Page 28 of The Eraser

Six months ago, I fucked up. I saw her outside the bar and I lost my shit. She was gorgeous, even more so than she normally is, and she was alone. I was beyond pissed. I couldn't believe how careless she was with her own life. Of course, I made things worse by killing that cunt, Jarlath O'Leary, in front of her and her friend. I hadn't intended on doing that, but the moment he touched her, I lost my ever-loving shit. I couldn't hold back.

It doesn’t take us long to get to the Grace mansion. It’s not changed at all since Patricia died. The only thing that’s different is there are no bright flowers in the garden. Patty would always have bright flowers. She’d say it made her happy seeing them.

When we walk into the Grace mansion, all eyes are on us. There's whispers and murmurs as I walk past. They're not talking about me or Freddie. No, they're talking about how Thomas Grace has lost his fucking mind. That Jerry will kill him. I'm intrigued. Thomas Grace is a piece of shit and I'd love nothing more than to end his fucking miserable life. But I won't. He's her father. She'd hate me if I offed the fucker.

The mood of the room changes and I glance around, and my gaze collides with hers. Fuck. She was beautiful at fourteen, but at eighteen she's fucking phenomenal. A knockout. Every man in this room has his eyes on her, and I want to tear each and every one of them to shreds. Over the past six months, she's lost weight—weight she doesn't need to lose. I know it's down to that fucked-up night and what went down.

My eyes narrow as I take in her appearance. She's in a figure-hugging dress that makes me want to strip her out of it and take her right here, right now, fuck anyone that would be watching. But what has my blood pumping and my hands twitching, itching to wrap around someone’s neck and twist until the fucker dies, is the cut to her lip. Someone put their hands on her.

They'll die for that.

She's good. She keeps my gaze, never lowering hers. She's showing me that she's not scared.

Oh, Little Dancer, the time is coming. Soon you’ll be mine.

The longer she holds my gaze, the more I want her. I'm still in bloodlust, and now with her here, it's almost too much. But not yet. I'm not taking her just yet. She's still got some time. Just a little. I incline my head, giving her a small nod, letting her know that I know she thinks she's won, but she hasn't. With me, there's no such thing.

I'm going to enjoy claiming her.

The thought alone has my dick straining against the zipper of my trousers.

She has a knowing look, but I also see confusion mixed with lust in her eyes.

Little Dancer, I'm so going to enjoy you.

I wink at her, letting her know the game is on. It's a matter of time before I move into checkmate.

"Fuck," Freddie hisses, and I glance at him with a raised brow. "I've been working the room while you and Jess eye-fucked each other."

"Piss off," I grunt.

"I'll give you two guesses as to who put their hands on Jess..." he says through clenched teeth.

"Tell me," I demand. I'm in no fucking mood to listen to this shit.

"Thomas," he snarls. "The chatter we heard walking in?" I nod. "It's because Thomas backhanded her in front of the entire fucking room. Jerry's on the warpath."

I'm moving before he's even finished talking to me. Jessica hasn't taken her eyes off of me, and they widen when I approach her. "Excuse us," I tell her friend, who's looking at me like she wants to protest. I give her a cold stare, which has her retreating. I get it; she's seen me kill a man with my bare hands. But I won't fucking hurt Jessica.

"That was rude," Jessica snaps, her eyes alight with anger. Fucking finally. At least she's talking to me. She hasn't said a single word to me since that night. Not to mention, she's not spoken to Maverick either. Her cousin keeps me updated. He checks in on her every other day.

"Didn't anyone tell you not to poke a sleeping bear?" I ask with a twisted smile. She should know better than to prod at me.

She rolls her eyes. "A bear... Really? You're comparing yourself to a bear?"

Damn but she's gutsy. I like that. She’s always been this way. She’s never feared me.

"No, I'm a fucking monster. I'm your worst nightmare."

Her gaze darts around the room, and I wonder who she’s looking out for. "I know," she says quietly.

"I'm not going to hurt you."Yet."I want to know something, and Jessica, I expect an honest answer. Lie to me and I'll know, and it won't be pretty for you."

She nods. "What do you want to know?" She's a feisty thing, giving as good as she gets. Her hands are clenched, as are her teeth, but her body shivers when I get close, her nipples pebbling underneath that dress.

She wants me and yet she hates me.

Perfect. It's just how I want her.