Page 89 of Never Sleep with the Enemy

“Bullshit.” He turns to face me. “Iknowyou’re up to something. I’m giving you one chance—and only one—to back off.”

“I’m not up to anything, Knox.”

“Then why are you here?”

“Halloween in Las Vegas. Sounded like fun.”

“Bullshit.” His eyes narrow. “Do what you want to me. I can take it. But leave my sister out of this. No more cutting in on the dance floor. No more pulling her up on stage. If you so much as look at her again, I will end you. You hear me?”

I turn slowly, letting the tension stretch, my smirk digging in as I meet his eyes. “Curious,” I murmur.

Knox sneers. “What is? What it’s gonna feel like when I whip your ass again? Because I gotta tell ya, I’m curious about that myself.”

“No.” I pause, studying him. “I’m curious what little sister would think of you threatening me like this.”

Knox lets out a breathy laugh. “You think she’d care?” His eyes spark with something cruel. “She hates you as much as I do.”

I go still. Just for a second.

Knox sees it. Pounces. “You’re a joke, Shock. You’llalwaysbe a joke. Just the other day, she told me howcringeit was to even be associated with you.”

My ribs squeeze in.

Knox grins. “So whatever you’re up to, knock it off. It’spathetic.”

The elevator stops. The golden doors slide open.

“Gentlemen.”

Knox and I break eye contact, both turning toward the towering figure in a jet black suit waiting outside. He stands with his arms crossed over his massive chest, obviously waiting for us to arrive, his thick beard twitching with disapproval.

“Hey, Ira,” Knox says. “What’s up?”

Ah. Ira. One of the infamous Botsford brothers, I believe.

“What’s upis that I watched two problem guests board the same elevator,” he says flatly. His brown eyes pin us both, sharp as a blade. “Is there something happening here I should know about?”

“No,” I answer easily. “Just having a friendly chat.”

“Right,” Knox scoffs, then blinks. “Wait, problem guest? I’m aproblem guest?”

“Yes,” Ira says.

“Why am I a problem?”

Ira ignores him, eyes still locked on me. “Is there something I should know, Mr. Shock?”

“No,” I say again.

“Good. Now, step off.”

Knox and I move forward—until Ira lifts a hand, stopping me. “Separately,” he says, waving Knox through first.

“You’re being very bossy,” Knox says, pushing past Ira’s shoulder. “I’m telling Jonah.”

“Not until the 29th, you’re not,” Ira deadpans.

“Dammit,”Knox grumbles as he stalks off.

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