Page 9 of The Sinners Gambit

“Well, that was hot,” Axel says, reminding us he’s still here.

“Nothing about this is hot!” I seethe at him, but he only shrugs.

“I don’t know—the tension between you two is more than anger, and definitely very hot.”

“Come on, dinner’s getting cold,” Killian smirks, leading the way. He may have won this round, but I plan to win the war.

The dining room could seat over twenty guests, I’m sure. However since it’s just the three of us, we’re all at one end of the table. The only things on the table are a bowl of salad, all of our cutlery, a glass filled with water for each of us, and another with some sort of wine, I assume.

“You like your filet medium, right?”

“I-uh-yeah . . . medium,” I stutter. Right as I say that a staff member comes out from the kitchen with a covered plate of food and presents it to me like I’m at dinner with the queen. He uncovers a perfect cut of steak with mashed potatoes and vegetable medley. I want to refuse the meal, but I'll need to be at my full strength to get out of this alive.

A boyish grin erupts across his face like his favorite sports team just scored a goal. I’ll let him have this win. If only for this moment so I can suss him out. But I find my eyes drawing to the steak knife and his carotid artery that’s right there for the taking.

Check, asshole.

Chapter 6

Killian

Iwatchherlikeahawk as she slices the perfectly tender cut of meat and places it in her mouth. Her eyes expand in delight, which she quickly tries to cover up with a look of disdain, but I see it. I see her.“Good?”

“I’ve had better,” she lies as she takes another bite. Her microexpressions give her away, even if she doesn’t want to look in my direction.

“I’ll be sure to let Guillermo know to do better, or else . . .” I say.

She turns to look me in the eye. “What do you mean ‘or else?’” You can tell she’s worried about him, and she doesn’t even know him. I can’t imagine the protectiveness she feels for those she loves. I want to feel that . . . the last time I felt real love was my parents. My uncle raised me after their passing, but there was never any warmth there.

Axel’s snort in the corner makes me laugh—pulling me out of my thoughts. “Or else he’ll have to keep trying. Contrary to your beliefs, I’m not evil.” Her eyebrows shoot up. “Okay—thatevil. I reward loyalty with loyalty.” It’s a joke, but there’s some truth to it when it comes to those I care about. Little does she know, I’d burn the world down for her.

“Is that what you are . . . ?” She turns to look at Axel. “Loyal to him?”

His eyes meet hers and he smirks. “You’ll learn that there’s more to see in this situation.” Axel leans into the table as lights dance behind his eyes. “And I have a feeling you’ll like it more than you’re willing to admit right now.”

“I guess it’s like you said, there’s more than meets the eye,” she says.

“Don’t I know it,” I teasingly challenge.

She smirks at me. “No, no you don’t. You think you know therealme. But you haven’t even scratched the surface, Killian.” That intrigues me, because I’m sure there’s so much I wouldn't know from just watching her for months. But it also solidifies me knowing how deep that fire burns within her soul.

“Won’t you tell me?” I ask.

“If you think you know everything then why am I here?” Naomi counters. “Why did you bring me here to this prison?”

“I’d hardly call it a prison. You have everything your heart can desire . . . has desired. All of those darkest desires you’ve kept to yourself are a reality in my castle.”

Her eyes look conflicted.You like being my queen don’t you, firecracker?But she says with resolve, “All but the key to escape. No, you seem to get off on the idea of trapping me.”

“Aren’t you sweet for thinking of things that tickle my fancy?” I chuckle. “Well, I’m not afraid of bindings or being trapped. And something tells me you’d be a willing participant in those decadences.”

There’s a spark igniting in her eyes that she tries to blink away to no avail.Oh, my little firecracker.“That doesn’t answer my question,” she says, but there’s a barely noticeable stutter.

“No, but you ignoring him may speak to what he said being more accurate than you want to admit.” Her cheeks flush.

“Can I watch?” asks Axel as I’m mid-sip of my wine, making me choke as I laugh.

“Shut the fuck up.”

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