Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 93984 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93984 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
“I get a sneaking suspicion we have similar tales. Joining the military, which led to other, darker opportunities before deciding to strike out on your own.”
“But?” Gabriel said when Justin fell silent.
“I’ve run into only a few other assassins and mercenaries over the years.” He smiled at Gabriel and held up his glass. “I mean, it’s not like there’s an annual convention each year we gather at to swap stories and attend panels on the newest gadgets.” The forced smile fell away almost as quickly as it was formed. “But looking at that guy tonight…it reminded me that I’m not the only one out there.”
Gabriel stopped in the middle of lifting the glass to his lips and stared at Justin in confusion. “And I’m not a reminder?”
Justin huffed. “You’re different.”
Gabriel could feel his expression grow more incredulous as he lowered his glass without taking a drink. “In what way?”
“Ugh. I’m not saying this right.” Justin let go of his tumbler to fist his hands on the counter in front of him. “I’ve heard of that Peter asshole. He doesn’t work with Marilyn. She’s too damn picky. Likes certain reputable killers.” His sneer felt mocking, and Gabriel believed Justin was mocking himself with that expression on his face as much as Marilyn’s sensibilities.
“Of course,” Gabriel agreed primly.
“But I still hear about others through the grapevine. Hear about contracts. Hell, I’ve turned down so many jobs because they just felt bad or were fucking evil. And for every contract that I passed on, there was this sour knot in my stomach because I knew there was some evil fuck out there who was going to take that job, and I couldn’t stop him. Did that make me just like the ones who took the job?”
“You’ve got lines you won’t cross, Justin.”
“Yeah,” he said forcefully. “I won’t hurt innocent people. I’m not going after some grieving father and his kid for a fucking paycheck. Do you—”
“Yes, I’ve got lines too,” Gabriel interrupted. He didn’t like the idea of Justin doubting him. Sure, he might have played up the image of being a cold, ruthless killer when they first met, but that was to protect his ass from Justin. This was different. Tonight, the always resolute and confident Justin was shaken, and Gabriel’s need to comfort the man was overwhelming.
Just the idea of comforting anyone was laughable, but he didn’t feel like laughing. He wanted to see Justin shake this off and smile at him before making some horrible joke. And that was more important to him than the other lines he’d drawn for himself about not getting emotionally involved with someone again. He’d deal with the repercussions of that later.
“But is that enough?”
Gabriel walked around the breakfast bar to stand beside Justin’s chair. Grabbing the back, he swiveled it until he was standing between Justin’s legs. Gently, Gabriel cupped both sides of his face and forced him to meet his narrowed eyes.
“You might be fucking insane and annoying as hell, but deep down you’re a good man, Justin Mallory.”
Justin lifted one eyebrow at him, wrinkling his forehead. “Is this a pep talk?”
“Maybe.”
“You suck at this.” A small hint of a smile peeked out, and Gabriel’s heart sped up.
“I’ve never done this before.”
“It shows. You should probably start with the ‘good man’ part next time.”
“Fuck off,” Gabriel muttered.
He dropped his hands and started to step away, but Justin slipped his fingers into the loose waistband of his pants and pulled him back in. Their mouths slammed together in a hungry kiss that obliterated all thought. This he knew, and he was damn good at this part.
Gabriel’s tongue slid into Justin’s mouth, tasting the whiskey and a bit of Justin that only stoked the fire racing through his veins. God, he wanted this man. He couldn’t imagine a time when he didn’t want to consume Justin. It felt like this need had burned within him from his earliest memory. They kissed roughly, teeth clacking together and tongues dueling. Their lips would be bruised in the morning, but it didn’t slow them down.
“Upstairs. Supplies,” Justin managed to say as Gabriel moved his mouth across Justin’s jaw to his bite on the thick cords of muscles in his neck. Justin groaned. His strong hands moved to Gabriel’s ass, digging into the round cheeks until he was groaning again. “Fuck, we gotta get upstairs.”
Running his tongue up the side of Justin’s neck, Gabriel grinned at the hiss of pleasure that slipped from Justin’s lips. He dropped his hands to the button and zipper of Justin’s jeans. “I’m sure I can make you come right here.”
“No doubt,” he scoffed. Those big hands gripped Gabriel’s ass, kneading the muscles there until Gabriel could no longer swallow back the low, throaty moan that rumbled up from his chest. His touch felt so damn good. He wanted to feel those hands on every inch of his body.