AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"You look more or less intact," Jenkins says, eyes tracking down her body.
I force my muscles to relax. If Jenkins tries to take her, there's little I can do unless I want to jeopardize my identity.
"I prefer to keep them submissive as long as possible, Jenkins. Breaking them in is tedious and exhausting for me," I say, cutting off whatever he was about to say next.
I finally glance at her, running my finger along the strip of skin exposed at her waist. Compared to her other outfits, this one is downright modest. If she bent over, most of her ass would be on display.
"You're a strange man, Cruz."
I nod, then press my hand to the back of her knee. Aelia sinks down, dropping her head and folding her hands in her lap.
"This would be impressive had I not laid the groundwork for you years ago," Jenkins sneers. Aelia's breath hitches, but I don't think Jenkins notices.
"A feat, I'm sure."
"Go back to your desk." Jenkins’s hungry eyes follow her, and I curl my fingers into fists.
"While I don't want to question your decisions..." I start, and his sharp gaze whips to mine.
"Tread carefully, Cruz. You haven't been in the Guild long enough to cross the line you're dancing around."
"Which is exactly my point, Jenkins. Anders has been here for years. Some of your council members as well, and yet you chose me to confide in." I raise my eyebrow, daring him to lie.
"You've met Anders. That man has vengeance at the forefront of his mind. I saw in you the same thing that I was twenty years ago. You can't buy that, son."
I nod, even as confusion runs through me. He waves me away and I push from the chair. It takes everything in me to keep my emotions from my face. Snapping my fingers, I don't slow, and Aelia rushes to my side.
"Cruz," Jenkins calls, and I pivot to face him. "Don't fuck me over. You won't like the consequences."
"Don't threaten me, Jenkins. You'll be sorely disappointed at how I react."
"As long as we understand each other."
"I believe we do."
Aelia shuffles after me, closing the door softly behind us. Her chin is practically resting on her chest, and I grab her wrist. I'd rather she not run into something because she's not watching where she's going. Her arm brushes mine as she hovers close to my back.
"Do you think he'll die?" she whispers.
I glance around at the empty hallway we're walking down before answering.
"I wouldn't be surprised if Merrick is already dead. Your father? Not likely. I imagine he’ll pop back up in a few weeks," I mutter.
A guard turns the corner ahead, nodding to me and sneering at Aelia. I don't understand why they're so openly hostile toward her. Most of the members ignore her presence because she's claimed. The guards are a whole other story.
I push her through the door, tipping my chin at Jag as we pass. He's been disappearing at random intervals, refusing to tell me where he went. He blushed when Aelia asked, then took off again. Whatever he's getting himself into, he’s not fucking us over. I wouldn't be surprised if he found a woman, much the way I did.
"Do you think I could ever kill someone?" Aelia murmurs, sinking onto the edge of the bed.
I sigh, sliding out of my suit. "I know you want me to say yes, but honestly, it's not as easy as you'd think."
"How many people have you...sorry. That's probably not a good question, is it?"
I chuckle, sitting next to her. "I didn't keep count. Not that it's so many I can't, but I grew up hard, Aelia. Dying is a way of life."
She shakes her head, leaning away from me. "You're in the mafia, aren't you?"
"Would it bother you if I was?" A lead weight drops in my stomach at the look on her face.
