Page 14 of The Sinners Gambit

Killian wipes his forehead with a towel. “That was a great first day.”

I look up at him. “I thought I got to fight for my freedom?”

“You do, when I let you try to spar. Hence the lesson.”

Tilting my head, I look at him with furrowed brows. “So, you’re going to dissect my moves and teach me how to fix them until I can leave?”

He purses his lips. “The goal is to get you to stay willingly, but yes. Exactly. How about we each take a shower, then I can give you a tour of the courtyard?”

My head sarcastically thinks, “Yeah, there’s nothing greater than going for a nice stroll with the Beast in his castle.”But what I say is, “Sure. Sounds good.”

He’s been nothing but open about his intentions here, but there’s something about how blatant he is with his craziness that puzzles me. I see in him all the parts of me I’ve hidden from the public for years. It’s not just that our darker parts match each other, but more so how free he feels to just be that person, without a care in the world.It’s all I’ve ever wanted.

Chapter 8

Killian

Iallowthecoldwaterto cascade down my face as I try to cool off from the heat of the workout. If I’m being honest with myself, it’s from more than the pure ecstasy that runs through me whenever I’m near Naomi. Without looking down, I can feel my dick twitch with the memory of every jab, every mouthy comeback, every moment of her pure fire.

Growling at myself, I turn the water even colder, hoping to extinguish my need. I refuse to give myself any form of satisfaction while the one I really want is under the same roof. And definitely not while she’s not comfortable here. The next time I get a release, I plan to make her experience that pleasure tenfold first.

I unconsciously start playing with the ring I have on my pinky finger. It’s a gold band with a raised skull. Simple looking, but holds a world of twisted secrets.

My phone dings, alerting me that there’s a car approaching the perimeter of the property. I have cameras all throughout my compound. With the business I’m in, I don’t take any chances. I quickly get out and change into sweats, then run downstairs as I towel dry my hair.

The doorbell echoes through the halls as I reach the landing. Good timing.

When I open the door, I’m met with a faceless person. I can’t tell if it’s a man or woman with their loose fitting clothes; including a hoodie wrapped tightly around their head and ski mask obscuring their face. Without a word, they shove a scanner toward me.

As if by second nature, I bring my left hand forward to have my pinky ring scanned. Once they’re content with the scan, they hand me an envelope and walk back to their car. I kick the door closed and open the envelope to find a thick piece of cream-colored paper—it’s blank. Without needing to go grab the acetone to reveal its message, I know that it’s an invitation to this year's Mortes Ostium Masquerade Ball. I always make sure to make my eight kills a year to be invited because it’s the easiest way to have workshops, sales, and networking with those in the same field. They collect DNA evidence to track and confirm the kills. I decide to look at it more closely later to find out the location because this year I don’t want to attend unless I’m ready to present Naomi to the secret society as my partner.

That invitation was the push I needed to finally solidify my plans and go get my fiery soulmate. Now, here’s hoping that the month I have left is enough time to win her heart over and get her initiated into the Mortes Ostium too. They're a very exclusive society. We don’t know all the members and their roles. Some of us meet yearly at the ball, but it’s always a masquerade. Anonymity and staying hidden in the world is their strongest value.

I’m practically skipping as I make my way to her room—excited to get to know her better.At leastfromher, as opposed to the sleuthing I did before she was brought home.And for her to get to know me better.

Once I make it in front of her bedroom door, I knock . . . even though I know it’s unlocked.

The first night, it was important to lock her in her room in case she woke up in a panic—which she did. But now that she knows and generally understands what’s going on, she has free reign.

“Come in, you ass. Not like I can get out without someone opening the door.”

I snort as I open the door.

“It’s been unlocked, actually. I only locked it the first night for your safety. I didn’t want you to run out half-cocked after—”

“After you drugged me, you mean?” She raises her eyebrow in challenge.

Choosing to ignore her, I continue, “Plus, didn’t anyone teach you about chivalrous men? You always kno—” My words get lost as I take a deep inhale, the room smells of apple cinnamon. But it’s the beautiful woman standing in the middle that has me losing my mind. She's wearing a dark floral maxi dress that's fitted on top, but flows below the waist with a large slit showing the basic tennis shoes she paired with it. Simple, yet breathtaking.

“Says the man who’s standing there gawking at the woman he kidnapped.” She scoffs at me. “And I bet I’m not the first woman you’ve preyed on.” There’s disgust and anger filling her every word.

With that statement I take three large steps to her so my front is flush with hers. “Let’s get one thing straight—there’s only ever been you, and will only ever be you.”

Her eyes narrow in confusion over what she should feel, but the goosebumps that erupt over her skin give away more than she hopes to share. Or even admit to herself.

“But don’t worry, I understand it’ll take time. How about we start with getting to know each other? Five questions each?” I ask as I step back, allowing her some room to catch the breath stuck in her throat. “Well six and five because of your bargain. But who’s counting?”

Her eyebrows furrow in curiosity, but she’s clearly still hesitant. “Honestly?”

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