Page 29 of Silk and Sirens

“I was just there for a friendly chat.”

“Friendly, he says,” I laughed. “I’ve heard the rumours about you, Caden Ackworth. The Beast’s right-hand man and son of a baron, both influential and powerful. Though I suppose being born into that kind of money helps.”

“Says the daughter of one of the most notorious prosecutors.”

“Not exactly the same kind of power though, is it, Mr Ackworth?”

He glanced at me but didn’t say a word.

“This is feeling a little dramatic,” I said lightly, even as my stomach tightened when we turned down another street. “Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

Great, he was feeling ominous. I was in the car with a notoriously dangerous man, and he had his favourite sledgehammer. Walking away and risking a bullet to the back felt increasingly like the better choice.

“Last chance, sweetheart,” he said as the car slowed as he pulled to the curb. “Why Kent?”

I gave a careless shrug. “Maybe I just didn’t like him.”

Caden frowned, an actual reaction, which was impressive in itself. “You kill everyone you don’t like?”

“Of course not.” I smiled sweetly. “You’re still breathing, aren’t you?”

His upper lip twitched, and I took that as a victory. “Do you always fuck them first?”

I turned in my seat, studying his infuriatingly handsome face in slow detail. “You seem awfully interested in my sex life.”

He leaned closer in the confined space, and my heart betrayed me with a sudden, sharp jump when his fingers caught my chin. His grip wasn’t rough, just firm enough to hold me in place. His brows drew together as he examined me, like I was some puzzle he wanted to solve. “You’re walking a fine line,” he warned quietly, his voice low in the dark.

“Is this about the kiss?” I whispered back, matching his tone. “We both know I needed a distraction. You just happened to be convenient.”

He exhaled, almost a laugh but not quite. “The only reason you’re not dead is because you’re useful.”

He smirked then, revealing a single dimple in his right cheek. But it wasn’t reassuring. It was predatory.

“Don’t mistake that for mercy.”

I ignored the way it sent warmth spiralling low in my stomach. He had no right to look that good while technically threatening me. Unfortunately, my body didn’t seem to care about technicalities.

I should really bring this up with my therapist.

Caden leaned forward, his lips hovering over mine, and I sucked in a breath, only for him to reach past me for the door. Heat flooded my cheeks as I realised exactly what he’d done, using my own tricks against me.

“Get out,” he said so close his voice vibrated the air between us.

“Thanks for the ride,” I said lightly, ensuring not a crack showed in my composure.

Caden didn’t move away. He stayed leaning over me, his gaze locked to mine, steady and unblinking as I opened the door and stepped out.

He’d driven me home.

Which meant he knew where I lived.

Shit.

When he spoke again, his voice was lower, rough around the edges. “Try to stay out of trouble.”

Chapter 14