Filthy Rich Fae

Chapter Nine

Neither of us spoke as we made our way through the deserted corridors, the sound of our footsteps on the stone floors echoing the ominous beat of my own heart. Lit sconces cast long shadows that stretched and shifted with each step.

My brain teemed in the emptiness, as if my mind needed to fill the stillness. I had to kill Gage.

I swallowed the bile rising in the back of my throat. I was a nurse. I saved lives. But death was the only way to break the bargain, and he’d intentionally misled me to trap me. Probably to “gift” me to someone for more power.

All the reasons to take his life were right in front of me. But spending time with him, even when he was insufferable for half of it, had forced me to see a tiny glimpse of the man behind the monster. I would be ending them both. But what other choice did I have?

As we reached my doors, I opened them and waited for him to follow me inside. A quick glance at the clock on the mantel told me it was already past three in the morning. Only a few hours until sunrise. I turned to find him stopped on the threshold, the warm light of the hallway silhouetting his body. He had practically walked into my trap. Now it would be easier than I thought to get his gun. Everyone else was at the party, getting wasted.

I opened my mouth to invite him in, my decision made.

But before I could, he spoke, his face half obscured by shadows. “Earlier. When Bain told you about Martin…”

His words halted my rising determination. I didn’t want to talk about this. Especially not with him. Instantly, I was numb. I wished I had shut the door as I retreated a step into the bedroom.

Gage planted a hand on the doorframe, as if to stop himself from following. “I don’t need details. Just…give me a name.”

I only stared at him, numbness melting to panic. It took me a moment to find my voice. “It was a long time ago.”

His jaw clenched, rage flashing in his eyes. “That doesn’t matter.” He sucked in a breath. “When you’re ready, then.”

I forced myself to nod, my plan forgotten in the face of his offer. He turned and started down the hall as his words sank in. I had no doubt what would happen if I gave him that name. But that couldn’t change my plans. If anything, it should prove to me what kind of a man he was. It should make what I had to do easier.

It had to.

I closed my eyes and called out, “Wait.” He turned toward me, and I pushed the bedroom door open wider. “Do you want to come in?”

Even in the dim hall I saw his eyes narrow. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

I swallowed and forced away a sudden surge of guilt. I had to do this. “I thought I wasn’t your type.”

A grim sort of smile carved his mouth. I counted my breaths as he considered until, finally, he stalked toward me. At least fae males were as predictable as human ones.

I twisted around, unable to face him as I tried to ignore the accusatory voice inside me. Liar. Liar. Liar.

Was I any better than him if I did this? Could I live with myself? I tried convincing myself by thinking of everything I knew of him so far. Gage might be more than the sins he’d committed, but that didn’t erase the things he’d done. It didn’t change the fact that he’d trapped me. It didn’t mean that he would keep his promise not to hurt Channing. And I shouldn’t be moved by his offer of vengeance.

“Have you changed your mind?” he asked gruffly, stopping only a few steps behind me.

Awareness prickled like electricity through my body in a way that had nothing to do with the push and pull of my conscience. His unearthly magic at work again.

He cleared his throat, but his words sounded heavy when he finally spoke. “About the name, I mean. The man who…hurt you.”

Somehow he knew that I was anxious. Could he hear my heart racing? Probably. But he’d mistaken why I was worked up. I closed my eyes and remembered what was at stake. He could trade me to someone like Bain or MacAlister. He could take the necklace and trap me here. And as long as he was alive, he could hurt the person I cared most about in the world. I had no choice. The fact steeled my resolve. “No, but I have something else to offer you.” I willed my voice to remain steady. “Something you want more.”

“Oh?” He moved nearer, close enough that I felt his heat through my thin gown.

It would be so easy to turn in to his body, to surrender to this strange, terrifying attraction he compelled from me. But that wouldn’t save me or Channing.

I just had to get the gun.

And pull the trigger.

“And what is that?” he asked gruffly.

“Me,” I whispered.

“I thought I made myself clear.” I heard the strain in his voice as his finger traced the sweep of my shoulder. It hesitated on the strap of my gown, and for a moment, I thought he was seriously considering what I’d offered. Every nerve in my body tuned to that singular touch, tuned to his raw, brutal energy as if it was a command. The finger disappeared, and I gasped at the ache its absence triggered.

But then his hands caught my shoulders, and he spun me around. “It’s not part of our arrangement,” he reminded me, his eyes burning into mine.

“Because I’m not your type,” I murmured, casting my eyes away from the intensity of his scrutiny.

He chuckled softly, moving his index finger to tilt my chin up. He studied my mouth with that magnetic concentration, and I found it opening, knowing what he was thinking. This was part of my plan, wasn’t it? Under the heat of his stare, I couldn’t remember, couldn’t remember why I’d invited him in, couldn’t remember how to think.

“What game are you playing, princess?” He leaned close enough that I thought he might kiss me. Instead, his breath caressed my lips. “You haven’t changed your mind. Or do you get off by fucking men you hate?”

I did hate him. The reminder snapped me out of my daze, made me recall what I had to do and why I’d lured him here in the first place. I pasted a lazy smile on my face and moved closer to him, molding my body to his and slipping my hand under his jacket. My fingers trailed along the hard ridges of his chest, moving lower.

Gage didn’t stop me as I explored.

I could do this. I had to do this. Flattening my palm against him, I lifted my eyes to his as I slid my hands around his waist, drawing him closer. Shadows moved in his eyes, a curse dropping from his mouth as he bent and lowered his mouth to mine. It hovered there for a delicious second, and…I grabbed his gun.

He froze as I lurched out of his arms.

His brows raised as I pointed the gun at his chest. I tried not to think of how his body had felt beneath my fingertips or the darkness that stirred inside me when our eyes met. For a second, he just stared, and then…

He clapped.

Motherfucker.

“I’ll admit I was starting to buy it.” A grin hooked his mouth as he took a step closer. “But I should warn you, I am immortal.”

“Don’t,” I commanded, curling my finger over the trigger. “Even immortals bleed.”

“Do you really think you’re capable of shooting me?” he asked, taking another step. “Your hands are shaking.”

I was breathing hard and fast now, my entire body focused on keeping my hands steady. I knew I only had one shot. I just had to take it. “You have absolutely no idea what I’m capable of,” I bit out. “And I’ve seen what these bullets can do. I don’t have to be a good shot. I just have to aim a little.” That made him pause. Gage looked at me like he was seeing me for the first time, and I swallowed. “I’ve faced monsters before.”

A slight growl escaped him. “I gathered.”

He took another step forward despite my warning. And another. And another. I didn’t even realize I was backing up with each one until I bumped against the wall. There was nowhere to turn. I kept the gun aimed at him, but he didn’t try to seize it. Instead, he gripped the barrel and pressed it directly over his heart. His eyes never left mine. For once, those tattoos didn’t move, didn’t even flicker.

“Slay the monster, princess.”

My chest heaved as I searched for that final shred of courage.

And found it.

My finger pulled the trigger.

And nothing happened.

Gage’s movements were a blur as he disarmed me and tossed the gun on the floor. It clattered ominously, sliding out of reach for either of us. His hands closed over my wrists and pinned them to my sides. “I can’t decide if you failed that test.” The tip of his nose brushed mine, and a pang shot through me. “Or if you passed it.”

“I would have killed you,” I breathed, letting him see the truth of it in my eyes.

“Oh, I know.” His rough laugh rasped over my feverish skin. “Remind me to show you how to turn off the safety.”

My eyes flashed. “Don’t fuck with me.”

Another low laugh. “I wouldn’t dream of it. You’ll have to earn a weapon before I teach you. I’m afraid you’ll need to redirect your homicidal urge before that happens.”

“That might be a problem.” I pulled against his hold on me, but he held me fast.

“How about a little help?” Was he actually fucking smiling at me? I couldn’t tell. He was so close. His eyes. His lips. Him. “I assume you think this is the only way out of the bargain you made. I’ll look past your ingratitude.”

I glared up at him, keenly aware of everywhere our bodies touched.

“And I will tell you how to break it,” he added.

I went utterly still.

“I thought that might get your attention.” He snorted softly. “Fae bargains are based on desire.”

“I don’t want you.” But my cheeks burned, my body burned, I burned.

“Clearly,” he said dryly. “But you did want something from me, and I gave it to you because there’s something I want in return.”

My stomach pitched as his words hit me. “What do you get out of it?”

I couldn’t imagine what he could want from me—what could motivate a man like him to make a deal with a woman he didn’t even know?

He clicked his tongue in disapproval. “It won’t be any fun if I tell you. You have a month and a day to break the bargain. Before then, if you can prove to me that you not only know what I stand to gain from this bargain but also that I will never get it from you, I will release you.”

I swallowed. It was too good to be true. I narrowed my eyes. “And Channing?”

I had learned my lesson about bargains.

“I’ll leave him alone. You have my word.” He paused, squinting down at me. “And contrary to what you believe, my word is unbreakable. Until then, you will come to me at night and you will stop trying to kill me.”

I knew that wasn’t an optional condition. I took a deep breath. “Fine.”

His tongue swept over his lower lip, his eyes straying once more to my mouth before he released me. I slumped against the wall, adrenaline still coursing through me. Gage bent and picked up his gun. He slid the magazine free, and I stared as he drew gold-plated bullets out of his pocket.

“You said you knew what these bullets did. I assume you’ve seen them in the hospital.” He reloaded one into the magazine before holding another up. “The slugs are iron, which is lethal to fae if it hits the right spot. These slugs splinter when fired for maximum effectiveness.” He looked over at me. “They’re meant to kill us. We coat them in gold so we can handle them.”

“Why are you telling me this?” I asked quietly.

“You have no idea who you’re playing with, princess. Now you do.” He finished loading, and then he strode toward the doors without looking back at me. “And now I know about you.”

“Know what?” My voice shook. He’d baited me, knowing I wanted to kill him.

He stopped, a hand on the knob. “I told you it was a test. Good night.”

I was still trembling as he strode from my bedroom, but I could have sworn I heard a smile in those final words.