Page 97 of Retaliation

THIRTY FOUR

“Ihope you’re not thinking of cradling me all the way to my apartment on your bike?” Poison asked as Scorpion walked them out of the hospital after greeting Nick.

“Firstly,” he said, his breath brushing against her ear in a sensual tease. “I drove my car here.”

“You have a car?” she asked, her brows raising, causing him to laugh.

“Yes, I have a car. The weather doesn’t always permit a bike. As you would know.” He winked at her.

“I just usually take a Cruze,” she shrugged. “But secondly?”

“Secondly, we won’t be going to your apartment,” he stated, and her heartbeat faltered. “I’ll be able to take better care of you at my place, plus the doctor told me to keep you bound in bed, Little Viper.”

Her insides knotted, and she hid her face under his chin. The imagery that one sentence had created was enough to make her toes curl.

“And thirdly,” he whispered above her head, and she could hear the smile in his voice. “I can make sure you’re safe at my place.”

“That really won’t be necessary, I…” she began, but he cut her short.

“It is not open for discussion,” he said, his voice not leaving any room for negotiation as he came to a stop in the parking lot.

The sun painted the horizon gold as he allowed her to slide to her feet. Time slowed as he supported her, taking in his dark eyes and stern command, she considered the fact that she had never taken to being told what to do, but here and now with him, she would let him be that exception.

“So, which car is yours?” she asked, trying to change the subject to allow the threatening blush to subside. This man did things to her that her heart couldn’t catch up to.

He produced a set of keys from his pocket and pressed a button. She stared in awe as the indicators on a black Dodge Demon flickered bright orange.

“That’s yours?” she exclaimed, tracing the lines of

the car with her eyes.

“She is,” he said, his chest puffing slightly, and he opened the passenger door for her.

He helped her into the passenger seat before leaning over her to buckle her seatbelt, and she felt a weird sense of Deja vu. Gavin had done the same thing, and she made a mental note to check in on him. She hadn’t heard from him since her territory was on fire and she told him who she were.

With a smile, Scorpion closed her door, and she watched him walk around the front of the Demon. Movement behind him sent a surge of panic through her.

“Scorpion!” she screamed, the sound defining in the confined space as her eyes stayed glued to Reaper stalking Scorpion.

He followed the direction of her gaze and hesitated for a moment as if he was considering charging at Reaper.

Fear gripped her throat.

“Scorpion, please!” she begged as Reaper drew closer.

To her relief, he looked back at her and jumped into the driver’s seat. With screeching tires, he sped into the early morning light, leaving Reaper lurking in the shadows.

For what felt like hours to her, Scorpion just kept his foot on the gas pedal without a word or even a sidelong glance in her direction. Finally, he blew out a slow breath.

“That was the guy from the Lotus Lounge, wasn’t it?” he asked, his voice dangerously close to a growl.

“Yes,” she admitted, lowering her head.

“What is he to you?” Scorpion kept his eyes on the road, his face void of any emotion.

“A hit list,” she sneered, staring out the window at the buildings flashing by.

Scorpion’s foot eased on the accelerator, and from the corner of her eye, she saw him glancing her way.

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