“For you. I had it custom-made. I… thought you might like to wear it to dinner,” he says, unable to look at me. He seems nervous—but why?
At that moment, I understand the emotion that I was feeling earlier.Love. I’m falling in love with Seven.
Though the realization should fill me with horror, the only thing I feel is a deep desire to reach out, to give myself to Seven fully. I shouldn’t, but I find myself whispering, “I would love to.”
“Beautiful.” Seven’s eyes rake hungrily up and down my body, taking in my dress and how it clings to my curves.
He’s dressed in a dark navy suit cut perfectly to fit his broad shoulders, the color bringing out the red in his eyes. With a sexy grin, Seven holds his arm out for me to take, and my heart hammers as my hand makes contact. Never taking his eyes off me, Seven leads me to the elevator, pressing the button for the floor two levels above.
Once the doors open, he leads me down a hallway into what I assume was once a large apartment. It’s been renovated to look more like a restaurant, with a full kitchen in the back and a white tablecloth-covered dining table in the center of the room. Candles have been placed around the space, giving it a romantic feel, and the smell wafting from the oven is heavenly.
“Wow,” I whisper. “This is… did you do all this yourself?”
“Of course,” he says, like it’s the simplest thing in the world. “I’ve personally done all the renovations to the building. I wouldn’t trust anyone else to put as much care into it as I would. That, and I have a hard time trusting people in general.”
He pulls out my seat, and I slip into the chair, a shiver running down my neck at the feel of Seven so close to me. He reaches out, brushing my hair over my shoulder, careful not to make direct contact with my skin.
He sits opposite me, offering a wide smile, and I’m struck by how much he reminds me of Archer.Because heisArcher,I tell myself.Or rather, Archer was just a character he was playing to stay close to me.
I lower my eyes to my plate, and my mouth waters at the sight of the roast sitting in front of me. The meat looks cookedto perfection, and there’s a bountiful helping of carrots and potatoes to go along with the tender roast.
“Please. Eat.” Seven gestures to my plate.
Not needing any more convincing, I pick up my fork and devour the delicious meal. We eat in silence for the majority of the time, but I know without looking that Seven’s attention is focused solely on me.
It makes me feel excited and a little scared. I can’t help but think it’s odd how Seven is being so nice after what he’s put me through, and I can’t shake the paranoia that something bad is going to happen.
“You know…” I stab a carrot with my fork. “Saffron is probably looking for me. By now, the police will be, too. Even if they’re not directly looking forme,they’ve been searching high and low for Red 7 ever since you killed the mayor’s son. When they track you down, they’ll find me.”
He stiffens. “Theywon’tfind you. Or me.”
I shrug, placing the carrot in my mouth. Flavor explodes on my tongue, and I resist the urge to moan. “They might. I know we’re still in Moriton, so it’s not like they have to look very far.”
“How do you know we’re in Moriton?”
“I didn’t. But now I do.”
He grins, a dark chuckle shaking his chest as he leans forward. “It doesn’t make a difference. You’remine,Grace. I don’t want anyone else to have you, to hurt you—and no one will. You’re safe here now, with me.”
“It's a little ironic to say I’msafewhen you’re a serial killer.”
His jaw muscle jumps, and his fist curls tighter around the handle of his fork. “I already told you. I have no desire to hurt you—not like that.”
“Just in different ways where I don’t end up dead, right?”
His lips tip in a dark smile, and he seems to relax despite the animalistic glint in his eyes. “It seems like youreallywant to go back in the cage…”
I swallow hard, the blood draining from my face. “No, wait! I’m done. Look—eating all my veggies, being good like you asked.”
His chest shakes with a silent chuckle, and he goes back to eating his dinner. I stare at him for a few moments, my heart hammering against my rib cage—so powerfully, I’m sure Seven can hear it. For a little while, I forgot Seven is not this charming, caring persona he puts on. He’s still a monster, and if I don’t get out soon, he’ll devour me. Soul, and all.
While he’s not looking, I slide my salad fork up the sleeve of my dress, tucking it away where he won’t notice it.
Just in case I find an opportunity to use it…
When we’re done with dinner, Seven pours me a glass of red wine—my favorite, of course—and busies himself with cleaning the dishes. By the time I’ve finished my glass, he’s at my side, pulling my chair out and helping me to stand.
“I’d like to show you something, if you’re up for it,” he offers, the picture of chivalry.
