Page 26 of Tarnished Hands

“I can’t eat it.”

“Why, is it not runny enough?” I look down and find it’s fine.

“It’s touching.”

“Touching?”

She points to the bacon, which is touching the eggs.

“Oh.” I get it. I reach for her plate and take it away. She doesn’t say anything. I cook what would have been my egg how she likes it and make sure nothing is touching when I plate it up. I set the plate down in front of her. She doesn’t say thank you, but she does eat it.

“Before you leave, put everything back where it was,” she says as she bites into a piece of bacon. I watch her eat, fascinated with her mouth.

“I will.”

“Do you know how to use a knife?” she asks. “Or a gun?”

“Yes, and yes. My father was a sharpshooter. I’m a damn good shot too.”

“So why do you fix cars?”

“You’d prefer me to go out and kill people?”

Piper shrugs her shoulders. “Would be easier.”

“What would be?” I question.

“If you were a little more…” She thinks for a moment, then whispers, “Bad.”

“You don’t think I’m bad enough?” I ask, leaning into her personal space.

Piper looks up at me as she chews her food. “You’re a nice guy.”

“You think I’m nice?” I smirk, and she rolls her eyes.

“Trust you to take that as a compliment.” She stares at her food.

“Would you like it if I cut people up for a living, possibly killed someone because they looked at you wrong?”

“Yes,” she says without hesitation.

“Can’t say I would kill someone.” My hand slides around her throat, and I tilt her head back so she has to look up at me. “But if another man ever touches you, I’m an excellent shot.”

“Talk dirty to me.” She breathes, her chest heaving. I can’t help but lean down and kiss her lips.

“I knew you loved it.” I let her go and then tidy my mess before I leave. “I’ll be back tonight,” I tell her, putting my shoes on.

“Don’t.”

“Be ready by eight. I want to go out.”

I don’t give her time to argue as I stride out the door.

Chapter Fifteen

PIPER

“You can’t ignore me,” Sailor says as we sit at the nail salon while her nails are being polished.

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