Page 39 of Hook

I’m shaking at what I’m seeing - it’s like nothing I’ve ever imagined and yet my thighs are wet with the thought of this evil man using me in here.

Maybe I’m unhinged too.

He moves my hair out of the way and grazes his teeth down the back of my neck. “I thought you’d appreciate this, princess,” he says softly in my ear before kissing my neck. “I’m going to make you come so many times in this room.”

My breath catches as I realize how much pleasure we could experience together in this room if only I allowed myself to let go... A ridiculous notion considering the man stole me from the man I’m meant to marry. Even so, I can’t help the thoughts that run wild in my mind.

14

CILLIAN

Rage infects my blood because the rat has struck again. Tonight, I’ve got my hook on instead of my prosthetic. A sign I’m ready to claim blood. Smyth is pacing the bar area of my club, Neverland.

“How the fuck did this happen?” I growl.

Smyth spins to face me. “Honestly, sir. I don’t know.”

I march toward him and slide the end of my hook through the fabric of his collar, dragging him toward me. “You don’t know?” My nostrils flare. “It’s not fucking good enough.” I release him and swing my hook across a nearby table, sending the bottle scattering to the floor with an almighty crash. “Everyone out!” I shout, my heart pounding erratically in my chest. “We’re fucking shut.”

Despite the fact many patrons in the club are still drinking, no one ignores me. Every single asshole in this part of the club gets to their feet and rushes out of the door, because they know better than to ignore the owner.

Smyth stands before me with his arms crossed over his chest. “Sir, I apologize that it happened, but I wasn’t there. Why are you taking your anger out on me?”

“Why?!” I snap, marching toward him. “Because you.” I point my hook in his direction. “Are my second in command, which means anything that goes fucking wrong is your fault? Got it?”

His jaw clenches in response, and I know that I give him too much flack. Especially when he’s been loyal to me all these years, even when I had to rebuild everything. I pace the floor in an attempt to divert my anger. Otherwise I might lose my cool and interrogate every single man in my employ, making the rat scarper before the detective I’ve employed does his magic.

“Someone is fucking with us,” I say simply. “This many shipments getting hit. There’s someone on the inside feeding information to the Tesoro mafia.” I stop and glare at Smyth. “I’m sure of it.”

Smyth’s brow furrows. “It’s possible. I didn’t want to think it, but you’re right. It can’t be a coincidence.”

I glare at him, wondering if he’s agreeing to shift suspicion away from him or if he really isn’t the one betraying me. My ma doesn’t believe it’s him, but I trust no one.

“And who do you think could be behind it?”

He shrugs. “Your guess is as good as mine, but...” He trails off, and I can tell he wants to say more, but is unsure.

“But what?”

Smyth sighs. “Tim has been a little shifty lately.”

“In what way?” I ask, as Tim isn’t on my list of possible rats that I sent to the detective.

“He hangs around the office a lot, and a couple of times I’ve gone in there and he’s acted off.”

“Off?” I ask.

“A bit shifty is all.”

I bite the inside of my cheek, unsure whether to believe Smyth or not. “I’ll look into it.”

“If you need help, I can—”

“No,” I snap, shaking my head. “This is something I have to do myself.”

I see the flash of hurt in his eyes, no doubt because it dawns on him that I think he might be the rat. “You don’t think I’d—”

“I don’t know what to think, Smyth, but I can only trust myself.”

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