Page 35 of Desire Him

“You’re just going to kill us anyway!”

“Maybe.” Jim shrugs. “Maybe not.”

Eme doesn’t say anything for several long moments. Val’s heart hammers in her chest. She’s never been so close to death in her life. There are so many things she wants to do. So many things left unsaid and undone.

Jim moves the gun closer until the cold tip is pressed against Val’s temple, and Eme says, “Okay, okay. They don’t know anything more than when you were still part of the pack.”

All their attention turns to the door when someone stands in the doorway. It’s a woman, from the silhouette of her, and Val questions if she will be the next form of torture. Women can be nastier than men.

“What the fuck are you doing here, Sammi?” Jim barks.

This Sammi girl takes in the scene and steps farther inside. Through her tears, Val gets a good look at the short, purple-haired woman. “I could ask you the same question.”

“Always so disobedient,” Jim grumbles. “If you didn’t make me as much money as you do, I’d turn this gun on you for your dirty mouth.”

Bravely, the woman seems unfazed. She crosses her arms, looks between both women, and then returns her gaze to Jim. “I came to talk about supply.”

Apparently, Jim is taken by surprise because he lowers his gun. Val breathes deeply for a moment, but her heart still hammers in her chest. This woman is buying them time, although she probably has no idea she’s doing it. “I gave you some yesterday. What about it?” Jim asks her.

“I’m almost out.”

Jim turns his grin to Val and pats her shoulder with the gun. Val winces with each tap. “See? Always making me money.”

“I think you misunderstand,” Sammi interrupts, and Jim’s grin falls as he looks back at her. “I am almost out. As in, I’m leaving selling wolfcalm.”

“What the fuck do you mean?”

“I mean I want a life outside of drugs. A real life. I can’t have that with what I currently do. I want a pack. I want a mate. I want a family.”

A beat passes where Jim simply stares at her. Then he growls, “Over my dead body.”

“Come on, Jim.” Sammi huffs a laugh. “You’re new here. Surely you know that not all rogues stick around. It’s what we do best. You have to let me go.”

“Or what?” He pauses between both words, grinding them out.

Sammi grins sweetly. “Or you’ll regret it.”