Page 69 of His Wicked Revenge

My eyes are on the ground, where I just threw the plate at him, but I scan them up his body. He’s only in boxers and no shirt. I halt my scanning when I reach his stomach—the spot where I stabbed him, more specifically.

There is a scar from my knife and the surgery he had, and it is in the shape of an X. I bring my hand to my stomach, palm lying flat over the X he left on me. It almost looks the exact same.

“Now we are bonded forever.” His voice is raspy and low because he had been asleep. “Romantic, right?”

I move my eyes up to his face, which is now closer. When did he leave his spot? His body is almost touching mine. I can feel the heat rolling off his skin and enveloping me in flames.

In a quick motion, I reach for another plate, but he is faster. As soon as it is in my grasp, Leo’s hand wraps around my bicep, and he tugs me roughly against him.

His front meets my back, and with his other hand, his fingers dig into my wrist, stopping me from destroying another plate. I attempt to raise my arm but don’t get far.

“If you drop it, you’ll regret it,” he warns with a deep tone in my ear.

“According to you, I’m going to regret many things.” I wet my lips and loosen my fingers' hold on the plate. “What’s one more?”

It falls from my hand and shatters onto the floor. Before Leo can say anything, I stomp on his foot, making him release me.

I dart out of his way, about to round the corner of the island, when I slip a knife out of the wooden block on his counter. The sound of metal sliding out of its home echoes through the kitchen.

With my fingers clasped around the handle, I position myself on the other side of the island. Leo stares at me with his hands slightly raised.

“What are you going to do? Stab me again?”

Shaking my head, I slide my eyes to his living room and find two pillows on his couch. Without a second thought, I rush over to the pillows and immediately stab one. I drag the knife down until I’m satisfied with the size of the wound.

“Like I said, returning the favor.” I chuck the pillow somewhere behind me and go to grab the other one.

Before I can, Leo is behind me. Strong arms envelop me, and I can feel his muscles flex around my body. Like a snake wrapping around its prey. One encircles itself around my waist while the other yanks my arm with the knife down to my side.

“It’s after midnight, and you’re going to cause a disturbance, Veronica.” The warning comes out harshly. “The neighbors could wake up⁠—”

I thrash myself in his hold as I interrupt him, “Everyone who lives here is old. They’re practically already sleeping with the dead.”

“There is a possibility one of them could wake up,” he hisses through his teeth as his hold on me strengthens. “And if they do, they will call the cops.”

My body freezes against him, and my heart starts to beat erratically.

“If the cops come, then what’s to stop me from telling them who you are?” Leo brushes the tip of his nose along my temple.

“You said you wouldn't.”

“It’s easy for a mind to change.” I feel the pressure of his fingers digging roughly into my side. The pain begins to erase my anger, but I try my best to hold on to the emotion. “Maybe I’m sick of having you around and planning this revenge. What if I want to call the cops? Matter of fact⁠—”

He releases me and stalks into his bedroom.

“What are you doing?” I crane my neck to peek in there, but it’s too dark to see anything.

Leo walks into the doorway but doesn't go all the way through. He leans against it and stares at his phone.

“Calling the cops,” he tells me without looking in my direction. “You broke into my apartment and destroyed my things.”

“You did the same thing.”

“But you didn’t call the police.” He shrugs.

“I-I didn’t—” I stutter, unsure of what to say.

I didn’t call because I would have been stupid to do so. I might as well have just turned myself in. And Leo’s easily willing to do that now. But then again, he hasn’t made the call. The beating in my chest eases a bit.