Page 55 of Hexed
My words wash away the fury covering his face, and something soft takes its place. A piece of his hair has fallen just over his left eyebrow, and I reach out, smoothing it back into place. He licks his lips, gives a curt nod, and takes a step back.
And now I’m even more turned on.
Inappropriate, Venesa.
Turns out Lover Boy looks pretty good when he’s a little unhinged.
I smile appreciatively before clearing my throat and focusing on Sean.
“I’m sure even a guy like you gets the precarious situation you’ve found yourself in. You come into my place of business and try to cheat me out of money? Surely you understand how I can’t just let you walk away from that.”
“Counting cards isn’t illegal, you dumb bitch,” he says.
Enzo sighs loudly and cracks his knuckles, but I shoot him a look, and he stays leaned against the wall, crossing his arms with a frown.
I put the tip of the needle in the hollow between Sean’s first two fingers and press until it slips under his skin. He hisses and jerks.
“You know, normally I like a dirty mouth, but your repetition isexhausting. Where’s the creativity? I don’t like lazy people.”
Silence.
Bending over until my hair brushes against his cheek, I whisper, “Where are you from, sugar?”
“I’m…fuck!”
“I don’twantto hurt you.” I press closer. “Last chance, Sean.”
No reply.
I inject the venom and stand back, placing the syringe on the rolling tray.
Sean’s body shakes almost immediately, making the chains rattle even more against the steel table, and he grunts.
“Yeah, I know that hurts.”
I grab the other vial and show it to him, although his eyes are glossing over, most likely from the pain spreading through his body.
“This is the antidote, and I’ll be honest, even though it sounds like a reprieve, I know how to use it tomyadvantage. Ican inject you with this just so I can start the process over again. Over and over and over, until you’re begging for death.”
Sean lets out a yelp, his left arm growing pink.
“My deal’s still on the table, Sean. Words will set you free, darlin’.” I smile softly and run the back of my gloved hand over his cheek.
He mumbles something I can’t understand.
I lean in. “What was that?”
“Ne-New Jersey,” he stutters. “I’m from New Jersey.”
From the corner of my eye, I see Enzo straighten off the wall.
“What are you doing in South Carolina?” he asks.
I cut him a look but wait for Sean’s answer.
Sean’s hyperventilating now, sweat pouring down the sides of his forehead and dripping onto the table beneath him. “You,” he manages to get out. But his eyes are on Enzo. “I was sent to keep an eye onyou.”
Shock spirals through me, and my widened gaze meets Enzo’s narrowed one. I’m not sure why someone is here for him, but having anything or anyone from the Northeast in these parts makes anxiety claw at my insides like a locked-up beast.
