Breathe

by N. M. Catalano

  “I’ll be with you in a minute,” Hawk comments casually.

  “Take your time. I’m enjoying watching you and Raven,” one of Hawk’s eyebrows quirks up as a smirk plays on his lips.

  They know each other?!

  “A gift for a gift, Ms. Winters,” he whispers.

  Goddamn it!

  Snake just gave Hawk my first name.

  “You’re acquainted with Ms. Winters I take it?” he asks Snake as he continues to stare at me.

  Can shit get any worse?

  “Not as well as I’d like to be, apparently not as well as you,” Snake’s voice gets closer.

  Hawk is wearing a sneer on his cold, handsome face. “Imagine that, she knows us both.”

  “Indeed,” Snake comments icily.

  Snake is now leaning against the table at my side, close, very close. Hawk is still in the same position with his knee practically pressed into my chest and his arms crossed over his raised thigh.

  “Care to tell us how this came to be, Raven?” Hawk says my name with as much sarcasm as he can.

  First, I’m not surprised at all that I’m stuck in a situation where I could quite possibly find no way out of. It's not the first time, and certainly won't be my last. Second, I have a feeling this, something I think is between them, is a hell of a lot more than I can ever imagine. Third, and maybe the most important item, these two men are apparently very well affiliated. Men I do believe I would not want to have as an enemy individually, to say the least together.

  I have to pull my head back to glance at Snake because Hawk still hasn’t given me absolutely any room.

  Looking right into Snake’s face, “You’re kidding me, right?”

  “Not at all, Ms. Winters,” Snake drawls. Asshole! “Please continue.”

  Snake’s words and tone might be cool, calm, and collected, but his expression is the face of the cold bastard I saw earlier. It’s beyond deadly, it’s an invitation to tempt the beast inside him.

  “Look boys,” I begin. I’m furious now. I don’t know what they’re accusing me of, but whatever the fuck it us, it’s some serious shit, something that is way beyond my job description. “Whatever you two think, you’re wrong.” I try to push Hawk’s leg out of the way. The bastard doesn’t budge.

  “Fine. Then tell us what you’re doing here.” Hawk asks again.

  “I’m listening, angel,” Snake adds. Dick!

  I huff out a frustrated breath. “Before we were interrupted, I was going to say I’m meeting a friend here. That’s it. Nothing more, nothing less. Now would you please move so I can get up?”

  Snake crosses one ankle over the other as if he’s got all the time in the world, then he reaches into the pocket of those fucking jeans that showcases his perfect ass and pulls out a switchblade. My entire body goes into attack mode as instinct kicks in and I lift my leg to reach into my boot. Before I can get my blade pulled, Hawk’s got both my arms pinned and his knee is crushing my ribcage over my heart.

  “I don’t think you’d like to find out what would happen if you do that again, do you, Ms. Winters? Capisce?” he whispers darkly.

  I’m teetering on going bat-shit crazy, and having a damn meltdown from being restrained. “Got it,” I grit out tightly.

  “You wouldn’t want us to take your toys away from you, would you now, angel?” Snake asks as he runs the tip of his blade beneath his fingernails.

  “No,” I hiss.

  “I didn’t think so,” he snaps the blade shut and slips it back into his pocket. “Now, why don’t you tell us who your friend is, then we can all go on with our evening?” Back is the bad boy with the cocky pretty boy smile. Mr. Hyde has left the building.

  Fuckfuckfuck!

  “Fine,” I grit out tightly. “Just leave him the fuck alone. Whatever insane thing you two believe I'm here for has nothing to do with him. I don’t need you two to ruin things for me. Deal?” I glare at each man.

  Snake shrugs. Hawk shakes his head once no.

  “Depends, angel,” Snake comments dryly.

  “It has nothing to do with any of you. This is all me, believe me.”

  "I already told you, I don't believe shit that comes out of your mouth," Hawk states quietly.

  “Who?” Snake eyes me intently.

  I let out a heavy breath as I try to fill my lungs and push past the boulder that is Hawk’s knee still embedded into my chest. I don't have any choice but to tell them. Right now is not the time to con. The thing is, the con is my way of life, the line irrevocably blurred, I'm not sure I can see it anymore.

  “Batman.”

  I hate giving up my anonymity and letting anyone become aware of my dealings. It leaves me vulnerable, something I cannot afford.

  Neither man says anything for a long moment. They don’t move, they don’t even share a fucking look, communicating in that silent secret language people do. This leads me to believe they’re not close like Rock and Snake are, although they know each other.

  That’s gives me a small sense of relief. Very small.

  Apparently my answer is the magic word. It looks like they’re going to let me pass Go, maybe even give me a Get-Out-Of-Jail-Free card. Lucky fucking me.

  “Angel,” Snake holds out his hand for me as Hawk straightens and lowers his leg. “I think I owe you a drink. Shall we?”

  As much as I hate to admit it, that’s exactly the reason I came downstairs, all other bullshit aside. Not to watch for anyone who might be looking for me, not Joey The Batman. I came down to see if he was here. I can try to tell myself it was specifically to see what him and his friends are all about. That’s true as well, it's always business as usual, but I was accepting his invitation. Why the fuck I did, I have no clue.

  Hawk is back to his silent, stoic, overbearing self.

  I take Snake’s hand as I stand, but my eyes remain fixed to Hawk’s, and his to mine.

  “Rock’s been waiting to hear from you,” the statement is obviously not meant for me.

  That’s fine. I’ve had about as much of Hawk right now as I care to.

  As I step around him, our eyes still latched onto each other’s, “It’s been a pleasure to see you, Hawk. Let’s not do this again, don’t you agree?” I tell him in my most mocking and sweetest voice.

  He grins, not a sneer or a snarl, but actually smiles. I catch Snake’s expression out of the corner of my eye. I can tell he’s pleasantly surprised.

  I have to say, it seems I've apparently accomplished the somewhat impossible. I’ve made the big and bad Hawk smile.

  “Let’s go, angel, we’ve got some catching up to do,” Snake leads me from the large empty room.

  “Does that go both ways?” I ask Snake demurely and full of fake sweetness.

  He laughs. It’s that same damn laugh that hit me right in the gut earlier, taking me completely off guard. He goes from the dangerous creature he is to this disarmingly charming man, then just as quickly to the fatally lethal weapon I've glimpsed twice. Like a snake.

  “Angel, I have a feeling you and I are going to go so many different ways.”

  That laugh, that thought, this whole situation...yeah, it looks like things are about to change.

  CHAPTER 10

  Snake

  Well, well, well, my little bird is full of surprises, isn't she?

  Raven's dangerous in so many ways, and I've only just scratched the surface, I haven't even stroked her soft black feathers yet. Knowing her, they’re probably poisonous. It's more than likely a self-destructive game allowing this bird to land anywhere near me. But why the hell not? It's already a fucking minefield, I might as well add some color to it. Black is looking pretty sweet.

  This little bird's song is not sweet. Sure, it's sounds like a prayer slipping past her lips, even a damn death sentence would make your dick hard coming from her mouth. But Hawk was right, I can't believe a fucking thing she says. I have no doubt she's got her reasons, a lifetime of circumstances I know nothing about, that created the pri
ncess of evil at my side. My instincts tell me she was telling the truth about Batman, and why the fuck she would have any business with that ginny hitman has my mind racing with so many reasons, none of them pretty. The sick little prick gets paid to pulverize a human being into a mound of bloody flesh and a pile of smashed bones. That's fucking sick.

  Her connection with him explains the two rooms booked under the same name. Batman must have gotten her a reservation under his name, which is why we couldn't find her in the hotel database. Clever little bird.

  Her list of friends is like a hit parade of America's Most Lethal, Hawk being number one.

  Birds of a feather. That shit is funny, got to admit it.

  What the fuck is her deal with Hawk?

  As I lead my little princess of doom toward the bar, I glance down at her profile. Her chin is lifted in both defiance and pride. Good for you, angel. You are the most beautiful little devil I've ever laid eyes on. That's your best weapon. It's no walk in the park having both Hawk and I together promising we'd crush you like a butterfly. Raven stared us both in the eye, angry and strong, and dared us to give it our best shot. The broad's either got a huge set of balls, is incredibly dangerous, or is just fucking stupid. And she's not stupid, so that only leaves two options. Which makes her affiliation with Hawk complete sense. Because Hawk, that dude has got some wicked skills.

  But him with her? Not so much.

  The guy was going to crush her heart with his knee, for fucks sake! He's always worked alone, that's his MO. What the hell was he doing with her? My bet is Hawk will give me a more honest answer than she will, even if he doesn't say a damn thing, which he probably won't. But Raven, every word she'd tell me I'm sure would be a lie.

  I pull out a chair for her at a table in the corner, far enough away from everyone else so we'll have some privacy. Her eyes never leave mine as she lowers her pretty little ass into the seat. Her pink pouty full lips curve into a seductive grin. "I'll have a Jim Beam on the rocks. Double please."

  I grin back at her. "Somebody doesn't play around."

  Raven’s smile smoothly goes from seductive to evil. "Playing's for pussies."

  "Really," I lean in close with my hands on the table, the smirk never leaving my face. "You're playing with me right now. You have been the whole time. This whole fucking thing is a game, angel, and you're a fucking master. Make no mistake, we're not your usual players, and this," I bring my mouth to her ear, "is not a game you're used to. I promise you, it's so much more." I run my nose along her hair right over her ear. And inhale. Her scent is a drug, lavender and vanilla and her. She should smell like fire and brimstone. It's strong and enveloping and makes my mouth water. Her breathing accelerates. Good. "Are you sure you want to play with us, my little she devil? Tell me now." I pull back only enough to stare into her eyes and wait for her answer. They're gorgeous, green and tawny with golden specks. The dangerous eyes of Medusa. She's on lockdown, her jaw is tense, her nostrils are flared as she breathes heavily in and out. It's hard to read her, her expression is blank, but there's a glimmer of turmoil. But when she licks her lips, I know it's fucking on. She nods, it's slight and slow, but it's there, her answer. She said yes. I bring my mouth back to her ear, "Let the games begin, you sweet dark angel," I whisper roughly before I pull the lobe of her ear between my teeth and press down. She sucks in a heavy breath but her lids dip.

  She liked it. A lot.

  Damn right. She's going to like it even more. Until she either breaks or bends.

  I straighten and give her a wink before I head to the bar to get our drinks. Seltzer for me, because technically I'm working, Jim Beam double for my evil bird. With the drinks in hand, I have to check myself to stay in control. All this shit going on, the contract on us, the threat to Summer, fucking Hawk, and now this wild card thrown in my lap, all of it could blow up in my face at any moment. Honestly, I'm expecting it to. Looking at Raven as I approach our table, she is torture and sin in fishnets and stilettos, all I want to do is take her back to our room so all of us can devour her together. I want to watch Rock fuck her deviant pussy while Summer sucks on that sensitive fucking clit of hers. I want to punish her for every lie she's going to tell me, because I know that's all she's capable of, and every single one she's already uttered. I want to look into her eyes as she screams for forgiveness, and I want to choke her with my cock until she begs me for redemption.

  The twisted part of me wants to keep her as a prisoner until she turns into my slave.

  I'm such a sick fuck.

  Mostly what this angel demon needs is someone she can trust. I don’t know the shit that created this perfect creation of dangerous beauty, but it was enough to harden her heart.

  I set the drinks on the table and take a seat across from her so I can watch her, and she has to see me. Right in her face.

  "Seems like you and me are going to be buddies now, angel." I raise my glass in a toast. "Let's celebrate."

  She quirks an eyebrow at me and half grins, not touching her drink. "Are you so sure you want to do that?"

  "It's already done."

  Her smirk is gone, replaced by a thin angry line. "Nothing gets done with me unless I want it to."

  Still holding my glass, I reply, "It was all you. You showed up. When that happened, the deal was done."

  She's getting royally pissed off. I can't stop my smirk. Now she scowls. I fucking laugh.

  "You think you've got me all figured out, don't you? You think you know me." She slaps her hands on the table and leans in closer. The fallen angel has a temper. I get a whiff of her scent again and I want to growl. My eyes narrow at her and a sly grin tugs at my lips. She continues, "Hawk gave me a warning. Let me give you one: your first mistake is thinking you know me. You're second mistake will be believing it." A self-satisfied grin slowly turns up the corners of her mouth. She picks up her drink and clinks it to mine. "Cheers." She sips her drink with a smug smile.

  I nod once in agreement. "You see angel," I take a drink of my soda and set the glass down on the table. "I already knew that."

  Her eyes narrow at me again. She doesn’t like not having the upper hand, getting the last word. Being in control. Get used to it, sweetheart.

  “Here’s a little secret, big boy…”

  I grin at her. “Big boy, huh? You’re being presumptuous, but in this case, I can assure you that you are correct.”

  Her face flushes a deep shade of pink. It’s adorable as fuck. This little hellcat blushes, and I want to make her do it all the time.

  Whoa, slow down cowboy, remember the mission.

  Right.

  And Summer and Rock.

  I get angry all over again remembering how I left them earlier. It sucked, but it had to be done. That was only the beginning. We're on a mission, I've got to do whatever needs to be done to prepare for any outcome. Even one without me.

  Her dainty hand curls around the glass of golden liquid, her fingers trace along its side covered in moisture. “Snake, let's make a truce. At least for the rest of the night, okay? How about you not acting like an arrogant asshole, and I promise not to slit your throat?” She raises her eyes to mine with a look of innocence. “Deal?”

  I laugh. She’s one evil, crazy ass broad, but I fucking like her. A lot. Her brand of craziness does something to me. It’s real and it’s raw, it tells the truth in her own warped way. This is her, no filters, no bullshit, no sugar-coating. Most people would smile in your face while they thought about choking the shit out of you. Raven, she’ll gut you and maybe even tell you why while she did it. It makes me feel like I can be myself. Two crazy mother fuckers just enjoying the ride.

  I relax and lay my arm across the back of the chair next to me. I can tell that small action of mine allows her to let one of her guards down as her body visibly untightens. She’s still wound up. I can’t blame her. Hawk and I just had her cornered, and not in the way I’d prefer.

  My mind instantly fills with images of me, Rock, and Summer and this
hellion fucking. It’s violent and angry and demanding and destructive. And hot as hell. My dick is hard but I don’t let my arousal show in my expression.

  I want her to trust me. Something virtually impossible I’m sure. I’m not going to accomplish that if she knows what’s going on in my head, both of them, although I’m sure she knows. The woman is sex in a loaded gun, and I want her to blow my fucking brains out.

  If I want to find out all of her secrets, I have to be patient.

  Besides, who knows how much time I’ve got before someone makes a move, tries for the hit we're sure is coming. Nothing's going to stop me from being the first one, the only one, between them and us.

  Raven is a new complication. If whoever has been contracted thinks she has any significance to any of us, she’s a target as well. Her sitting with me right now might just have put her on their radar. Like the boys said, they know the best way to get to you is by taking what is yours. Raven cannot be misconstrued that way.

  I have to make sure if anyone’s watching, no danger can come to her.

  The fact Summer wants to be pals is not going to make that easy.

  That is if Raven's not one of them looking to off us. Which is another very convenient reason to keep her close so I can watch her.

  Raven, will she be hitman or victim? I prefer to imagine her becoming a sex toy with me, Rock and Summer. I can dream, can't I? I'm not dead yet.

  “Deal,” I raise my glass again. “So what’s a girl like you doing in a place like this?”

  She chuckles. It’s a fucking melody, innocent and pure, another facet to this demon angel, and it hits me inside like a goddamn sledgehammer. THAT’S her underneath all of the bullshit, beneath the stone hard exterior, the mistrust and violence, everything this world has corrupted her with. I want to hear it over and over.

  Fuck!

  One simple, offhanded question and I threw open the door to who she is and got a glimpse of what she’s hiding. Her, all soft and feminine.