Ruthless Creatures

As Nat and Kage drive away from La Cantina, Kage reminds Nat that she’s under no obligation to speak to the police. If law-enforcement officials find out about Nat and Kage, they’ll put Nat under surveillance. Kage believes that if Nat were sensible, she’d leave him, but if she stays, she’ll be his “queen.” He’ll give her everything he can, with some exceptions. First, he’s had a vasectomy, so they can’t have biological children. Second, because of his work, he can only see Nat a few times a month. Finally, she can never live with him, but he promises not to see other women.

Nat thinks of David’s overly fastidious habits—like folding his dirty clothes before he put them in the hamper—and realizes that they weren’t a match. In contrast, Kage admits to killing the two members of the Irish mafia before taking Nat into the bedroom.

Kage and Nat have sex, which Nat describes as primeval. She feels no longer tethered to the ground and is glad that she can’t turn back. After sex, Kage praises her performance, and Nat reciprocates. Kage admits to reading Regency romance novels, which surprises Nat.