She sighs contentedly as she pops back out of her coat, adjusting it around her. “Okay, you win. That’s so much better.”
So why does it feel like I did the bare minimum and want to kick my own ass?
“I need to take care of something real quick, then I’ll give you a ride home.” It’s the least I can do. The car I’m stealing may be old, but I’m sure it has heat. If nothing else, it’ll save her from the harsh wind.
She bites her lip and hesitates before eventually shaking her head. “I’m actually headed to the lake.”
It’s like fate. “Me too!”
She cocks her head, surprised. “What for?”
Discreetly, I glance back at the duffle bag holding the dead body I stuffed into the trunk. “Feeding the fish. You?”
She narrows her eyes, clearly thinking I’m deranged and contemplating making a run for it, but eventually pulls something slowly out of her pocket. When she opens her palm, a flash of teal has my eyes widening in surprise.
“Can’t get him back to the arctic, but the lake should be cold enough until spring. Gives me time to figure out a long term solution for the little guy.”
Wait.
“You nearly froze to death to rescue a mutant octopus?”
Her jaw clenches. “Look, I know it sounds stupi-”
Fighting the insane desire to kiss her, I press a finger to her lips instead. “It’snotstupid.” It’s more proof that this beautiful woman in front of me is far too sweet for this shitty world we live in and must be protected at all costs. “Now get in the car.”
“Yeah… I’m not doing that,” she says with a snort of amusement.
Halfway to the car I pause, caught off guard. “Why not?”
“Because you’re a stranger?” She looks at me like I’m insane. Which, I mean, fair.But also… rude. “That’s like, how to stay alive as a woman 101. Don’t get into random dude’s cars.”
But I’m not a random dude. I’m your future husband.
“It’s cold out. You shouldn’t be walking.”
She rolls her eyes. “I walk to work every day, I’m used to it.”
I clench my fist, tucking it in my pocket so she doesn’t see how badly her words affect me. I know firsthand what it’s like to be out on the streets in the middle of winter. A sweet thing like her has no business suffering the way I once did.
“Just because you’re used to something, that doesn’t mean it’s right.”
She absorbs my words, genuinely considering them, and I respect her all the more for it. “Isn’t that the damn truth?” With a sad smile, she scoops up her frozen clothes and offers a half-assed wave. “Thanks again for the shirt. Try to be more careful on the ice, yeah? The mountains are notorious for hidden death traps.”
With that, she pivots on her heel and walks off like she hasn’t completely and utterly destroyed my plans by crashing into my world, as if she can saunter away and leave devastation in her wake without consequence. And as I watch her go, all I can think is that it feelswrongon a visceral level.
Because that purple-haired angel? Nothing’s going to stand in the way of making her mine.
After all, only suicidal idiots get between a serial killer and their obsession.
Chapter 4
Zayd
Run.
It’s the only thought I can hold onto as I push my broken body far past its limits, every step sending another wave of agony that threatens to bring me to my knees. My mangled wing smacks into my side and I hiss in a sharp breath through gritted teeth, but keep going.
Don’t stop. Can’t stop.
