Page 44 of His Wicked Revenge

“You don’t do background checks?” I should have kept my mouth shut because this question could ruin everything.

“I already ran one.” She waves her hand to dismiss my worry. “What you did wasn’t violent in any way. I don’t see an issue with you living here.”

My brows raise at her comment. This is good to know. What is also fascinating is that she knows what I did, and she still looks at me like she wants to jump my bones.

“Do you need the deposit in the form of a check?”

“That would be ideal.”

“I’ll get it to you by the end of the day.”

“Great!” She claps at her job well done. “Once I have it, you can start moving your stuff in.”

Rachel grabs her things off the counter, and we head for the door. I open it, allowing her to go through it first. She thanks me while a blush grows on her cheeks, and when we step out, she sticks the key in the doorknob to lock it.

The sound of another door opening catches our attention. When we turn toward the noise, a woman stands across the hall with her door wide open.

Her feet are glued to the transition piece that separates the hallway and the hardwood floor in her apartment. She stares at me with large, brown eyes and brows dipping into confusion.

She looks from me to Rachel, who is standing beside me. Her mouth opens, then clamps shut, and she is unsure what to say.

“Hi, neighbor,” I smirk as Veronica’s skin grows pale at the knowledge I’ll live across from her.

“Hi, Camille!” Rachel beams and looks up at me. “I lied. Not all of our tenants are old! Camille is around the same age as us, but she keeps to herself.”

I offer her a kind smile and gaze back at the woman across the hall. “Yes, Camille is good at being by herself. Prefers it, actually.”

“Oh… you two know each other?” Rachel’s voice holds a hint of jealousy and what seems like worry.

“We go way back.” Veronica finally finds her voice.

“I see.” I can feel Rachel’s eyes dancing between us, but I keep my gaze on Veronica. “Well, I’ll let you two catch up! Leo, I’ll be waiting for that deposit.”

“I’ll have it to you by tonight,” I tell her while staring at Veronica and listening to Rachel walk away. I tilt my head to the side as I inspect Veronica’s eyes. “I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss the color of your real eyes.”

She looks at me with puzzlement, then lifts a hand to her face. She must have forgotten to put her contacts in this morning.

“What are you doing here, Leo?” She drops her hand, bringing both hands up to cross over her body.

“Thought it was obvious.” I gesture to the door behind me with my thumb. “I’m moving in.”

“Why?”

“Seeing as you inserted yourself into my life, unwanted, I thought I might do the same.”

“Who said I didn’t want you in my life?” Her arms tighten around herself.

“You’re gonna wish you didn’t.” I flash her a dark smirk, turn on my heels, and walk down the hallway, leaving her alone.

CHAPTER 21

Leo

A few days after meeting with Rachel and handing in my deposit, I had fully moved into the apartment. Given that I didn’t have much stuff to bring, it was quick and easy.

I bought all new furniture, not wanting to move my childhood belongings here. Chloe and my father were kind enough to gift me anything I might have needed.

Luckily, everything we got was delivered within two days, and I’m all set.