Hunt

He smiled. “You really want to know everything?”

“Who knocked at the door and what did they say to make you look nervous?”

“My brother knocked.”

“The rocker or the donut fucker?”

Grinning, Cain shook his head. “It’s not that Griff wants to fuck donuts. He just likes someone that makes them.”

“Who?”

“A woman named Pandora. She’s actually the reason for my annoyance right now.” He rubbed the shampoo in his hair some more.

I checked the small shelf and picked up a pink bottle. “Why are you tripping over this Pandora?”

“Because she’s here.”

I glanced back at him. “Why?”

“She works for the middle man.”

“The guy who thinks it’s a clever idea to rob the Syndicate?”

“That one.”

Hmmm.

I poured purple liquid into my hand and smelled it. The fragrance of blueberries hit my nostrils. I smeared it on me. “Why is the middle man’s donut maker here?”

“According to Pandora, my middle man is dead.”

I paused from wiping the liquid on me. “What? How did he die?”

“I don’t know.”

“Why don’t you know?” I put the bottle up on the shelf. “What did she tell your brother?”

“That was it. Pandora is refusing to say anything else until I’m downstairs.”

“Why?”

“She’s always been. . .a lot to deal with when I come see Johnny Cupcakes.”

“A lot how?” I stared at him.

“Very flirtatious. Always giving me her number and address. I started bringing Griff around to grab her attention, but it didn’t work.”

Because Griff isn’t you.

He raised his head. Water rinsed the shampoo out of his hair. Bubbles spilled down his massive muscular chest.

I watched, hating how much I was enjoying the view.

Steam rose around us.

When all the soap was gone, he rubbed water off his face, grasped my hips, and pulled me against him. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Unfortunately, you’re sexy.”

“You don’t like that.” He brushed my bottom lip. “Is it stimulating your illness?”

“My illness?”

He encased me in those wet, huge arms. “Your Stockholm Syndrome.”

“Fuck you, Cain.” I rolled my eyes. “So, you’re about to go downstairs and hear the story on why your middle man is dead?”

“That’s the plan.”

“I want to go too.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Why?”

“The Syndicate could have figured out what Johnny Cupcakes was doing and killed him or it could be nothing. However, if they killed him over the job, then they’ll be coming for you.” I touched my chest. “And I’m with you. I should know so that I can protect myself too.”

“So, I should give you a gun also?”

I smiled. “You said it. I didn’t.”

“You’re not getting a gun.”

“But, am I coming downstairs?”

He was silent for a few seconds.

“It’s not a huge ask, Cain.”

He sighed. “If you want to, then yes. My brothers may not be excited about it, but your reasoning is fair. You should know what’s going on. If we’re in danger, then you’re in danger too.”

I raised one finger. “Also, I have another request.”

He wore a tickled expression. “Go ahead.”

“No handcuffs when I go down.”

He frowned. “I’m supposed to trust that you won’t take the first opportunity to run away?”

“I’m not going anywhere today.”

“Today?”

“Exactly.”

“And tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow isn’t here.”

He shook his head. “You’re wearing the handcuffs when you go down.”

“Come on, Cain.” I shook my head and left his arms. “Don’t do me that way.”

“Do you what way?” He tried to grab me back.

I pushed his hands down. “You’re going to put handcuffs on me in front of company?”

He let out a long sigh.

Water continued to rain around us.

I spoke, “And that kind of company too.”

He twisted his face in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“The company is some chick that is into you.”

“Pandora is nobody to me.”

“So what. . .you’re going to parade me in front of some chick like your sex prisoner with no dignity—?”

“Wow.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “It’s not cool. There are rules to this.”

“I didn’t realize there were rules of etiquette to—”

“Well now you know.”

“I won’t lose you again.” His frown deepened. “If you won’t wear handcuffs, then you stay in our bedroom.”

I glared at him. “If I stay up here, then I’m going to be mad.”

“Oh really?”

“And there will be silence.”

He ran his fingers through his wet hair. “You’ll only be able to play the silence treatment card so many times, before I simply decide to make you scream.”

“Is that a threat?”

“I need you to wear the handcuffs, Phoenix.”

“You don’t. You want me to get over my fear of being with you. Then, you need to get over your fear of my leaving you.”

“Not the same thing.”

“It damn sure is.”

“I don’t need this right now, Phoenix. I have a dead friend and possibly the Syndicate on my—”

“Let me help you.” I dropped my hands and held them out to my sides. “One thief to another.”

He let out a long breath. “What if I have a cuff on my wrist and you have one on yours? Therefore, we are both cuffed together and it won’t look—”