Page 82 of A Wild Darkness

“Which one?”

“Torture.”

“Yeah, I guess so.” She laughs and takes a larger-than-average swig.

“I didn’t think they’d let you off the hook with that vague answer about your process,” I admit, swirling the red liquid. “But they did.”

Stevie sits on the white satin couch, crossing her legs under her. “I was nervous until you stepped in.”

I smile and take the spot across from her. “So was I.”

Her eyes flick to mine. “You spoke the truth, didn’t you?”

“I think you know the answer.”

We sit in silence for a beat.

“Why do you do what you do, Sebastian?” she asks earnestly. “Lux has told me a little about your and River’s upbringing and what happened to your parents, but why this?”

I’m unsure of how to respond, because no one has asked me a direct question like that before. I know it runs deeper than watching my parents get murdered as a young kid. I always felt this darkness inside me, one that is fueled by a vast belief in the injustice we see in everyday life.

Am I the only one who can provide it? No, but most, like those who are part of the Black Veil Society, lack the moral compass and self-control to do what my cousin and I do. We’re unique—anomalies.

I rub my palms back and forth on the tops of my thighs. “I do what I do because I have a desire to kill, Stevie. But I don’t believe in taking the lives of good, innocent people. So, I channel that hunger for something that benefits humanity and does not hurt it.”

“So, you only kill those who deserve it?”

“Yes. I believe in law enforcement and honest police work, but that’s only the start of justice,” I admit. “To me, justice begins and ends in a courtroom. When I began using Thompson Innovations’ resources to do research on how many predators get off with only serving minimal time or serving no time at all, I was outraged.”

Stevie nods in between sips of wine.

“Often, they walk free because of the charges being brought, loopholes in the system, or clerical errors. Or even sometimes, if the suspect is wealthy, they can get off, too. And that is where River and I come in.” I lean forward on bent knees. “We take out the trash.”

“Have you ever killed someone who was innocent?”

Valid question.

“Yes, but not by choice.”

Stevie gets up, walks up to the bar, and grabs the bottle of wine. Instead of pouring it into her empty glass, she chugs right from the source.

I release a full belly laugh that erupts into the room. “It’s going to be that sort of night, is it?”

She glides her tongue along the rim, making my dick jump. “It’s been a long evening.”

“Make sure you’re up for working tomorrow.” I lean back on the couch, letting one arm rest over the back. She rejoins me, but this time she sits on the seat cushion next to me.

“Should I be scared of you, Sebastian?” Stevie grips the base of the bottle with one hand and picks at the label with the other. She picks at things when she’s nervous.

Even though she knows she shouldn’t be frightened or worried, she wants verbal confirmation, and I understand her need for it. If she only knew how my affection toward her is changing.

I lean in, eating up the space between us. Then I take two fingers and gently lift her chin upward so our eyes connect. “You will never have to fear me. Because with me, you are the safest person on earth. If anyone ever tried to hurt you, I’d fucking kill them.”

Her lungs rise with a sharp breath.

Suddenly, a muffled voice cuts through the room.

“Is that from next door?” Stevie asks.