Unique Ink (Shadow Assassins Book 5) Read Online Free Page A

fear. “How long are you going to keep me here?”
     
    Elias reached over and touched Roxie’s foot. Even dressed in black leather and chains, she looked like a frightened kitten. He wanted to comfort her, calm her, but her agitation worked to his advantage. He needed her to believe he was dangerous, that he’d do anything to find out the answers to his questions. That wasn’t far from the truth, but even bastards like him had limits. And harming women was high on a very short list of things he would never do.
    “I need to understand how it started.” He kept his voice even, yet unemotional. “What brought you together with those men?”
    Roxie shrugged. The absent motion made the delicate chains draped from shoulder to waist jingle against her breasts. She was lithe and lean, her gentle curves perfect for her narrow frame. Snug black leather pants showcased her long legs and sleek hips, while a sexy cropped tank top left the artwork on her arms and sides visible.
    “Would you like me to undress?” The challenge in her tone snapped his attention back to her face.
    “I was distracted by your tattoos. I apologize.”
    She chuckled, clearly unconvinced by the lame excuse. “Sorry, Tex, but you weren’t looking at my tattoos.”
    He’d already apologized, so he ignored the comment and brought the conversation back on track. “How’d your interaction with Nazerel and his companions begin?”
    “It didn’t start with Nazerel. Sevrin strolled into my shop one night and offered me an obscene amount of money for an exclusive contract.”
    Not willing to derail the conversation again, he focused on her powder-blue eyes. “An exclusive contract to do what?”
    “I’m a tattoo artist, dumb-ass. What do you think she wanted me to do? Clean their apartments?”
    He pushed to his feet and turned toward the door.
    “Where are you going?” She swung her legs over the side of the bunk, but didn’t stand.
    “I’m attempting to be civil. If you’re not ready to exchange information, I’ll return when you are.”
    She did stand then, an angry flush coloring her high cheekbones. “If this were an exchange, I might not be so bitchy. I’ve answered your questions, but you’ve dodged all of mine.”
    He advanced, backing her against the wall with two long strides. Pressing his hands against the wall, he caged her, surrounding her without actually touching her. “You’re in more danger than you can possibly imagine. Even if Sevrin has left Las Vegas, she hasn’t lost track of you. Cooperate with us and we’ll protect you. Continue to be a pain in the ass and we’ll turn you loose. Do you really want to be at Sevrin’s mercy again?”
    “I’m not afraid of Sevrin.” She glared up at him, her expression mutinous.
    Damn. She was going to be harder to break than he’d thought, but he was known for his patience. It was one of the things that made him so good at interrogations. “Fine. I’ll arrange for your discharge.” Before she could react to the dismissal, he walked from the room.
    “Wait.”
    He pretended not to hear her cry and locked the door behind him. He’d let her stew for an hour or two while he found out what was going on with the others. Hopefully, when he returned, she’d be more reasonable.
    Her stubborn expression and angry gaze lingered in the back of his mind as he hurried toward his office. He’d expected her to be more frightened, more overwhelmed. It was almost as if today were not the first time she’d been exposed to paranormal abilities. Had the Shadow Assassins been showing off for the feisty tattoo artist? And if they had, what abilities had they revealed? She insisted that her only interaction with them had been professional, but what else would she say? She gained nothing by admitting to more.
    As Elias approached his office, he found Bates and Larossa, two of his men speaking with Lor. “Please tell me you caught the bastard.”
    Lor looked at him then shook his head,