“Why wouldn’t I? I’ve completed a job, so I’m feeling good.” Then he decided to test her reaction to the news Boss gave him. “Just so you know, someone went to the cops saying you didn’t make it into work.”
He watched as she froze, her gaze panicked as she looked at him.
“Do you want some decent food?” He had no intention of killing her. Boss wouldn’t let him get away with it, though. There was no way she would ever be able to rid herself of the mark on her head. Boss would kill her to make sure nothing came back to him as leader of Killer of Kings.
“I would love some food.”
He watched the acceptance of her situation take over. She was worried, her mind working a mile a minute.
She tucked some hair behind her ear. “I’ll eat anything. I’m pretty easygoing. I love spicy food, sweet and sour, stuff like that.”
Bain touched her hand, and she pulled back. “You don’t have to be afraid.”
“I’m not an idiot, Bain. I know what this means. Just don’t kill my friend, okay? With me out of the picture, she may just keep her job.”
Bain gritted his teeth. “Do you trust me?”
She tilted her head to the side and shrugged. “I don’t really know you.”
He tapped his fingers on the edge of the counter. This wasn’t right. He didn’t want her like this. He had to show her how he felt in the only way he knew how. Grabbing a knife from the set on the far wall, he slit his palm open, then he took her hand, and gave it a similar small nick. He’d done this many years ago with Viper. To him, this was the most sacred oath he’d ever given.
“What the hell are you doing?” she asked, trying to tug her hand away. He waited for her to calm, then carefully matched their scars together, watching for her reaction.
“We’re blood now, Scarlett. I won’t let anything happen to you. While you’re with me, you’ll be safe, do you understand?”
“I know you’re crazy.”
“I haven’t shared any of my shit with anyone. You’re the first woman I’ve trusted, and this is not something I take lightly. You need to listen to what I’m telling you, Scarlett.” He held her hand firmly in his grip. “When you have nothing to your fucking name, and all you’ve got to share is blood, it matters. I’ve only ever done this once, and I’ll never do it again. Do you understand?”
She nodded, and tears once again glistened in her eyes.
Just once, he didn’t want to make her cry. Was that really too much to ask?
Chapter Five
She should be completely freaked out. A stranger had mingled their blood together, which would normally terrify her because of all the contagious diseases out there. She’d even prepared news reports on tainted blood, and some of the outcomes were horrifying.
But instead of being scared, or even upset, she felt uniquely special. All her life, she’d wanted to belong to someone, to feel loved and wanted. As crazy as it seemed, Bain had offered her a piece of himself and an odd promise—to not kill her. She’d take it for now, but deep down, she hoped for a lot more. The rules of right and wrong had gone out the window once the bullets started flying at Semenov’s. Her world had tilted off its axis ever since Bain had been thrust into her life. There was no going back.
“You know what, I don’t want to see you like this. No more tears. Come on,” Bain said.
Scarlett narrowed her eyes as he led her to the front door, unsure of what to expect. She watched as he entered the code: 24926 for the exit alarm system.
“Where you taking me?” She followed him to that same black BMW in the garage. A little piece of her was terrified he’d set her free, return her to her previous reality. Maybe a big piece. This hulk of a man was broken on the inside and breathtaking on the outside. The fact he thought she was beautiful already put him high above her previous boyf
riends. And he hadn’t hurt her. Bain was a murderer, savage and ruthless, yet he’d barely put his hands on her. She kept expecting for it to come—a slap, a punch, an ugly insult. Now she was actually starting to trust him, and ever since last night and the kiss to end all kisses, she wanted him in unspeakable ways.
“You need something proper to wear, and we need food.” He opened the passenger door for her. “So we’re taking a quick drive into the town.”
She frowned. “No trunk?” It had been the only way she’d traveled with Bain, cramped in the tight, dark space. It seemed foreign to be offered a normal seat in the car.
“Don’t tempt me.”
The leather seats were soft and warm against her thighs. She put on her seatbelt and watched as Bain started up the vehicle, the blue dashboard lights flicking on. He cleaned up nicely. He still had on the full suit he’d worn to kill that pedophile, his biceps bulging as he reached for the steering wheel. She wasn’t sure who was worse, Bain for murdering that man or her for being glad it happened. Scarlett realized she would have failed miserably as a field reporter. There was no way she could remain impartial when one person was being victimized. Her skills were in research and intel. She almost envied Bain’s lifestyle. He was judge and jury with no fear holding him back from bringing justice to the bad guys. Then again, maybe he’d kill any person if he was paid enough.
“You said you won’t kill me,” she stated.
“Yeah.”