“Nightingale is a good girl who knows how to do exactly what she’s told.” The praise is a balm and a knife.
This is an act; I shouldn’t enjoy it. Cutter steps up behind me and wraps his hand around my throat. I arch into him, seeking the shelter of his body and warmth to thaw out the ice I’ve become encased in. He’s my shield.
“If I told her to kneel right now, she would.”
“Smoke and mirrors,” Shotgun spits.
“On your knees, little nurse.” Cutter releases me.
I sink to the floor, focusing on the man behind me as I close my eyes. Every exchange they witness counts. He fists his hand in my hair, and I lean back against his legs.
“How far does your control extend, Cutter?” Tank asks. Cutter tugs and I look up at him. He slips his thumb into my mouth, and I suck.
“We’ve shared a special bond for years. Is this that surprising?” Cutter caresses his fingers over my throat, making me shiver.
“We’ll see. I’ll give Nadia a chance to prove her loyalty. But if it fails. You’re the one handling it, Cutter.”
“Understood, Pres.”
“You’re going to take a leave of absence from work to handle your father’s affairs, and we will look into all your personal affairs,” Tank promises.
I nod, lost in the sensual haze that keeps my mind from suffocating on the fear and instability that would paralyze me.
“I understand,” I whisper huskily.
“Jesus, he’s like a snake charmer,” Speedy says with a laugh.
“She stays with you until I say differently,” Tank says.
“Come on, Nightingale. Let’s get you cleaned up and ready to act your part.”
My stomach curdles as I stand. There’s a hurricane blowing in, and I’m standing in the storm’s eye.
***
Cutter
“Let’s go over your story again.” Slick taps the tip of his pen on the yellow legal pad as he grills Nadia. “You get one chance to make a good first impression and solidify your point of view. If you vary from this first telling, shit will slide downhill fast.”
“I understand how this works. I’m not new to this life.” Nadia grips the metal arms of the chair across the table from him. She angled her head down. I can feel the rage and sorrow coming from her like an invisible force field.
“This has to be perfect.”
Her head snaps up, and Slick flinches, startled. “I said I got it. Now ask the damn questions, so I can leave to wash my family’s blood off my person.” Her lip curls up, and she issues a throaty snarl, like a lion cub learning to roar.
“Of course.” Slick sits up straight, respecting her words. It’s easy to forget our gain is her loss.
“Why was your car there?”
“I came by to see my dad. After our visit, I was so tired from working a double shift in the E.R. that I called my,” she glances at me. “friend to come to pick me up.”
“I think we can do better than a friend, Nightingale.”
She grimaces and closes her eyes. “The rest of the Ferals are going to hear this, too.”
“All the more reason to be upfront. You’re mine now.” I refuse to back down. “You’re selling this to them and the cops. This needs to cover both our asses.”
“Because my family doesn’t deserve justice.” Her voice cracks.