Page 57 of Reaper Flame

“Seasickness,” I repeated again.

Before they could press me, Vixen squealed as West scooped her up into his arms and started doing bench-presses with her like she was a kettlebell. Goddammit, if this was his attempt to show me what I’d be missing, it was working. His perfectly defined muscled arms could carry a small car.

I rolled my eyes. “Does the macho act ever get old?”

In response, West threw Vixen into the air like a circus performer. Mieko’s hand flew to her mouth.

“Don’t worry,” West said, winking in Mieko’s direction and catching Vixen perfectly. They were like a cheerleading double-act. “I’m not gonna drop her.”

Mieko wasn’t convinced. She didn’t exhale fully until Vixen returned to her feet and did a small bow for the hollering Rocky and Q.

“You know what, I think I might call it a night. I don’t feel so good,” I said, unable to bring myself to fake a smile. “Sorry, I know it’s your special night and all.”

“I’m just glad you could be here,” Mieko said, then winced as West and Vixen started on another routine. “I think West has the entertainment covered.”

“I’ll walk you back to your room if you like?” Rocky called over from behind a haze of smoke.

“I’m capable of walking myself,” I replied, then gave Mieko a hug. “Congratulations again.”

* * *

Ishouldgo back to my room like I said I would, but I knew I wouldn’t...

I couldn’t stop thinking about what Zander said. His words were like an annoying song I couldn’t shake off. The fucker knew how to get under my skin more than anyone, and I couldn’t decide what annoyed me more: him telling me I had his heart or how a part of me liked it.

I went straight to his cabin. My fists hammered on his door before I could change my mind. He answered immediately. Looking at him, you’d never be able to guess that his back was bleeding and covered in lashings.

Zander leaned in the door frame, raising an eyebrow. “Back so soon?”

I didn’t wait for an invitation and barged past.

“You can’t just come out with things like that!” I exploded as he shut the door behind me. “You mess with people’s heads, Zander. It’s what you do! I didn’t say anything earlier, but…”

Words continued to tumble out my mouth, but they made no sense. I intended to be controlled and poised during our confrontation, but I was a babbling freaking mess. Zander’s eyes glittered in mild bemusement, which only infuriated me more.

“You don’t feel anything!” I finally declared. “You’re not capable of it!”

Zander stretched his arms out. The motion would have aggravated his wounds and torn his lacerations open wider, but he showed no sign of discomfort. The marks I etched into his skin matched those he carved into my fucking heart that night at the warehouse. The night that changed everything.

“It doesn’t matter whether you believe me or not,” Zander replied. “But I needed you to know.”

I fucking hated him. Not just for what he did to me, but for how he made mefeel!His words were gasoline, setting fire to all of my logical reasoning and burning me from the inside out.

My body shook with anger. “I hate you.”

“Why are you here then?” Zander asked. “You left a party to speak to me. There must be a reason why you came back.”

I hadn’t planned ahead! What had I been hoping to achieve? All I knew was I couldn’t enjoy a party knowing he was alone and thinking he was doomed to have the same miserable life as his father.

“I don’t know,” I admitted.

“Did you come to finish what you started?” Zander suggested. “I don’t blame you. If you want to kill me, I won’t resist. I won’t even make a sound.”

“Shut up, Zander!”

He obliged and bowed his head. He closed his eyes, waiting in silence. Instead of delivering a fatal blow, my lips brushed against his cheek. My heart raced at his familiar smell. Smoke, leather, bergamot, and a hint of citrus.

Zander’s head jerked up, his eyes wide in shock. “Wha—”

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