Page 7 of The Sinners Gambit

Once we order, we all stand around the “Pick-up Order” area, and I sneak a look at her hospital ID. Okay, Naomi Adams, let the games begin.

I may have learned everything about her since that first meeting, but now it’s time for her to get to know me. I’ve been waiting a long time to steal away mylittle firecracker. Looking down at the red bead, I smile because I’m finally going to get that chance.

Chapter 5

Naomi

I’mpacingthefloorof my million-dollar jail cell in one of the cocktail dresses he bought for me, paired with stilettos. He wants to claim me as his, and I will use everyasset to my disposal, emphasis on “ass” because mine looks fucking fabulous right now. The strapless dress is navy blue with every inch of fabric hugging my curves and the shade bringing out my own eyes.

Something about this whole thing feels exciting. Not the “getting kidnapped, held against my will, and creepy stalker who knows everything about me down to my underwear size” part. No. The excitement comes from always being up for a challenge and knowing I can beat him at his own sick twisted game. The pretty-boy billionaire doesn’t scare me. I’m not some damsel in distress, even though people have always misjudged me to be. There’s a very sinister reason that Quinnly and I get along so well.

And Killian is going to see just how feisty I can be.

The thing I hate most about arrogant men is when they don’t take no for an answer. Especially when they’re trying to play grab-ass. I let it go the first time, I threatened the second time, but as soon as the third came it was game over.

Now that Jessey and her girlfriend have gone to grab more drinks, it’s payback time. Twisting the thumb of his grabby hand so far back it makes him wince, I drag him out the side door of the club. Quinnly’s fast on my heels.

“Fuck,” he says shaking his hand after I let go. “If you wanted me alone, you just had to say so. Your girlfriend can join too.” The skeevy idiot’s trying to save face.

Instead of responding with words, I round my hand back and punch him in the face.

“You broke my nose, you dumb bitch!” He grabs his face as blood starts gushing out.

“No, I think you're the dumb bitch now,” Quinnly says.“That’s not all we’re about to break.” She punches him too as he's still reeling from the broken nose like a prissy bitch.

Before we can do anything else my cell phone starts ringing. “Fuck, it’s Jess. We gotta head back.”

Quinnly kicks him in the nuts. He drops like a bag of weights.

I take the opportunity to kick him in the stomach. “Next time, listen when a woman says no.”

“You won’t be so fortunate in the future. I better not see you back in there,” Quinnly adds.

I hear footsteps coming from the hallway, which immediately makes my eyes dart to the door. Taking a deep breath, I walk to meet my kidnappers.

You’d think it was the hallway in a palace given how long it takes him to walk down and unlock my door, or maybe it’s the nervous energy of wanting to give ‘em hell.

When the door opens, I’m met with the same hazel eyes that greeted me in my Uber. “Good evening, Naomi. I will be escorting you to dinner,” Axel says as he gestures down the hallway.

“Hmm. After you,” is all I say. That may have sounded stupid since I don’t know where I’m going, but I want to be behind him, not beside, so I can scope out the mansion-sized house we’re in without him noticing. Granted, I’m sure there are cameras everywhere—not just my room.

I can see why it took so long for him to make it down here. This hallway, which is dimly lit, extends forever with closed doors on both sides. There are beautiful sconces in between each doorway. To others, this palace would seem haunting, especially with being in an unknown place after being drugged and kidnapped. But this feels homey to me. A safe space where I can get my work done—destroying Killian. You don’t fuck with me.

“Are you liking your accommodations? If there’s anything you don’t like, we can—”

“It’s creepily up to par with all of my tastes,” I say, cutting him off and making him snort.

“Boss man told us that there can only be the best for his queen.”

My nose scrunches at that. “I’m no one’s anything.”

Axel turns to look at me with a gentle smile, which is almost comforting. “We’ll agree to disagree.”

“How big is this compound?” I ask, curious.

He turns around, beaming at me. “I thought you’d never ask.” He starts walking backwards as he faces me, but there’s plenty of hallway left. I really take a look at him now. The shoes I heard earlier were dress shoes, paired with dark chinos and a black shirt, not fully buttoned, with the sleeves rolled up. I can see a couple of gold chains around his neck. Overall, he’s definitely not bad to look at.

“This ‘compound,’ as you called it, has two wings, a swimming pool out back, and the two masters have Jacuzzi tubs”—that means I’m staying in one of the master bedrooms—“a beautiful garden, tennis court, home theater, and training room. There’s a lot I left out, but based on your tastes, I figure those are the important ones to name.”

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