Page 124 of The Villain

He wants someone who won’t let go when he loses his shit. I want a picture of his face when he realizes that I’m going to win this one.

He falls asleep pretty quickly afterwards. His weight becoming an unwieldy block that makes me hiss out a laugh. No matter how many times I clear my throat he remains asleep, which is impressive. I spend my time running my hands over him and making a plan for the day.

When he wakes again it’s ten and I need to pee.

“Good morning,” he mumbles, perfectly content now that he’s had his little moment of panic.

“Bathroom,” I hiss back and he glances up, startled.

“Shit, sorry baby,” He straightens quickly while I silently laugh.

I lean close to press a lingering kiss on his lips to show him I’m not upset about it and go to the restroom.

By the time I’m back he’s relaxed on the couch in the same pose he had yesterday. Despite his body’s loose sprawl his face is tense as he waits for whatever reaction he’s expecting to his meltdown.

I straddle his lap and wrap my arms over his shoulders.

“Phone?” I try out the word and end up clearing my throat.

“You should have woken me up,” he glares and I press a kiss to his scowling lips.

“Phone. A tea. Relaxing day.”

He looks at me in disbelief. I settle my weight on his thighs and lean back to watch his expression.

“I need to tell you something.”

He sounds very serious right now. He’s not relaxing at all.

His hands slide up to my wrists and pull my hands from around his neck into my lap, holding them there. I raise a brow at the move, not exactly pleased about it but interested to see where this is going.

It isn’t until my eyes meet his that I hear the distinct sound of handcuffs being fastened. The weight of the metal is warm from his body. How long was he hiding them? The grated sound comes again and the weight becomes heavier as he tugs his arm. Showing me that I’m handcuffed to him.

Interesting. But it doesn’t tell me what he needs from me. Obviously he thinks I’m about to run.

When I don’t have a reaction to the dramatics he leans back with a sigh and rubs a hand over his face.

“I just want to make sure you stick around for the whole thing.”

I nod placidly and run my fingers over his lips. His eyes flick to mine, almost disbelieving but not quite.

“You’ve seen my, I guess business is the best way to say it.”

His kill list. I nod as I follow along. He’s so warm when I touch his cheek. He has a red imprint where his face was nestled into my chest.

“I’m not the only one.”

He pauses as if I’m supposed to fall apart with dramatics. I’m just trying to be patient so he’ll get to the point.

“I got paid for it.”

My lack of reaction is beginning to irritate him.

“And the team I was with are the same.”

That’s hard to believe. I can’t picture them as an effective team in any capacity. Has Shade been keeping them alive?

“My dad is my boss.”

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