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His hand combing through his hair stopped on the back of his head and stayed there when he shot around and stared at me to see if I was fucking with him. I returned his steady stare with one of my own, hopefully indicating to him I was most certainly not fucking with him.

“What did you say?”

Guess I’d have to elaborate. I didn’t mind one bit.

“I think it’s hot as fuck that you used him for your pleasure. I can just imagine the chains and the sounds. To be honest, I can imagine I’m that guy, being used for your pleasure, helpless, and at your mercy. I’ve had that from you, and I want it again and again. You know what I like and crave, and now I know what you do, too. It’s perfect. We’re perfect.”

I paused because I felt the need to clarify one little point. With a smile, I elaborated, “Well, it’s perfect except for the whole killing thing. I’m not ready to die, Crow. I just thought I’d make that clear.”

Crow smirked and, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, for the first time I saw he had a fucking dimple on his right cheek. Be still my heart.

“Thanks for the clarification, Worthy. I sort of assumed that, but now I know for sure. I’ll make a note of it in mypeople not to killjournal.”

The tension from minutes before was broken, and I returned his smirk with a bigger smile of my own. He understood me, and I understood him. We were finally on the same page, and it felt amazing.

He came toward me, arms out, and I gladly walked toward him. But, just as I was about to enter his embrace, I hesitated. I couldn’t understand what I was seeing at first. It didn’t make sense. When my brain caught up to my eyes, all I felt was mind-numbing terror. This couldn’t be happening. Not now. I wanted to run, but I couldn’t move. The terror was rooting me to the spot even though I knew I should try to get away. Determined to do anything I could to fight, I wasn’t able to move, but I was finally able to form words. I pushed on his shoulders to move him away from me, but it was too late.

“CROW! NO!!”