She doesn’t cower the way Declan had. No, she continues to meet my gaze without flinching, like she isn’t trapped in a small space with a tiger.
“I know River can’t protect me from the likes of you. But he’s a friend, and he needs the connections being a Kappa Alpha Loser would bring.” Pandora’s breath hitches when I push my thumb against the underside of her jaw.
I snort in disbelief. “Doesn’t he know Giulio Pavone? That seems like connections enough.”
I’ll need to contact my father to find out if that’s true. Once we have River’s application, I’ll know more than enough about him to run a full background check, but background checks don’t include shady connections to notorious mob bosses.
Not that Giulio Pavone has done anything big in over a decade, but my father still tries to avoid interacting with him when he can.
If I could get close to Giulio Pavone, if I can take subdue him or take him down orkill him?—
My father would see how strong I am.
“Giulio Pavone is extremely picky about who he lets into his personal sphere, if the rumors are true. River’s dad might be tight with him, but that doesn’t mean River can get the same benefits. He needs to prove himself. He needs to build connections of his own.” Her expression is fierce, unyielding. “You can do this for him. Since you’re already getting so much from me.”
I laugh, then grab her by the throat. Pandora gasps and reaches up to claw at my arm. Her sharp nails rake across my skin, but it isn’t enough to deter me.
If anything, it makes arousal spike through me.
“You don’t get to make any demands, Pandora,” I say, leaning down to kiss her open mouth. “You’re here on my terms.”
I loosen my grip and sigh in contentment when I hear her gasp for breath.
My cock throbs.
“Are you scared?” Pandora asks in a ragged voice.
I tense. “Scared? Of what?”
Only the weak are scared.
Only the weak cower from the unknown.
“Of River. Of me.” Pandora grins widely and licks her lips. “Did Asch say I couldn’t be trusted? It’s okay if you’re both cowards.”
It’s such blatant manipulation, but my hand tightens again anyway.
There is nothing cowardly about me.
I’m the monster in the dark everybody fears.
“I’m notafraid,” I hiss. “This isn’t going to work on me. I’m the one who makes the rules here, not you.”
Pandora opens her mouth, but only soft, mewling sounds escape.
I squeeze her neck for another few breaths before I release her again.
Pandora coughs and turns away from me, but I push her flat onto the bed and box her in.
Her eyes are glassy, and her face is red, and she’s so hot like this that I lean in and kiss her. She tries to break the kiss, but I don’t let her, holding her down and forcing her to accept me.
There’s a hint of her teeth against my tongue, but she doesn’t bite.
Good. She’s learning.
She’s already weaker than last time.
That should be a welcoming thought, but instead, I feel a sense of disappointment. I pull back in annoyance.
