Page 14 of Hostile Rival
I stub out the cigarette and stand, ignoring my empty stomach growl. “Well…” Throwing the blanket over my forearm, I look over at him. “I can have whatever the fuck I want in this life.” My expression goes blank. “You name it, I can get it. Over time, it’s become dull as fuck. For now, I get a kick out of killing assholes. And in my family, there’s a world full of them. All waiting to fuck us over. What’s the point in abiding by the law when we have the money and influence to pay off judges, juries, and ninety percent of the police force?” I shrug, the truth laid out on the table. “We aren’t that different, Scorpion. And for the record...” I draw back my shoulders, then stretch my neck fromside to side, easing the tension. “Dragon sees everything. He doesn’t need my help. You know that.”
He nods and glances at the couch. “If you’re planning to sleep in here permanently, I’d happily share a room with Dani instead.”
My chest tightens. “It was a one off. I couldn’t sleep and didn’t want to keep her awake.”
“How thoughtful.” He smirks, flicking ash. “The stunner has one hell of a right hook. I wouldn’t want to piss her off. Although, I’m thinking she needs to let loose every once in a while, right?”
My hackles rise. I’ve got no right to feel jealousy. She’s not mine. “Yeah, I’m sure she's a wild little thing,” I state flatly, turning away.
I know a good-looking guy when I see one. On paper, Hunter is a better choice for Dani. Not only are they closer in age and in the same profession, but he’s also fit too. And to top it off, the guy isn’t a Souza. But the thought of her wanting him—or Hunter touching Dani––boils my blood.
“Good luck with that, Scorpion.”
I throw him a fake smile and head to the bedroom, stupidly buzzed at the thought of bumping into Dani again. Half hoping to catch her dressing or cleaning weapons, or whatever the fuck a badass bitch does in the morning. Instead, I walk in to find her side of the room tidy, and the bed made. My clothes from last night had been dumped on my bed and my gun sits next to the heap.
To the right, near the adjoining bathroom, a basin of muddy red water sits on the floor. It’s tucked against the wall, a sponge floating on the surface.
Wonderful.
I palm my face, groaning. The woman had cleaned up my blood and left early to avoid me. Now that’s another thing she’sgoing to hold against me. Not that I give a fuck what she thinks. But I won’t have her telling tales to our commander.
I don’t need the cocky bitch thinking she could get one over on me or discredit my efforts. Dragon is my brother, but his final word is gospel. If he doesn’t think I fit the profile, then he’d extract me from the villa before nightfall.
Lifting the basin, I carry it to the bathroom and pour the dirty water down the toilet, flushing it away.
When I look up, I catch my reflection in the mirror. The skin under my eyes is darker today and the longer lengths of hair on top of my sore head are all over the place. However, it’s not unusual to see myself looking burned out.
Extended weekends of non-stop partying used to take its toll. Although I generally bounced back after a line of cocaine and a bite to eat. I guess I'd have to find another vice to help reboot my energy levels.
This is, however, the first morning I’ve faced the mirror with cute little stitches, hand-sewn by a pretty brunette, and an unsatisfied hunger in my belly. It’s a hankering for something I can’t have.
Her.
It doesn’t take long before I’m buck naked, my wound covered with a jumbo waterproof dressing, and I'm in the shower. The hot water sluicing over my shoulders feels good. Yet when I start washing my hair, the herbal shampoo undertones remind me of yesterday. I can’t help imagining Dani’s sexy body slammed up against the wet tiles while I rail her from behind.
My dick’s undergone a serious transformation in the past twenty-four hours, becoming torturously hard and throbbing every time I think about her. Christ, I literally have to visualize her pretty face and the damn thing revs up like a MTT superbike.
Thankfully, she's given me space to pull my head out of my ass. I leave the shower cubicle and roughly dry myself, then wrapa bath sheet around my hips. Back in the bedroom, I notice the glass door leading to the terrace is slightly ajar.
Padding barefoot to my messy bed, I grab the suppressed firearm and stalk closer to the sea view, not sure if this is a test my brother had set up or something The Covenant arranged. Fuck knows what lengths the group would go to prove they’re better than me.
Careful not to make a noise, I ever so slightly push the door open and peer through the gap. Immediately, my heart rate accelerates and an electric charge surges through my veins.
I’ve never had a reaction like this in my life. The hairs on my scalp lift and a dark desire burns from my head to my toes.
On the terrace, wearing tight black sports leggings and a skimpy yoga bra, is my rival––leaning over in some bendy position that shows off her whole ass. I say nothing, just standing there with an aching boner. As her body moves, I instantly want to grab her ponytail and fuck her while she poses, hard and brutal.
Her ass. My dick. Those leggings torn to shreds.
How the hell am I meant to resist this woman?
7
DANIELA
I sense him quietly staring at me from across the terrace. Any normal girl would stop her morning Pilates routine, turn around, and smile at him, all flirty and sweet. However, I’m none of those things.
Anyway, I don’t like how my defenses appear to crumble a little bit each time he looks my way. How those deep brown eyes of his reach inside the darkness and expose the woman I used to be. Or the way he somehow sees her.
