Bitter Truths (Crimson Falls Duet 2)

“Why are you being like this?” I question, trying to focus on the here and now and not that he knows I was watching him in the shower. “You don’t have to act like a dick all the time.”

He pushes to his feet so quickly, his hand wrapping around my throat in seconds, forcing a squeal of surprise from my lips. “I’m hurt, sweetheart,” he says, his thumb circling my rapid pulse along the column of my neck. “Why would you call me a dick when all I’ve done is be nice to you?”

“Nice?” I spit the word, then laugh as he steals my breath with the tightening of his fingers. “You’re far from nice.” I croak my response as I glare at him, but I don’t give in. I don’t cower when he leans in closer, his mouth at my ear and his scent enveloping me.

“Was I nice when you were watching me jerk off in the shower?” he questions in a whisper, low and feral. “Did it make your little cunt wet when you saw my cock, little one?” His hand blocking any air that my lungs try to pull in, and for a moment, my vision gets blurry when Darius moves away just enough so I can see the satisfaction on his face. “Such a pretty doll,” he coos, and my heartbeat thuds in my ears, echoing loudly as I claw at his hand.

I don’t doubt he knows what he’s doing, but fear overtakes the need to be brave, and I allow my tears to trickle from the corners of my eyes. Slowly, ever so fucking slowly, he eases his hold and I cough as my lungs suddenly fill with much needed air.

“Were you wet?” he asks again. “Because I can smell your sweet juices from here.” There’s confidence in his words. He knows I was. But he enjoys humiliating me by asking the questions.

“Fuck. You.” Is my answer, which earns me a chuckle when he finally releases me. “I’m trying to get to know who you are. To learn how I can help you.”

He turns away, his focus on the window, and for a moment, I wonder if I could tackle him and steal the key. But he’s big. And there is no way I can fight him.

“The only way you can help me is by making sure your daddy pays me the money he owes.” He settles back on the chair, resting one foot over the opposite knee. Those eyes, so familiar yet so strange lock on me. “And when your husband finally wakes up and comes for you, I’ll make sure he knows how much you loved being my little captive.”

“He won’t believe you,” I snap. “He knows I love him and I will not leave him for someone like you.” He flinches at my words, but it’s brief, only a split second of emotion mars his face before his mask returns, firmly in place.

“Someone like me?” he challenges. “That’s interesting. Do you know that Lycan and I have very similar interests?” he asks then as he leans forward, his arms resting on his thighs as he looks me in the eye. “Because there are things you clearly don’t know about my dear younger brother.”

“He doesn’t kill people,” I spit angrily.

“Maybe he doesn’t do it himself, but he has a team of men who work for him. Do you think he just dresses in those expensive suits because he wants to?” This time, Darius is on his feet. “The man I just killed moments ago, the man whose blood you saw on my clothes, was a rapist and a murderer. Would you like me to have saved him?”

My mouth falls open in shock at his confession. I saw the blood, but I didn’t think he really killed someone. I don’t know why, but mostly, I’m shocked he admitted to it. That was something I most definitely wasn’t expecting.

“You… He… Are you serious?” I ask, still unsure of what else to say.

Darius chuckles, the sound reverberating through his chest. “Sweetheart, you’re far too innocent for this world.”

“I’ve seen and heard enough to make sure I don’t believe everyone is good,” I throw back. “But you, I can see goodness inside you, and you can’t deny it.” The challenge is there. The need to have him admit he feels something burns in my veins.

“I do bad things to bad people, it doesn’t make me good,” he bites out as he runs his fingers through his hair. He tugs at the strands, and I slowly move, needing to see the hunter that hides under the façade of a bad boy biker.

I’m on my feet, behind him, my hands trembling as I reach for him. The tension in his shoulders eases slightly as he stands still, allowing me to touch him. “You can’t deny that this feels like something human.”