Beneath This Ink (Beneath #2)(57)

“Last time? What—” And then his meaning hit me. Yes, I was a little slow on the uptake this morning. But I was also totally confused as to why he was comparing this morning to that one.

“Guess I should’ve expected it. I mean, what the hell did I really think was going to happen? I got what I wanted; you got what you wanted. Why would you stick around?” Con pitched the coffee carrier he was holding across the alley, and the cups exploded when they collided with the brick wall. “Should’ve known.”

Mouth hanging open, I couldn’t even form words. I felt like I’d just been dropped into some kind of alternate reality. This angry Con was the one I’d known before.

“What are you waiting for? You got what you wanted. Just go.”

I could’ve gone. The twisted expression, accusing eyes, and bulging muscles covered with ink painted a foreboding picture.

But I didn’t. Because I wasn’t about to walk away from this encounter with absolutely no idea as to what had caused his behavior. Not even if I was running short on time.

So instead, I climbed out of the car. Hands on my hips, I stood tall and stared him down.

“What in the ever-loving hell are you rambling about, Con? You’re the one who left me alone in bed and disappeared.”

Con jammed his hands into his hair and shook his head. “Yeah, and it’s so f*cking convenient that you jetted as soon as you got your hands on the deed.”

Now my confusion was complete. “What are you talking about? Seriously. Have you been drinking this morning already? I get that it’s five o’clock somewhere, but this is a little extreme… even for you.”

“The deed. The one you came in begging for, and the only motherf*cking reason you ended up in my bed.”

Now that just pissed me off, and I finally was catching on to why he was throwing his little mantrum. “Do you really believe what you’re saying right now?”

“You tell me, princess. Why shouldn’t I believe it?”

“I don’t know, Con. I guess I thought I was in your bed last night because I wanted to be there. But right about now, I don’t think there’s anything I can say to make you believe that.” I looked down at my watch. I didn’t want our conversation to end like this, but Con didn’t look like he was in the mood for a reasonable discussion.

“You could tell me you didn’t take the deed and run.”

“I don’t think I need to. I’m pretty sure you can march your ass back up to your apartment and figure that out for yourself. Because if there was a deed to be had, it’s still there.” I got into my car and slammed the door, not waiting for his response.

Before I could buckle my seatbelt, Con ripped the door open again and invaded the cabin. “Oh, no you don’t, princess. Changed my mind. You don’t get to leave.” He snatched the keys from the ignition and shoved them in his pocket before lifting me out of my seat and tossing me over his shoulder.

“Put me down. I’m leaving!”

“You’re not going anywhere until I’m good and ready to let you go. I already made that mistake before. Took me two f*cking years to recover from it. Not doing it again.”

“You’re insane!”

“And you’re the one making me f*cking crazy, so get over it.”

I struggled, pounding on his back, probably looking like a cavewoman pissed off at the man dragging her back to his cave.

A heavy palm landed on my ass, momentarily stunning me into stillness.

Did he seriously just spank me?

My shock lasted just long enough for Con to find his keys and unlock the back door of Voodoo and slam it behind us.

“Put me down!”

“All in good time. All in good time.” His words came out as grunts as my fists continued to land on his back. If I were a bystander, I’d be laughing myself silly, because we had to look ridiculous. Nothing I did stopped Con. He ran up the stairs, and I bounced on his shoulder with each step. Moments later I was flipping upside down, my skirt flying up toward my eyes, and landing on the bed with a thump.

I sprang right back up onto my feet and headed for the door—or at least I tried to. Con’s thick forearm caught me around the waist.

“Now why would I let you get away so fast if I just went through all this trouble to get you back up here?”

“Because you don’t want another encounter between my knee and your balls?” I snapped.

His chuckle sent my temper flaring even higher. “Come on, princess. Just hear me out. I’m about to apologize, and I’m pretty sure you don’t want to miss that.”

“All you’ve spouted is crazy this morning, so I’m not sure I’m equipped to handle whatever you’ve got to say next.”

“Please.”

One word. One word spoken in the most sincere tone I’d ever heard come from Constantine Leahy doused my temper. I stilled, and he dropped his arm. My eyes tracked his movements as he crossed the room and grabbed something off the kitchen table. A white envelope. He came back to stand before me and held it out.

I accepted it and stared down at Con’s writing on the front.

Van,

Because I don’t want to wonder if this is the only reason you’re here. I’ll be back, and then we’re going to talk.

Con