Page 66 of Heat & Deceit
I growl at the pain that erupts over my knuckles, shaking out my hand as Todd drops to the floor with a pain-filled moan. Fuck, that hurt. But it makes me feel better. “Get the fuck out of my office,” I say, shoving him with my foot.
He staggers to his feet. “My keys.”
Turning, I snatch them off the desk and throw them at his chest. The locksmith will be here soon enough, so I don’t worry about taking his key to the office. “Get out.”
“This isn’t over,” he warns.
I lift my eyebrows. “Please, do your worst.”
He flips me off and stumble-runs out of the room. Chuckling, I pull out my phone and dial Javi.
“Yeah?”
“It’s taken care of.”
“How’d he take it?”
“He’s probably going to come for us.”
Javi scoffs. “Let him.”
I hum in agreement and study the office. “Do we really want to keep a boating business? You know I don’t like water.”
“I told you we could do swimming lessons.”
I shake my head. He doesn’t understand. Every time I’m submerged in water, my heart feels like it’s going to give out, and all I can think about is drowning and sinking to the darkest depths of the ocean. It doesn’t matter if I’m in a bathtub or in a pool; that feeling is the same. I wouldn’t be caught dead on a boat, even if I knew how to swim. I prefer my feet on the ground.
“I’m good.”
“Ly?” Javi’s voice is distant, like he pulled the phone away from his ear.
“What is it?” I ask.
“Ly just got home. He’s trashed. Like drunk,drunk.” Javi curses under his breath. “Carmine is here. I’m going to drive her home.”
“Carmine’s there?”
“I think she drove him home.”
Shit. That can’t be good. Who knows what he said or did to her.
“Is she okay?”
“Seems worried.”
Someone has to deal with Ly. The last time he was trashed, things got a little intense.
“I’ll be there soon. Take care of her.”
Eighteen
NOVA
I donottake Lycus’s car home. He probably has no idea what he’s saying, and I’m not taking my chances parking a vehicle like this on the street outside of my apartment. I don’t live in a bad part of town, but it’s a Boxley, and I don’t trust that someone won’t steal it.
The front door remains open. I don’t think Lycus is coming back any time soon. Heaving a breath, I make toward the door, mentally preparing myself for the way the house will undoubtedly smell.
Delicious. Alluring. Mouthwatering.
