He took the shot.
I want to throw myself into his arms right now. I want to feel them wrapped around me. I want him to kiss me again…oh, shit.
What the hell is going on?
Hot mess doesn’t even begin to describe me right now.
A thin trickle of blood drizzles from the side of his mouth and he wipes it away with his sleeve. I should give him a tissue. Or some ice. Or an apology.
Instead, I just stand there, glowering at him.
“You’re a real piece of work, you know that?”
I purse my lips. “You’re a real asshole for—”
“For what? Caring? Wanting to make sure you’re okay?” he yells.
“Who asked you?” I screech. “I never asked you to care! I can’t believe you’re Nico’s top enforcer! Is this how you deal with the enemy? You talk them to death? Get them to open up and listen to their gripes about the family? Show them how sensitive you are to their issues?”
“Wait, he said I’m his top enforcer?”
I stop pacing and look at him, my eyes wide. “That’s your takeaway?”
He shrugs with a lopsided grin on his face. “It’s a big compliment. He could’ve said it was Max. But let’s be real, Max is a loose cannon. I’m just more level-headed. He likes that.”
My jaw drops, nearly hitting the floor. “Are we really having this conversation right now?”
“Seems so.” He places his hands on my shoulders and leans his head down so that his lips are so close to mine…close enough that I can smell spearmint on his breath, and oh God, I want to taste…
Argh! No! I lost control once. I don’t plan to make it a habit. I swing my arms up and around, knocking his hands off of me. “I asked you to leave.”
“You didn’t ask anything, Kat. Maybe if you had, I would have listened. Instead, you clocked me in the jaw!”
“Because you weren’t listening to me.”
“Wasn’t I?” His eyes narrow. “I was listening. That’s why I’m here right now. I heard everything you said last night. I heard everything you shouted at me just now.”
“Then that should have been enough,” I whisper, my fists tight against my sides.
“It’s not. I know you need something.”
“You don’t know shit,” I hiss.
“I know you attacked those girls in the club last night, but you didn’t tear them to shreds.”
“I didn’t feel like breaking a nail.” I don’t bother to ask how he found out about my little altercation. People who live our lives have eyes and ears everywhere.
And truth be told, I wanted him to find out.
I wanted him to confront me about it.
I wanted to see if someone actually gave a damn about me.
“Bullshit. You walked away for a reason.”
“Maybe because I didn’t think you were worth it.” I turn away from him, trying to slow my racing pulse. But damn, it throbs hard against my neck, and I don’t know if it’s anger or desire that’s making the blood bubble in my veins.
“Was it really about me? Or was it more about you?”