Corrupt (Devil's Night, #1)

by Penelope Douglas

And the things that were irreplaceable in life were the only things of value.

No. Our scrapes and bruises, tattoos, scars, smiles, and wrinkles told our stories, and I didn’t want a pristine piece of wallpaper. I wanted her and everything she was.

“Does this mean you’re tapping out?” I inquired with fake concern. “No,” he bit out, storming down the hallway, the muscles in his back flexing. “Game change. New players. There are plenty of other girls here, Rika.” “And there are lots of guys here, too,” I threw back, following him down the stairs. He stopped in the foyer and turned around to look at me, a dare in his eyes. “Is that so?” And then he smiled and twisted his head around, speaking to the crowd. “Listen up!” he shouted to all the guests hanging out. “Rika Fane is Horsemen property. Any guy lays a hand on her has to deal with us!” And then he turned back to me, lowering his voice with a smirk. “Good luck.”

But then his words came back to me, and I paused. Any guy lays a hand on her . . . I fought to hold back my grin.

“How much do you charge?” I asked. She set down the vodka and pinched her eyebrows together. “For what exactly?” “For women.”

“What are you doing?” I was already sweating. Jesus. Rika blinked her eyes up at me, gentle and calm. “Game change. New players,” she repeated my words. “You’re not needed. Sorry.”

“I’ll never say no,” she answered, but then added with a smile in her voice, “As long as you keep me screaming yes.”