Blood in the Water(23)
“I prefer to keep my own counsel on this, but I need your advice about something else.”
“I’d be happy to help.” Byron couldn’t believe she was outright asking for his opinion. And he wondered what else could possibly be bothering her, given the magnitude of this situation.
“Interpersonal relationships aren’t my forte, and you have an uncanny ability to understand people.” She rubbed the back of her neck. “If a woman wasn’t open to your romantic overtures, how would you prefer she broach the subject with you?”
“Is this your subtle way of tellin’ me to piss off, darlin’?”
“I’m not talking about you.”
No way. Did she mean…?
“Fuck a duck. The psycho’s in love with you?” No wonder she was so shaken up.
“I suppose it doesn’t constitute privileged information. Yes, Valentine said he’s in love with me.”
Oh, heeeelllll no.
Byron was done with this crap. “I got a solution for you, a real permanent one, and all I need is a couple of bullets.” He grabbed the gun from the holster beneath his jacket, then cocked it. “Afterward, I’ll take you out for a big breakfast. How does bacon and eggs sound?”
She stared at the Glock with rounded eyes.
“Jane?”
“I’m going to do us both a favor and ignore the threat you made. I’m an officer of the court, and I solve my problems with the law, not bloodshed.”
Byron put the gun down and tried to reason with her. “You follow society’s rules, but he doesn’t, darlin’. Do you know how dangerous Valentine is?”
“I might have an idea or two.” Her already milky skin somehow went even paler.
Valentine must’ve shown her a trophy or two from his killings, and it only reinforced Byron’s opinion of the bastard.
“When dealin’ with an animal like Valentine, it’s either kill or be killed.”
“I don’t know why I’m bothering to explain this. At this point, I don’t see much difference between the two of you.”
Damn, she knew just how to hurt a man.
“Let me give you a big one. I don’t murder defenseless women and dress them up like brides. And I sure as fuck don’t get off on the…things I have to do to protect my business interests. As for my sex life, I love ’em and I leave ’em alive when the relationship ends. And the ladies always leave with big ol’ smiles on their faces.”
“So you only use women for pleasure and companionship?” Her tone was sharp. “What a gentleman.”
His brief, torrid relationships had been splashed all over the gossip rags, but she didn’t have to make it sound so empty—even if it was.
“The point is, I don’t kill women—unlike your brand new boyfriend.”
“Valentine isn’t my boyfriend.”
“Does he know that?”
She scowled. “I’ll simply explain myself in a clear, concise manner. I’m sure if I—”
He laughed without any humor. “Yeah, he strikes me as the type who takes ‘no’ for an answer. I’m sure he’ll mosey on along after you reject him.”
“I’ll reason with him, and he’ll see the logic.”
“Darlin’, a serial killer’s in love with you—think about it for a spell. Despite the fool’s name, it ain’t gonna be all roses and chocolates.”
She placed a hand over her mouth.
Byron felt like a bastard for scaring her, but she needed a reality check. Whether Jane understood it or not, she was fighting for her life, and it was time for drastic measures. He couldn’t let her walk into a trap.
“I see your point. Maybe…,” she broke off. “A bodyguard might be in order, someone to keep me safe, at least until I get this situation under control.”
“Finally, you’re makin’ some sense. Unless you want me to take care of him? My offer still stands.” Because it’d be his pleasure. Byron had been killing for a long time and wiping out this freak wouldn’t cause him even a moment’s hesitation.
“Of course not! No matter what my personal feelings are, I can’t support any violence against Mr. Valentine.”
It wouldn’t be violent if Byron had his way. Dickhead wouldn’t even see it coming. Byron excelled at a neat and clean hit—in and out the door in under ten minutes. It was a generous way to go, considering all the suffering he’d caused.
“Who’d you have in mind?” Byron could offer her one of his private guards or recommend some other names if she preferred.
She sucked in a breath. “You.”