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“You’re the one who dragged me here instead of listening to me like a normal human being. So I should be the one asking you what you’re doing.”
“After you made quite a scene downstairs, you left me no choice, kitten.” He goes to the bar, snatching a whiskey bottle from it and pouring himself a drink. “I can’t have you hysterical in my club.” He takes a sip, his Adam’s apple bobbing, and his nonchalant tone grits on my nerves. “It’s bad business.”
“Well, excuse me for not being more understanding,” I deadpan, and his lips curve in a smile. “I have no time to waste. Since a serial killer is chasing me and all.” Anger flashes in his gaze. He clearly doesn’t appreciate the sarcasm in my voice, but I’m beyond caring at this point. And did he just call me kitten? “I’m tired of your hot-and-cold attitude. Just answer my simple question. Why did he send me the box with your name on it? And you won’t ever have to see me again.”
“I thought you got all your answers.” My brow furrows at this, but thankfully, he elaborates. “The video you sent to all of us is self-explanatory of why he wrote my name.” He takes another long sip. “So it’s me who is tired of you sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong and endangering your life.”
He rolls up his sleeves, exposing more of his arms and those deep veins I wish to trace with my fingers.
Among other things.
I shake my head, awed by the audacity of this man. “What are you talking about?”
He clicks his tongue. “Now, kitten. Let’s not play a guessing game. Your blackmail tactic was amusing but stupid. Especially when you tried to blackmail one of us.” Darkness settles in his features as I gape at him in shock. “My friends are vicious creatures. It’s better not to provoke them or me.”
“I never blackmailed any of you. What kind of information could I use anyway?” A humorless chuckle slips past my lips. “You’re all untouchable. Besides, you banned me from all your buildings, so it’s not like I have access to you or your friends.”
He finishes his drink and rests his back on the bar, studying me for several beats. A shiver rushes down my spine when rage blankets his gaze and vibrates from him, warning me to stay away or else it might swallow me whole like a rapidly falling snowball destroying everything in its wake. “You really have no idea what I’m talking about.” I jerk when he bangs his fist on the bar. “Fuck.”
I blink several times and gasp when realization hits me. “Someone tried to blackmail you all with some kind of video and put my name on it?”
“Not someone. The Church Killer.” Familiar panic swipes over me, coldness sinking into my bones, and I cross my arms, desperately wishing to protect myself from this murderer's intent on ruining my life. “Which means he’s escalating.”
For whatever reason, he seems to want me to be with Octavius, and our behavior goes against his plans, so he doesn’t even mind creating a scenario where the dark four might punish me as long as it serves his purpose.
When a predator doesn’t mind putting his own prey in danger, it means they’re losing their mind, and it’s rather depressing for me.
God only knows what he will come up with next to make me dance to his tune.
“What was on that video?”
“Once upon a time, I crossed him, and the video shows how.”
“So you know him?” My throat becomes so tight I can barely breathe. “You know who he is?”
“No. I have no idea who he is, but I’ll find out. No one fucks like that with me and mine.”
If he were talking about me, I’d feel so cherished and protected because so much promise coats his words, leaving no doubt he will achieve what he set himself up to do. However, even through this haze he always manages to create around me, common sense pushes in. “What do you mean you don’t know who he is? If you crossed him, you must know him.”
“Life is a bit more complicated, kitten.” He straightens up and puts the glass away, motioning for the door. “You need to leave. I gave you an answer, so stay away from me. I’ll handle it. Just stay fucking put.”
Ignoring the pain from yet another rejection, I shake my head. “You’re lying to me. There is something you’re not telling me.”
“I don’t owe you an explanation, kitten.” He sucks in a breath through his teeth. “We’ve wasted enough time on this. I won’t change my mind, and I don’t recommend going against my word. Don’t ever step on my properties again.” He turns around, grabbing the door handle. “Otherwise, you’ll only feed his delusions and escalate his madness.”
“Stop calling me that!” I yell at him, fed up with everyone’s elusive bullshit. My anger comes right back to me, making me say things I shouldn’t. “I’ll do whatever I want, and I don’t need your permission to seek the truth or fight against a man who probably wants to kill me.” I march toward the door as he looks over his shoulder. “Don’t worry, Octavius. I won’t waste any more of your precious time. You can go now and fuck whoever you want. Clearly, you’re in a hurry.”
My gasp echoes in the air when he grabs me and pushes at me until my back hits the window. He splays his hands on either side of my head, caging me in while his brown eyes glisten with fire. Searing heat travels through my entire system at his nearness. “Step away,” I order, placing my palm on his chest and swallowing when his muscles ripple at the contact. “Our conversation is over.” I need to get the hell out of this club and forget all these people exist so I can focus on my miserable life.
“It was Monday. You wore a black jogging suit that has seen better days.” I blink in confusion. “You stopped by the ice cream parlor on the way and ordered three vanilla scoops. You gave it to a kid nearby who kept on staring at the ice cream and desperately counting his coins.” I vaguely remember what he’s talking about. “Ask me how long ago that was.”
The energy around us shifts, becoming more electrified, and the idea that anyone glancing up could see us in such an intimate position sends fear and trepidation through me. I push at his chest, shaking my head and refusing to be pulled into his tempting and confusing haze once again. Because it always has the same ending.
He bursts the bubble of his creation with the sharpest needle and leaves me alone in it. “I don’t care. Step away.” He stays unmovable, and I push again, only to fist his shirt when he doesn’t budge. “Step away, Octavius!”
“Ask me.” His voice drops to a hushed whisper as I stare at his buttons, my heartbeat speeding up while goose bumps break on my skin as if signaling my doom, alerting me not to indulge in my illusions and run.
Run before he hurts me further, but the stupid and curious me, fascinated by the man, asks. “How long ago was that?”
