Page 18 of The Sinners Gambit

He breaks out in a big goofy grin, which makes me smile. “You called me Axe.”

I sigh, but there’s a small smile on my face. “I guess I did.”

He winks at me before continuing, “I appreciate that. Especially coming from my littleBelle.”

“‘Cause of the kidnapping?”

“Precisely. And I hear you like to read, making it perfect.”

I purse my lips to hide my smile. “But you’re not my beast.”

“No, that would be your . . .Killer,wasn’t it?” he says playfully.

“Yeah . . .Killer.But I won’t be falling for mine,” I try to say sternly, but my voice trembles.

One side of his lips lifts in a grin as he looks at me. “Sure, you can tell yourself that.”

I bite my lip not wanting to continue with this conversation. “I think what I will tellyouis goodnight, I’m exhausted.”

“Goodnight, Belle. Hope you’re able to keep the Beast out of your dreams.”

“Goodnight, Axe!” I yell at him, trying hard not to chuckle. “You’re too much.”

“This is the start of a beautiful friendship,mi bella!”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah . . .” I say, getting up and heading for the spiral staircase. I can’t help but smile as I do, because part of me believes him. Being here with him feels like meeting a new friend, but one that you feel this weird instant connection with and want to talk for hours.

I stop as I get to the bottom of the steps—my hand grasping the railing. I shake out my head and body lightly to snap myself out of whatever I’m feeling. Maybe I should go see a psychiatrist once I get out, this is cuckoo-bananas talk. Friendship with my kidnapper? Falling for my stalker?What. The. Actual. Fuck?

These conflicting thoughts keep swirling around my head as I make my way back to the room. I haven’t been locked in the room since my first night here. I have more freedom to roam around, but it’s been made clear that it would be impossible to leave the mansion itself. I’m not exactly sure what that means, but I’m not in a big rush to find out.

I feel exhausted from everything and just want to go to bed. Maybe I’ll wake up with a more solid game plan. Not being able to help myself when I see an open door with a small light on, I peek inside. It’s floor-to-ceiling books. I snort out when I see the ladder.Belle and the Beast indeed.

I take a deep inhale of the library. It smells like mahogany and teakwood. Walking over to the books, I can’t help but trail my fingers over the spines as I move—taking in all the titles. Some of them are my old favorites, but some are books on my to-be-read list. My eyes scrunch as I notice a note on folded white cardstock on one of the shelves. It’s addressed to me.

My lips are at war with wanting to smile, but also frown. Instead I let my curiosity take me to the bedroom. I’ll be back to the library when I finish the book he left on my nightstand that first night.

When I make it to the room, I see that there’s a cup of warm chamomile tea with another note that says “For your nightmares.” My heart skips a beat at the gesture. I only told him about them earlier today. And it also makes me realize that I haven’t had one since I’ve been here.

Two nights and no nightmares? That’s the longest I’ve gone in years.

I freeze when every single one of my organs feels like it’s being squeezed in a vice.

What’s wrong with me?

I’m only here for one reason.

To take down Killian Morel once and for all.

Why do I suddenly feel conflicted about that?

That fucking sexual tension is killing me. Maybe we can just fuck once? I can slit his throat during sex, right? Maybe after an orgasm . . . or two. Get it out of my system and get him out of the world.

I shove my face into my pillow and sigh. “Ugh!” I’ve officially lost all my marbles.

Chapter 10

Killian

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