Fingers shaking, I reach toward the wraith, and he clasps my hand, settling it against his cheek. “Hi, love,” he whispers.
My attention drags beyond him, scans the wide open space, and finds a terrace past the living room. Far more expansive than the balcony attached to the bedroom above, it boasts outdoor furniture and an entire bar.
My tears—somewhat immediately—dry.
My fingers twitch against his face.
Myeyetwitches.
I scrape my gaze back to his infuriating smile and something very important within me—possibly my last nerve—explodes.
Launching on top of him, I knock his back to the floor, choke off his airy laugh, and grip the collar of his shirt, shaking him. “Are you—” I swear. “—insane?”
“Yes?” he croaks. “I thought we’d been over that. Rather intimately, even. Do you think it’s something I attempt to conceal in any way at all?”
“What if you’dmissed!” I blurt, half-screaming my head off while I attempt to shake even a drop of sense into his.
“That was a chance I was willing to take. For you.” His gloved fingers lift and run, featherlight against my cheek. “Oh darling. Be careful what you command of me. Haven’t I already said that I’ll do anything you ask?”
I twitch. Again. Then I pound my fists against his chest. “You’re an idiot.”
“Probably.”
“An absolute and uttermoron.”
“Love makes people stupid and crazy.” His smile is driving me mad, so I grip his cheeks and crush. He mumbles around my constricting fingers, “Imagine what it can do to someone already so mentally unwell.”
“Do you have any idea what would have happened to me if you’d been found dead on the pavement with all the security cameras proving I was the only other person up here?”
“You’d have been fine. I’ve already told Ivy that if I wind up dead, he’s to protect you and do whatever it takes to make sure the verdict is that it was my fault.” Malcolm takes my wrist and frees his mouth. “It’s like you think I don’t know you’re trying to kill me.”
I go cold.
“It’s okay,” he soothes, caressing my hair, planting his hand flat to my back, pulling me into a hug. “I’ve said I’d die for you. And I am nothing if not sincere.”
Stiff, I lie there, on top of him, at the bottom of the stairs, and lose all the strength in my body.
For the moment, my issues feel distant. For the moment, I am untouchable. My mind is too full of real horrors to worry about the make believe.
His hold on me tightens, and his breath skates across my brow. “I love you, Azalea. Why are you fighting it? Why are you fighting me? I know it’s hard for you, but let’s think logically for a moment.”
I flinch. “How dare—”
“How dare I tell you the truth? How dare I challenge you? How dare I do exactly as I’m told? How dare Iwhat, dove? Tell me. What have I actually done to you that’s been so horrible?”
I bite my tongue. Because, right now, I haven’t a clue. The little things he’s done have been consistent, irritating, and nerve-wracking, but thinking back on it all feels so childish. Nothing he’s ever done would matter if I weren’t…me.
He murmurs, “That’s what I thought.” His lips press to my hair. Kiss. Then his nose nuzzles. “Talk to me. Tell me the truth.”
“So now you want to talk?” I force air through my lungs and words past my raw throat. “What about when I wanted to talklast night and you told me there was no fun in that? I know I’m weak and pathetic. I also know I’m a toy to you. I know I’m stuck playing your games. But why should I have to tell you anything when you won’t return the favor?”
Sitting up, he leans me back until I’m stretched out on the stairs, the hard corners of the steps biting into my body. Our gloved hands meet and kiss as he closes his fingers around mine and pulls my arms up above my head.
Dark, looming, and close, he takes me in. “Make me return the favor, then.”
“How?”
“Are you sure you don’t know?”
