“I’d be honored, babe.”
“You see that, asshole?” I hiss into my uncle's ear, my finger pulling the trigger but no bullet dislodges. The clip inside has three at the most, and he got lucky this time. “That’s love. That’s the look she’ll wear on her face for the rest of her life.”
“He’s not worthy.”
“And these are your last few minutes on this earth,” I remind him. “I’m considering this a wedding gift to the happy couple after all the trouble you’ve caused with your deceased whore.”
“What?” The gun is pressed so tight to his jugular that it comes out a low garble. “What did you do to Mildred? Where is she?”
“Dead.” Javi looks over and I catch his minute nod of approval. The evil in his eyes, a quick flash that’s gone before Mariah notices the exchange. “The same your friend—the supplier of the black roses—will encounter. Mariah killed Mildred. Javier will end Grant.”
“No. No, she can’t be—”
“By the power vested in me by the state of Illinois, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.” Their lips meet, and I hit my uncle across the forehead with the butt of my Desert Eagle, creating a nasty gash right across the bridge of his nose. And as they kiss, I drag him back toward the stairwell where Carmelo stands guard. He sees the unconscious man and jumps into action, carrying his weight like a sack of potatoes over his shoulder.
“Where to?”
“My home. I’m in the mood to play.”
Outtake #2
“This is unnecessary, Javier.” It’s the eighth time she’s said this since I placed her inside my SUV, adding kidnapping charges to my already long rap sheet. Fuck it. I don’t care and my cock enjoyed the way she pouted at the end of her ridiculous statement.
Now, what’s unnecessary is her notion to fight my every gesture. She’s stubborn. Always on the defense.
You like it, though. And fuck me, I do.
Besides, this complaint falls on the nicer side of her conversational skills at the moment; a monologue I hum to here and there, so she knows I’m listening. And I am...
Each objection.
Each annoyed sigh.
Each curse.
Each motherfucking time she bites her bottom lip in exasperation, I’m left fighting the demonic urge to pull over and take her over the center console. Or part those glossed lips and let her feel the weight of my cock on her tongue.
She has no idea how each provocation heightens my need for her.
How hard I am behind my zipper.
“Time to get this over with,” she whispers under her breath, but I hear it loud and clear and there’s a lilt of anxiety that doesn’t sit right with me. Mariah fidgets a bit in her seat, the just above-the-knee skirt she’s wearing in a soft pink shimmying up her thighs, exposing more flesh. I swallow hard and she sighs. “No time like the present since I wasn’t given a choice.”
Pulling into the parking space closest to the E.R. entrance, I shut off the ignition and turn to look at her. Fully appreciate the vibrancy of her eyes, the high rosy cheeks, and then the curve of her pouty, sensuous lips. “I am your choice.”
“Says who?”
“Me.” I’m attuned to her moods, react to her emotions and right now, the little coquette is fighting back a smile. And yet, there’s a hint of unease there I don’t like. “Are you—”
“Have I ever told you that I despise hospitals and needles?”
“No.” That’s not something I’d forget about. Ever.
“Well, it’s true.” My eyes narrow and hers widen, giving me that phony innocent look all women use to their advantage at some point in their life. “Can I come back another time? I’m not ready.”
Oh, she’s good.
“Whatever you want,” I croon, reaching over to tuck a stray piece of hair that’s fallen from her high ponytail. Then, I begin to play. Tit for tat. Tilting my head to the side, I furrow my brows and frown. “You do look pale. Are you okay, Muñeca?”
I don’t miss the small shiver at the nickname or the way she bites the inside of her cheek. “If I am, it’s because needles squig me out. Just not a fan of being poked and prodded.”
Her lips turn into a small frown and it hits me: she’s serious. Mariah’s uncomfortable and that creates a pang—tightness in my chest—and I rub the spot. “Why didn’t you tell me, sweetheart? I’ll never make you do something you don’t want to do.”
Her shrug is sheepish. “Couldn’t give you more ammo to use against me.”
No sooner has the last word passed through her lips that Mariah jumps down from the SUV, and rushes inside. For a second, I’m lost to her words and the way her answer makes me feel, but I’m hot on her heels the moment that car door slams closed.
A nurse inside the lobby looks up the second we almost run into her desk. I’m breathing hard and Mariah is slightly glaring—we don’t look like the most trustworthy individuals—and the woman merely raises a brow in question.
“I’m here to get my stitches removed.”
“They can wait a day or two,” we speak in unison and the lady continues to just watch us. The expression on the poor nurse’s face would be comical any other day, but the tremble of my muñeca’s hand evaporates any amusement.
She really does hate this. Moreover, I’m the asshole forcing her.
“Babe, we really don’t—”
“Is Samuel available?”
“Who the fuck is—”
“He’s on shift tonight. Let me page him.” The nurse is quick to press a few buttons on her phone, cradling the receiver when the link clicks. “Dr. Pains, are you available for a suture removal? Umm, I don’t…let me ask her.” She makes eye contact with my girl. “Name, ma’am?”
“Mariah Asher.”
“He’ll be right up.” The young woman looks like she ate a lemon, her lips pursing a bit. “Must’ve heard you because he didn’t give me the chance to finish.”
“Thank you. I’ll wait over—”
“What in God’s name are you doing in my E.R., squeaks?” Who the fuck is he calling squeaks and why is Mariah smiling at this clown?
“Need these out.” My muneca holds her palm out, showing the small line of stitches from her accident at the restaurant. The day I came into her life like a frustrating hurricane and she broke a glass, according to Malcolm. He snitched the next day with another threat to treat her right. “Can you help?”
She bats her lashes and my eyes narrow. She leans over a bit and I nearly pick her up, throw her over my shoulder, and march the fuck out.
“Mariah, I think it’s best if we leave,” I grit out and all three heads turn my way. Two wary, while she’s all innocence. And wasn’t she afraid a minute ago? “Trust me on this.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Mariah…”
“Javier…”
“Do you two need a minute?” Dr. Pains asks, his lip twitching. “Or can I take care of my patient?”