Early Sins (Dangerous Games Book 0) Read Free Page A

She didn’t trust him, hell, she didn’t trust anyone – but then why the ever-loving fuck was she in this unknown guy’s car? Again ?
    At least he hadn’t killed her yet, and he clearly could if he wanted to.
    “So, what am I supposed to call you?”
    He muttered under his breath as he turned out of the parking lot. “You talk too much.”
    “You know my name!”
    “No. I don’t.” His eyes met hers as he turned to look at her, that gaze pinning her in place. “Seatbelt.”
    With a grumble she buckled herself in, and then she raised her hands up. “Seriously, do I just call you weirdo with the green eyes?”
    “Smith.”
    Camille laughed. “Your name is Smith ?”
    “As far as you’re concerned, yes. Now, what do you want to eat?” He navigated a slow turn, another car passing by them with the bass thumping so loud she could feel it in her seat.
    “I’m not picky.”
    “Good.”
    After a short, silent drive they pulled up to a 24-hour café and he nodded towards the interior as he stepped out. “Let’s eat.”
    Camille watched him as he shut his door and walked towards the entrance before glancing back, his silhouette outlined in the yellowed light from the interior where only a few stragglers from the streets were huddled. She muttered to herself, picking at her nails, “What are you doing, Camille? This isn’t part of the fucking plan. This guy is probably going to drag you off somewhere and sell you.”
    Smith gestured towards the café and she wavered between going inside and running. His head leaned back and then he held an arm to his side, clearly tired of waiting for her. She shoved the door open with an internal curse, and stepped out, forcing herself to walk towards him. “Still don’t trust me?” he asked.
    “No.”
    “Good. Let’s get some food in you.” He turned away from her and opened the door, letting it swing shut behind him as he nodded at a waitress behind the counter and grabbed a booth just inside the glass.
    She followed and felt the blast of air conditioning cool the damp sweat on her skin. The place was mostly empty, the waitress loitering near the window to the kitchen as she flirted with the cook. Most of the others in the place were alone, a drunk couple slumped in a booth to her right in club clothes, and only one of the other patrons glanced her way before staring back at his plate. She avoided the loner’s gaze and dropped into the seat opposite Smith, her stomach rumbling at the smell of fried food and brewing coffee. “Why are you doing this?”
    “Buying you food? Because you look like you’re about to drop dead.” Smith waved a hand at the waitress.
    “I’m fine.”
    “Sure you are. Pick something off the menu, and no coffee, you need sleep after this.”
    “You can’t tell me what to do.” Camille bristled, but the look he gave her as the waitress approached was cold as ice and froze her tongue in place.
    “I’ll take a water, and the reuben.” Smith smiled politely at the woman before he turned to her. With a mechanical glance at the menu she looked over the list of sandwiches and salads and rolled her eyes.
    “A coke and the French dip.”
    As the woman walked away Smith stared at her, his gaze drilling holes through her until she felt stuck to the seat.
    “What the fuck do you want from me?”
    “I have no idea,” he replied smoothly before tugging out a few napkins from the dispenser on the table.
    “So, then what is this?”
    “Like I said, I still don’t know.” Smith sighed and folded his hands on the edge of the table, his cool eyes still glued to her. “You intrigue me, C.”
    “It’s Candy.”
    “No. It’s not.” He glanced up as the waitress returned with their drinks, and then he was looking at her again. “And to be clear, I’m not calling you that ridiculous name. It makes you sound like a stripper.”
    “Maybe I am.”
    “Maybe you are, but it doesn’t mean I have to call you that. I think that ‘C’ will work