Kyler's Justice (Assassins of Gravas Book 3) - N.J. Walters Page 0,16

red hair and beard. The thirty pounds he’d put on in the years she was away added to his already impressive bulk. But the lines had deepened around his eyes and mouth and he moved slower than he had.

Did he have regrets in his life?

Doubtful. He was too set in his ways, too fond of the games he played with people’s lives and money.

She pushed the rack of cooling cookies toward him. “Have one.” Both girls had fallen silent, their gazes downcast. They were no happier to see him than she was.

“I’ll try one.” He stuck one in his mouth and chewed. “Good.” Piling the other nine from the rack into his huge hand and snatching the two from Maggs’s plate, he turned to leave.

That was it? That was all he had to say?

“Where have you been?”

He slowly turned, pinning her with a glare. “Are you questioning me, girl?” There was a time that would have sent her scurrying away. Helldrick had huge fists and wasn’t afraid to use them.

Sera crept to her sister, helped her down from the stool, and took her to the corner of the room.

The devil saw it and was pleased, pleased his children feared him. “People have been wondering where you’ve been.” Best to keep his attention on her.

“What people?” He took a step forward. Memories of past punishments flashed in her brain. Her knees trembled, but she locked them to keep from cowering.

“Regular customers want to know where you are. Your absence has been noticed.”

“It’s none of their business what I do.” He came toward her, his steps measured. “Just as it’s none of yours. You stay in the kitchen and cook. That’s all you’re good for.”

She tilted her chin up, refusing to back down. “And that skill is making this place good money.” It was the one place where he couldn’t strip away the pride she’d built.

His chuckle was pure evil. “Oh, I know how good it is.” He leaned inward, his breath stinking of ale. “Your brother told me what you did.”

She pressed her hand against her stomach. Don’t throw up. Swallowing hard, she didn’t look away.

“Think you’re brave, do you?” His lips were almost touching her ear, he was so close, his breath hot against her skin. She wanted to bolt, but held her ground. Helldrick was a predator, if she ran, he’d chase her down and it would go worse for her.

“The man you drugged had Gravasian tech on him. That’s what your brother wanted. Now most everyone involved in his scheme is dead.”

She swayed, her head spinning. Gravasian? Balthazar was insane. Little was known about the technically advanced, secretive people. Only that you didn’t fuck with them if you wanted to live. Their assassins were feared by all, even Helldrick.

“Count your lucky stars I’m letting you stay here.” He popped another cookie in his mouth and chewed. “I bet they’d pay for information about you.”

The threat was empty and they both knew it. Not only would it lead the Gravasians to Balthazar, who was the only child he had feelings for, but it also would lead them to Helldrick. They’d likely assume father and son were in on the scheme.

“Information is always worth money,” she agreed. That went both ways and the bastard knew it.

His green eyes flashed at the implied threat. He started to turn away, but before she could give a sigh of relief, he spun around and slammed the flat of his hand against her face. Pain exploded in her cheekbone. Knocked off balance, she slammed back into the cooker, her right arm hitting the huge pot of soup simmering there. The skin began to sizzle before she yanked it away. She swallowed her moan of pain. Any sound always set him off.

Don’t fall. If she did, he’d kick her. Nausea churned in her belly. Fire raced down her arm. She pressed it closer to her body to protect it. With her other, she gripped the counter.

“Don’t you dare threaten me, girl.” His nostrils flared. “You might not care about yourself, but I know you care about those two brats.” He jerked his head toward the corner where her sisters were huddled, clinging to each other.

Sera had one hand in her pocket, likely gripping the knife Etta had given her. But it would do little good against him. She stepped in front of them, even knowing it was a mistake to confirm his assumption.

His triumphant laughter spilled around them. “Remember that. I’m the only thing standing