Page 65 of The Reaper's Vice

“Why? Because I’m notspeciallike you?” I sneer.

He shakes his head sadly. “No, Orion. It’s because she’sdangerous.”

At that, I balk.My little dove, dangerous? Sure, she knows how to defend herself, but I wouldn’t class her as a danger to my life. If she was such a terror, she could have killed me any of the dozens of times I turned my back to her last night. Restraints or not.

Ghost looks at my murderous expression, then turns and heads for the door. Before he leaves, he gives me one last piece of advice.

“Stay away, Orion. It’s for your own good.”

He exits, leaving nothing behind but the faint smell of cigarette smoke. I stare at the door for several minutes, running over the warning he gave me.

If only staying away was an option.

31

SERAPHINA

“ZIP ZAP”

As soon asOrion and the other man—Ghost—leave the room, I roll to the floor and wiggle to the door like a desperate worm. I position my head sideways to the door and press my ear to the splitting wood, desperately trying to make out the muffled voices on the other side. Alas, for all my efforts, the only thing I’m able to make out are Ghost’s passing words:She’s dangerous.

I purse my lips as irritation prickles my skin.That’s fucking rich coming from an ex-Phantom. He’s probably tortured and killed a hundredtimesthe number of people I have.

“She’s dangerous.” I blow a raspberry at the door. “You’re no sweetheart, either, you know…”

It occurs to me I’m talking to thin air, and a flush of embarrassment creeps up the back of my neck. Of course, that all fades as footsteps clunk toward the door. The doorknob twists, and a blast of cold air smacks me in the face as Orion pulls it open.

His eyes roam over my backside, a smirk pulling at his mouth as he takes in the ridiculous position I’ve gotten myself into. Butt naked, bound, and face down on the floor is a first for me, though I imagine it’s far more amusing to be on the witnessing end.

I twist my head, doing my best attempt at a seething glare. “Can I help you?”

His smirk widens as he steps over me, pulling the door closed and locking it with a swift flick of his fingers. “It doesn’t look likeI’mthe one who needs help.”

“Then you have sorely underestimated me.” I sniff, turning face down to the floor. Pushing my forehead to the wood floors, I attempt to bring my knees under me but only end up falling to the side like a drunken baby gazelle.

Oh, and I probably looked fucking ridiculous to boot.

I shift my eyes to Orion, imagining shoving a rusted eye pick through his ear as his laughter rings out.

“Oh my…fucking…crackers…” He doubles over, clutching his stomach as that rich sound fills the air. “You… you’re too much.” He straightens, his tattooed forearm flexing as he wipes a tear from the corner of his eye. My gaze snags on that straining muscle, clenching my thighs as depraved thoughts fill my head.What the fuck is wrong with me?

I purse my lips. “Someone very wise once told me some advice I’m going to give to you: No one says ‘oh my fucking crackers.’ Do not try to make it a thing.”

His blue eyes twinkle as he looks down at me, but he doesn’t look like he’s about to respond any time soon. Instead, his attention has refocused on my breasts, the little red cuts and bruises he placed only hours ago. Orion’s throat bobs, his broad shoulders straining as he clenches and unclenches his fist at his side. When he speaks, his voice is rough and clipped, as if it’s taking him great restraint to say the words.

“We should… go out. It would be good for you to get some fresh air.”

I raise a brow, wondering what brought on this change in attitude. “Aren’t you worried what will happen when you let me out of these cuffs? You heard the Phantom—I’m dangerous.”

Orion crouches low, brushing my hair gently from my face. “It’s good that I like dangerous, then.” He slides his hand down my spine, drawing heat to the surface of my chilled skin. I’m so lost in the sensation that I don’t realize Orion has released my cuffs until he dangles them in front of my eyes.

My joy is short-lived, however. Reaching into his pocket, Orion pulls out what looks to be a dog collar—an electric shock collar, to be specific. I eye the metal pins with a raised brow before turning my gaze to Orion, daring him to try.

“If you wanted to put that thing on me, you really should have left my cuffs on.”

He tilts his head. “If you’re good, I’ll let you come…”

I scoff, rolling my eyes. “Now that I can move my hands, I can do that mysel?—”

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