“Do you want me to spare her?”
When Jessica tried to nod, he only gripped her hair tighter.Lorelei cocked her head as she studied Jessica.Then slowly, she shook her head no.His dick hardened in an instant, loving the vengeance in her eyes, and gave her a crooked smile.Damn.She was perfect.
He pushed Jessica to the floor and knelt on her back to hold her down.“My girl thinks I need to teach you a lesson, but I don’t think I’ll kill you.Instead, I want you to send a warning to every motherfucker out there looking for Lorelei.And that message is, fuck around with me and find out just how sadistic I can be.I want you to remember every single fucking day that it’s not good to fuck over your friends.”
He forced her hand to lay flat, and then placed his hunting knife at the second knuckle on her pinkie.The intention was clear.
“No!”she screamed.“No!God, please, no!I’m sorry, Cross.I’m so sorry.”
While she continued to beg, with a quick downward stoke he severed the digit.Jessica shrieked and howled in pain, passing out until he tapped her on the face to jolt her awake.Then he placed the knife at the next finger.
“How does the bar network?”he demanded.
“No, no, no,” she sobbed.
“If you don’t want to lose another finger, I suggest you answer my question.”
“I-I use the girls to get information,” she wailed.Spittle spewed from her mouth, mixing with tears and blood.“She told Sweetie about Noble Vale and I contacted someone I know.Th-they told me about the bounty.Please.I need a doctor.”
He leaned in close.“It would be in your best interest if you and your spies forget you know me and Lorelei.If I hear you’ve double-crossed me again, I’m coming back to chop off all your fingers.You’ll have to hire someone to wipe your ass.Do you understand me?”
Jessica mumbled something unintelligent.
He grabbed her hair again.“I asked if you understood me?”
“Y-yes!”
Satisfied, he rose and grabbed the finger.He wasn’t going to allow her to reattach it.He looked at Lorelei, wondering if this nightmare side of him scared her, but all he saw was acceptance.She knew they needed to be brutal to protect themselves.
“Go ahead and get dressed,” he said, his tone gentling.“I want us out of here ASAP.”
Lorelei didn’t even hesitate.She grabbed her duffel, skirted around him and Jessica, and hurried into the bathroom.A second later, he heard the shower.Rising, he grabbed his stuff and packed up, making sure to keep an eye on Jessica.The woman didn’t move.Then Lorelei rushed back into the bedroom, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, with hair slightly damp and whisps curling around her face.
“Think you can keep an eye on her?”he asked.
She nodded.
“Good.Brain her if she gives you trouble, although I’m betting she’s out for the count.”
Lorelei gave a thumbs-up.Holding in his smile, he headed into the bathroom and took the world’s fastest shower, washing off the blood staining his skin.When he reentered the bedroom, he saw that Lorelei hadn’t moved, keeping a close eye on the woman who betrayed them.The devil riding him demanded her touch.He slipped a hand on her waist and pulled her into his body, before sliding his hand around the back of her neck.
“Never think of her again.Okay?”
As soon as she nodded, he leaned his forehead against hers.This perfect woman was his.Even the kiss lessened the demons in his head, and he vowed right then and there he’d fight the Devil himself to keep her by his side.