Red Hot(Sex & Mayhem #5)(117)

“Clever girl,” whispered Monster, propping himself in front of the screen. Even Loki felt his heart beat superfast when he listened on. This was the battle for Jack’s survival.

Paxton chuckled, and after a bit of rustling, she was on the screen again, relaxed in her armchair. “Come on, you had a terrible night. Treat yourself.”

“No, it’s not about that. I’m one of those weirdos who are allergic to it. I would love some nuts if you have any at home.”

Paxton leaned forward and tore open the packaging, revealing the pastries. They looked too good to be true. “Come on, it’s just us ladies here. I don’t mind it if your stomach makes some funny noises. You know you want to.”

“She’s onto her,” whispered Monster.

“How do you know? She doesn’t have her bad-cop voice on.” Jack shrugged, but the frown he was sporting proved he didn’t really disagree with Monster.

Lucy laughed. “Okay, but I’ll only have one if you do. It’s nice to talk to someone so understanding, and you know, a woman, like me.”

“That croissant looks too artisanal.”

“Are you saying Candy’s baking’s not right?” growled Sam.

“I’m saying that out of all the people here, no one thought that those pastries are too good looking for what they should be,” growled Monster.

Paxton got up. “Dig in, I’ll make a coffee for myself first,” she said, walking up to the open plan kitchen.

“We don’t have a way to pull her out though,” Jack hissed and started pacing in the tiny space at the back of the van. “Maybe we should just call her. Tell her to take off under some pretence?”

Monster took out his phone right away. Within an endless ten seconds of waiting, Lucy already picked up one of the croissants. She dropped it on the plate the moment her cell phone rang.

“Just a sec, this could be important,” she said to Paxton, who switched on the coffee machine and slowly moved toward the table. “Hello?”

Monster lowered his voice, but with the van as quiet as it was, they could hear every word. “Tell her your sister’s got an emergency. She’s very sick. Just excuse yourself and try to get her out of the house. We’ll go from there,” he said, already pulling out his gun.

“Oh, okay, oh God, that’s horrible. Thank you. No, thank you,” Lucy said and disconnected, but they still heard her on the microphone. “I’m so, so sorry, but my sister’s daughter’s ill. She’s so worried. I have to go to her. See you tomorrow then?”

Loki was in the middle of a relieved sigh when the whole bus stiffened again. There was a gun barrel pointing at them on the screen. At Lucy.

“Eat the damn pastry.” Paxton’s voice was ice cold, her face completely calm.

“What the fuck? She can’t do that!” growled Sam.

Jack was frozen, watching the screen without breathing.

“W—what is this about? Oh, my God. I don’t know what I’ve done wrong, but I’m sure it’s some misunderstanding,” Lucy whispered.

“Stuff that croissant down your throat,” whispered Paxton. “Do it, or I’ll blow off your fingers one by one.”

Monster sat up, his face slack. “What the fuck,” he whispered, not sounding calm for the first time since Loki met him.

“That bitch is out of her mind.” Sam ran his fingers through his mohawk.

“No, please, I told you I’m allergic…” Lucy whined, but when a shot rang through the mic, she started crying and they could see Lucy reach for the croissant.

“What do we do?” asked Loki, and Monster shook his head.

“There’s a chance she’s gonna calm down when Lucy’s done with the pastry. The drug won’t work immediately. That’ll be our chance,” he said in a tight voice as they listened to furious munching and sobs. The image of a stoic Paxton trembled on the screen.

“Eat it up. You’re here to extract information from me, aren’t you? You’ve fallen out of favor and need some leverage? I’m not gonna give you that,” she hissed.

“No, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Lucy sniffed, but when they saw her wipe crumbs off her fingers, Paxton slapped her. The sound was so shocking, all the men in the van inhaled at once.

“Now the other one. You’re gonna eat all four, you lying piece of scum!” Paxton yelled and slapped Lucy again.

“Oh, God, why are you doing this? You’re the police... I’ve done nothing wrong,” whimpered Lucy as the dark, stoic figure of Paxton moved off the screen. Seconds later, Lucy gave a pained groan, and the picture shook again, showing Lucy’s knees.