I’m no longer hurt by memories of James, but... “Show him to me.” This is an opportunity I can’t pass up. An opportunity for closure.
“I knew I should have kept my mouth closed,” Killian grumbles as the camera pans out. “Curiosity got the better of me.”
We whisk down a darkened street, finally stopping at a pub...going through the door. Dark wood-paneled walls are illuminated by glow rocks that were made to resemble gas lamps. A glass floor offers a view of multiple bedrooms...beds...and the couples writhing on them. I’m about to look away—really—when I spot James. Handsome James, sitting at a table with two other guys. The three are throwing back cold ones and laughing uproariously.
“Her tits were...” One of the boys kisses pinched fingers, as if he’s praising the taste of spaghetti.
The other two guys—James included—nod in agreement.
“I know she’s signed,” my ex-boyfriend says, “but I may arrange a meeting with her, anyway.”
The third guy slaps his arm. “Leave some for the rest of us. I’m still pissed you stole my blonde.”
“What can I say? She likes ’em big.”
Okay. “I’m done,” I snap, and the vision fades.
A thousand different emotions slam through me. The front-runners? Humiliation—such a stupid girl, falling for his act. Incredulity—so desperate for affection I refused to see the truth. Disappointment—people suck. Fury—I let a two-faced lying jerk hold me.
My taste in boys is seriously screwed up.
“I’m sorry.” Killian’s tone is raw with anger and regret. “I’ll be killing him shortly.”
“Don’t bother. I’d rather James be the author of his own destruction.” I roll to my side. “Archer told me about Dior.”
He stiffens as he rolls to his side. Our gazes meet. We’re so close. If he were human, I’d feel the warmth of his breath on my skin.
“Did you steal her to hurt Archer, win her soul, or because you had feelings for her?”
Resignation darkens his features. “I did it to hurt him and to win her soul. Strike at me, and I strike back twice as hard. But...” He reaches out, smooths a lock of hair from my cheek before lying down again. “I check on her occasionally. She used to laugh. She doesn’t anymore.”
Such a tangled web these boys have woven. “There has to be something you can do to help her. Not on Archer’s behalf, but hers. She’s part of your family.”
He runs his tongue over his teeth. “You could make her freedom a condition of your contract.”
Another manipulation. One so high-handed I’m actually shocked he tried it.
“All right. Cuddle time is over. I’m not changing my plan.”
He grabs my wrist to stop me. “Ten—”
I use one of Archer’s moves, swinging my free arm around, slamming my fist into Killian’s jaw. When his head turns from the impact, I punch a second time, where the Shell is most vulnerable: the small control panel behind the ear, marked only by the tattoo of a square.
He goes still, and I know I have one minute, maybe two, before he’s able to move again. “Disrupting the connection,” Archer called it.
I stand, and Killian is only able to track me with his gaze. “This really is goodbye,” I say, raising my chin.
“Afraid not, lass.” His hand shoots out and latches on to my calf, yanking me off my feet. I tumble backward, landing on a mound of pillows. He’s looming over me a second later. “Sign with Myriad.”
“Go to Many Ends. And get off me!”
“Sign!”
“Screw you.” I push him and climb to my feet under my own steam.
Before I’m halfway up, he hooks his foot behind my ankles and pushes me back down. “If you’re not going to do the smart thing and sign, you need to learn to protect yourself.”
“Archer taught me—”
“Don’t care. He isn’t the best. I am.” Killian waves a hand over my prone form, all here’s your proof. “Lesson one. Always strike your opponent while she—or he—is down.”
I glare at him. “Archer said the exact opposite. I’m supposed to help my enemy up and possibly win a lifelong friend.”
“That’s the perfect thing to do. If you want to be stabbed in the back later.”
Maybe. Maybe not. I thought the same thing while living at the asylum. But look at Sloan. At meeting one, we fought. We tried to kill each other. Now we protect each other.
Killian offers me a hand.
I hesitate. “I’ll let you teach me a few tricks, but that’s it. Afterward, I’m gone.”