed again? I didn’t realize you had a thing for knife play.”

“Wow, fuck my brother once, and all of a sudden, you’re a kinky bitch. Didn’t think you had it in you.”

I could no longer read the words on the page, but I refused to give him any satisfaction.

Don’t take the bait. Don’t take the bait.

“Or are you still holding out on him? I know Ali’s more patient than I am, but it’s cruel to string a man along forever without putting out.”

It was the tug on my hair that broke my will.

I spun around to face him, and my temper boiled over at the smug look on his face. “You know what I can’t figure out, Nixon?” I said. “Are you jealous that your brother is paying attention to someone other than you or are you jealous that he’s getting something you can’t?”

Faster than I could have anticipated, he was in my space, hands braced on the armrests of my chair, caging me with his frame.

Like always, he smelled of smoke and spices. It reminded me of the night my mother saved me.

“Is that what you think, puppy? That I couldn’t have exactly what you’re giving my brother.”

“Never.”

“Really? You’re happy to let him share you with Everest. Haven’t you ever wanted to try a twin sandwich?”

“You’re disgusting,” I said, fidgeting in my seat.

Where Alister was solemn and reserved, wound tight even in moments of passion, Nixon wielded his emotions like a weapon. Scorn and lust were written across his face as plainly as my now-discarded book. That he wanted me was clear, but this was a man who treated women as disposable. Any desire he admitted to would be self-serving.

“You’re a liar. We’re identical twins. You can’t say you’ve thought about fucking one and not the other.” His mouth pulled into a cruel grin, and my eyes snagged on the scar above his lip.

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