Page 52 of Monsters Wear Crowns
“And what happens when the next threat comes?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “When someone else tries to getinto my system?”
Rafe carefully set his glass down and leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. When he spoke, his voice was low. “Then they bleed,” he said. “Just like this one did.”
My stomach flipped, but I refused to show weakness. I’d grown up surrounded by powerful, dangerous men–men who would crush me if I let them see fear. And I wouldn’t start now. Not even with him.Especiallynot with him. But the worst part I couldn’t admit, even to myself, was that the danger only made me want him more.
The limo eased to a slow stop at a red light, the faint glow of the city spilling in through the tinted windows. I could feel the weight of Rafe’s attention like a physical touch–the heat of it sliding over my skin, curling around my throat.
“How can you be so calm?” I asked, my voice soft but steady. “You know someone’s coming after you.”
A slow smile tugged at his mouth. “I told you, I’m always prepared.”
“Prepared for what?”
His eyes darkened. “War. It’s a constant threat in our world. You should know that.”
I nodded. I was aware of that constant, looming threat. At any point, someone could try to take me down. I’d go to prison for fucking life if it came out who I protected. Oh well, it was the excitement and the darkness that kept me sane. Because honestly? If I was doing anything else, I’d be bored as shit.
The limo started moving again, the soft vibration under my legs a reminder of just how fast things were spiraling.
“And what happens when that war touches my company?” I asked, keeping my voice cool.
He tilted his head, considering me. “It won’t.”
“And I’m just supposed to take your word on that?”
He smiled. “You’re supposed to trust me.”
I let out a short, humorless laugh. “I don’t trustanyone, Rafe.”
His eyes gleamed. “That’s because no one’s everearnedit.”
The words slipped under my skin too easily, burrowing into places I didn’t want touched. And annoyingly...he wasn’t wrong.
I drained the rest of my whiskey and set the glass aside. And when I turned back to him, he was still watching me, his gaze sliding lower. His attention was wildly intense.
“Why did you ask me to come with you tonight?” I asked.
“Because I wanted you there.”
“And because you want me to see how you do business.”
He smiled like a predator. “You already know how I do business, Adela.”
“I haven’t. Not really.” I swallowed. “If I decide this is too risky?”
He leaned forward slowly, until there was barely a breath of space between us. His voice was a low, velvet threat. “Then I’ll convince you to stay.”
I bit my lip. I hated how easily he could do this. Lifting my chin, I met his gaze. “Is that a promise? Or a threat?”
His smile was wicked. “Both, baby.”
The limo slowed, and I realized we were approaching a private airstrip. The sleek, black shape of a helicopter waited on the tarmac, its blades already spinning.
I glanced back at him, one brow arching. “Going somewhere?”
He reached for the door handle, but not before his fingers brushed my thigh, just enough to make me suck in a breath.
“If you wanted to see more of...how I do business,” he murmured. “Then join me.” The door opened, and warm summer air rushed in. I stepped out, my heels clicking against the pavement, and when Rafe joined me, his heat at my back was enough to make me shiver.
