Free Burn: Outlaw Romance (Hotter Than Hell Book 3) by Holly S. Roberts Page B

on her throne. That’s control and you reek of it. So my guess is losing your power makes you angry. Anger makes you want to kill someone.” He leans in and places his elbows on his spread knees. “Is that why you wanted to kill me? I…” he moves even closer, “took away your chance to kill your father.”
    He can’t fucking read me this easily. I don’t think about what I do next. I spit full in his face. I expect him to slap me. He rears back. Anger flashes in his eyes before his expression changes. Very slowly he smiles. Not a small one or with lips tight—an all-out happy smile. He wipes the spit from his cheek and brings the tip of his finger to his lips.
    “You even taste good,” he says with the smile still in place.
    God, fuck, now I’m the one turned on. “You’re fucking crazy,” I reply.
    His eyes crinkle when his smile widens further. “Why did you want to kill me, princess?”
    All I want to do right now is fuck his brains out. “Untie me and I’ll tell you,” I say in a soft whisper.
    He enjoys this game. “I don’t think so. You see,” he looks at my cleavage before lifting his gaze, “I’m in charge and you’ll play by my rules. I’d really hate to bring Red back in here. I think she’s suffered enough, don’t you?”
    I try to fight the spell he’s casting over me with his soft, coaxing voice. If my hands were untied, I would place my fingers inside my pants and get myself off. It would serve him right. I squeeze my legs together and try to relieve the heat that’s growing hotter.
    He’s right, though. I hate not having control. It brings back memories of going from one foster home to another. I need to be thinking about escaping this hellhole. I’m not above using my body to do it. I’ll try sympathy first, though.
    I unclench my teeth and lower my voice. “From as far back as I can remember, I’ve hated Frank Tison and wanted him dead.” Dagger’s smile disappears. “He got my mother addicted to drugs and made her life a living hell. Even after she escaped, she lived in fear that he would find us. She never managed to beat the habit he started.” I look down at my lap and take a slow steady breath so I’m able to continue in the same soft tone. When I look up, the compassion is back in Dagger’s expression and I know I’m getting somewhere. “I’ve had one goal for as long as I can remember. Kill Frank Tison.” I bite out the last sentence.
    “So why me?” Dagger whispers.
    I shrug even though I give him an answer. “So simple really… you took my revenge from me—destroyed everything I’ve lived for. So…” I let it hang before continuing, “what’s one less racist in this world? I don’t think anyone would cry if you died.”
    He leans back suddenly and his expression goes blank. The words hit him hard and I wonder about the secrets he keeps buried. He stands and walks over to the wall and grabs my purse. He rummages inside and removes my phone. He looks at the call history. One number, three phone calls. Doesn’t surprise me that he checks.
    I lick my dry lips. Dagger misses nothing. He grabs the water bottle from the floor and tips it to my lips so I can drink. “Thank you,” I mutter.
    He gathers up the items in the room—my purse, phone, travel bag, and bloody shirt. He doesn’t look at me when he walks to the door. “Some major shit will go down because of you and Red. I’ll have one of the men check on you.” Without untying me, he closes the door. I hear the sound of a key and know I’m locked in.
    What the hell did I expect? They’ll kill me soon. I don’t feel sorry for myself. Relief maybe. I brought this shit down and now it’s time to pay up. I close my eyes and try to relax. Maybe this would be a good time to start meditating. Years ago, a therapist provided by social services recommended it. I laughed at her while I screamed inside.
    My life has been one long, silent, scream.

 
    Dax
    I SHOULDN’T FUCKING CARE . She’s no