Read Online Mine To Take (Nine Circles) by Jackie Ashenden - Free Book Online

shit for the overall good. Like the way he’d let himself be used as a drug mule when he’d been a kid so he could earn some cash. Money so he and his mother could survive. Like when, years later, he’d become part of the club who used to make those drug runs, working his way up the hierarchy with ruthless determination until he was in a position to kick the drug-dealing scum out of his neighborhood. The brothers hadn’t liked it, but by that stage he’d earned enough fear and respect that no one challenged him.
    There were other ways to earn money, after all.
    “Collateral damage, Eva,” he said shortly. “Civilian casualties happen in war, right Zac?”
    The other man gave him a level stare. “Not when they concern Eva they don’t.”
    Zac had always been protective of her. Overprotective as far as Gabriel was concerned. Eva could look after herself, something she’d consistently proven in the five years since she’d joined their little group.
    Then again, she had quite definite opinions when it came to protecting women. Gabriel had his suspicions as to why—he knew for a fact she had an entire Void Angel research team dedicated to hunting down and stopping the white-slave trade. Perhaps if she knew what he was doing, she’d agree with him.
    Then again, it wasn’t anything to do with her.
    Eva flicked Zac an irritated glance. “Oh, for Christ’s sake, don’t be an asshole. You said you were here to talk about the deal, not be my guard dog.”
    Zac’s calm demeanor didn’t change in the slightest. “I’ll do what I need to do, angel. Whether you like it or not.”
    Eva opened her mouth, probably to deny this, but then Zac added mildly, “I have to say though, I’m rather keen to find out just what war Gabriel thinks he’s fighting.”
    “None of your fucking business,” Gabriel growled, annoyed. “Honor isn’t my main area of interest anyway so calm the hell down.”
    Eva gave him a narrow look. “Not your main area of interest? Then what—”
    “Tremain,” Zac interrupted softly. “It’s Tremain you’re after.”
    Gabriel said nothing. He just looked at the other two sitting opposite him, keeping his face expressionless, letting them draw whatever conclusions they wanted.
    “Ah,” Eva said at last. “Okay then.” There was recognition in her gray eyes. Like she knew exactly where he was and what he was doing. “Don’t ask, don’t tell?”
    One of the club’s rules. They only shared what they wanted to share. No one pushed for more.
    Gabriel inclined his head in an almost imperceptible nod. Maybe that would keep Eva off his back about Honor. Not that the tech CEO had anything to worry about on that score.
    Are you sure about that?
    He had a sudden flashback to Honor’s smoky voice during their phone call earlier that day. “I have heard that word before. It doesn’t offend me you know…” A flame of pure heat licked up inside him. He did love a challenge and Honor’s words had been all challenge, making him want to find out exactly what would shock her. Mess with all her smooth, perfectly put-together sophistication. Maybe that made him a cliché but who the hell cared?
    It’s the devil, his mother would have told him. The devil tempting you to come out and play.
    Problem was he’d played with the devil before. And liked it.
    “Okay,” Eva said after a long moment. “We’re still good. But if I hear you’re screwing with her—and don’t think I don’t know it’s a double entendre—then I’m pulling Void Angel from the deal.”
    Gabriel met her gaze. There was clear, cold certainty in her smoky gray eyes but he caught a glimpse of burning anger beneath that ice. Eva had had some bad shit in her life, just as they all did, and it had left its mark.
    “I don’t hurt women, Eva,” he said, wanting to acknowledge that anger because hell, he knew all about anger.
    She looked away, down at her hands, which were folded neatly in her lap. “Yeah, fine.”
    A tense,