Page 71 of Forbidden Eyes
Which is stunning in its own right.
“Diabetic?” I mutter, ripping open another wrapper.
“Right. Of course. You need to keep meals regular, too. I’ve done a little research on it.” My brow cocks. I suppose she would have done. “Which type is it by the way?”
“Irrelevant,” I blurt out. The last thing I want to do is discuss the intricacies of the disease, or how fucking pathetic it can make me. Certainly not in front of someone I’m interested in. She knows; that’s enough as far as I’m concerned. It’s more than any other woman has ever gotten out of me.
I push off the counter and reach back into the fridge, searching for more food. There isn’t enough here to keep me going, or anything with any decent nutritional content. I reach for the phone to call up some room service, tipping the menu at her. “You want anything?”
“God no. I’ll go shower if this is what you’re going to do,” she says, sliding from the stool and picking up her soda. “Actually, yes. Some fries or something.”
I watch her ass walking away from me as the room service voice comes across the line. I don’t even know what I’m ordering as I mumble the order and swipe my brow clean of sweat. I’m too busy checking out fine legs walking away from me, as she lifts the back of the shirt up to throw it at the couch. Toned. Long. And too steady for my liking given the fucking we’ve been into. She should be staggering not walking like she owns the goddamn world.
I end the call and shake my head back to the here and now, reaching for my soda again and smiling. Feels good to smile like this. Don't know why. It's intrigue, I think. Or maybe just the fact that I’ve finally got what I wanted. Stupidly maybe, but who gives a damn? I lick my lips and down some more drink, heading over to the window to look out at the view again before I go get my shot. It’s beautiful in its own way at this time of day. Lights twinkle from the boats out there, hazy, the beach line starting to light up with hanging lines of more decorations. The sea’s turning black as coal, though. Blue turning darker by the minute. I'd find another metaphor in there if I could keep my mind off fucking. I chuckle.
Apparently, I can’t.
My phone rings in my hand, breaking my contemplation of all the shit we’re getting back into the moment I’ve eaten and calmed my body back to normal. Fuck steady legs. Not on my watch. She’s about to find out exactly what being with me is all about, more so than she did yesterday. Another grin breaks across my face at the thought, and then I look at the number on screen. Fuck.
Vico.
Every goddamn thought of fun vanishes from my mind as I look at his name flashing on the screen. Much as I might want to toss the device aside and sink into her for a few more hours without thought, only a fool would ignore him completely. Not only do I not run, I’m no damn fool either. Debatable given who’s in my shower at the moment, I know, but the meeting needs setting up one way or another. I said I’d take whatever was coming for me, and I will.
I hit answer and lift the phone to my ear, waiting.
“I think you have something that belongs to me.” His words are direct, low and menacingly calm. I nod at the window, not able to find a suitable response and unsure if I even need one. “She’s precious to me, Carter. You knew that. Damn well knew it. No one fucks around with me and gets away with it.”
My hackles rear up at the threat, a snarl covering my face as I listen to him walking somewhere. I can almost see him now, see his aggressive features coming for me. I pull in a long breath and stare out at the ocean, my brain coming up with all kinds of metaphors now this shit just became a reality.
“Have you touched her?”
What a fucking question to have to answer. Aggressive. Direct. To the point. Everything that Vico is. Still, no running.
“Yes.”
That’s all I’ve got. I’m not lying, and I’m big enough and strong enough to take the hiding I’m gonna get for it as long as I’m prepared.
“That was unwise.”
Probably. I listen to the sound of the shower in the background, partly agreeing with his statement but still not regretting a goddamn thing, and head for my case in the bedroom. “Never had you down as a stupid fuck before this, Carter.”
A sudden battering on the door has me swinging my head back towards it, phone pinned to my ear. It happens again, and again, until it finally bursts inwards.
“Time’s up for a dead man,” he murmurs across the line.
Three guys storm in, Vico kind of trouble all over their harsh features, and I slide the phone into my back pocket, readying myself for a fight. My eyes flick to the bedroom again, knowing both Fia, my blade and my gun are in there. No fucking chance of getting to either now these fuckers are in my way, unless I barrel my way through them.
“Get dressed,” one of them snaps.
Fuck that. No way am I going anywhere with these cunts. I’m speaking with Vico and no one else. I walk straight up to them, fists tightening if I need them.
“Get the fuck out,” I snarl quietly. “I’ll meet him. No one else. You wanna try something, come back with more than three of you.”
Both the second and third of the three creep around the side of me until I’m surrounded, no way out but battling. Fine by me. I eye them all, standing my ground and waiting. No one’s fucked me up for a long damn time, and I’ll take whatever Vico thinks necessary if I have to, but not from anyone but him. These three dicks will have broken bones the second they try touching me.
The second the cunt behind me reaches for me, I swing and floor him, spinning my body back round to get to either of the others. Too late, apparently, because the hit to my jaw sends me crashing into the side table, my feet just managing to keep me upright. I spin again and right myself, feet starting to bounce now I’ve felt the first strike. My hand waves them both on, eyes flicking to the other who’s slowly pulling himself up from the deck.
“The fuck kinda hit is that?” I spit at all of them, neck cracking out. “That all you’ve got?” That’s nothing to me. Quinn hits harder. Although, the goddamned room won't stop spinning. That's a fucking problem I'm not prepared for.