Page 62 of Cruel Revenge

“Does that mean it’s the next one you’re going to come after?”

She makes a noncommittal noise in the back of her throat. “You and I both know that Aiden is going to be out for blood. While I’m not interested in negotiations, I am interested in staying alive as long as possible. You promise not to come after me, and I’ll leave you as the last member of your family standing.”

The floor falls out from beneath me, and the room grows impossibly warm. The walls press in until it feels like there’s nothing else but her and me.

“I’m not going to make that deal with you.”

“Then you’re a fool.” She kicks her heels up on the desk, getting comfortable. “Here I am, giving you a warning that I’m about to light your entire world on fireandgiving you a chance to survive it, and you’re telling me no?”

“I’ll kill you before you have the chance to lay a hand on my family.” I brace my hands on the desk and lean in. “You think I won’t enjoy hunting you down? Killing you and making sure that my face is the last you ever see?”

Her feet drop to the ground, and she sits up, interest shining on her face.

She smiles. “There you are, Reaper. I was wondering when we were going to meet.”

Chapter Sixteen

JOSHUA

I stareat the closed bedroom door.

What the hell is going to greet me on the other side today? What kind of mood is Skyla going to be in?

What would she do if I went in there, threw her against the wall, held a knife to her throat, and asked her what the hell was going on? What is it I don’t know about her?

I want to ask her what fucking secret she has that’s going to get us both killed.

I don’t know when the line was crossed, but I no longer see our relationship as fake. And that scares the shit out of me because I have no idea what I’m getting into.

All I know is the thought of losing her is more hurtful than anything I can imagine she is hiding.

But I still want to know. Ineedto know.

Taking a deep breath, I walk into the bedroom and look at Skyla lounging on the bed like she doesn’t have a care in the world. “You need to get ready.”

As much as I want to ask her what she’s hiding from me right now, I think both of us need some time to act like an actual couple.

If we’re going to sell the relationship, then both of us need to make an effort to ignore the lies.

For now, at least. Because if we ever take this relationship to the next level, and I think we already have, we need to get everything out in the open.

Even if my secrets will have to come out along with hers.

And I have no idea if I’m ready for that just yet. For her to look at me differently. For her to walk away.

She is mine, and I don’t think I’ll be able to just let her go.

Skyla rolls onto her back and props herself up on her elbows, her phone falling to the side. “Why?”

“We’re going on a date.”

Her eyebrows climb, her full lips parting. “Are we?”

She gets out of bed and pulls off her shirt, dropping it to the ground. When her nipples harden into stiff peaks, pressing against the thin lavender lace of her bra, my cock swells.

The last thing I want to do is ruin whatever little game she’s playing right now, especially when lust is shining bright in her eyes and she looks like she’s seconds away from climbing me like a tree.

My gaze rakes down her body as she reaches for the waistband of her black leggings.

---