Page 147 of The Villain

South

I glance up from my phone as he rolls over from one side to the other. He reaches out and runs a hand over the sheets. His body slowly stiffens up as he clenches the fabric in a tight fist.

I watch as Shade struggles with some emotion I don’t recognize, his face not covered by the blank mask. His eyes are shut tight as his jaw clenches.

“Evie?” He calls out in a pained tone.

“Yes?” I raise a brow.

His eyes pop open and he turns to stare at me in surprise.

“What the fuck are you doing down there?”

“Watching you sleep,” I shrug and scroll through the pictures to the one I like best. I crawl from the foot of the bed to lie on my belly next to him and hold it out.

He scowls at the picture of him smiling in his sleep and starts scrolling, his eyes widening the further he goes. He taps a few buttons and chokes on air.

“How many pictures of me do you have?”

I take the phone, curious myself. He’s looking at the folder and the total is on the bottom.

“Seven hundred thirty-six.”

He doesn’t have anything to say about it.

“Look at this one,” I pull up one of my favorites. “How did I get you to be this happy? I want to do it again.”

“I don’t remember,” he says in a soft tone. He looks dazed.

I nod, a little disappointed.

“Do you want to stay home today or get a phone and your furniture?”

“How about a phone and stay home after? I liked our anime marathon.”

“Me too,” I agree and roll out of bed to get ready. “I have a request.”

“What is it?” He looks amazed at the news and gathers up some clothes to change.

“One of the assholes told me he had photos of you. Can you delete them or should I ask Tera to?”

“What?” He sounds pissed.

“I don’t like him having them and gouging his eyes out will upset Tera. I wanted to ask you first in case you were naked in any of them. I don’t think she could stomach it.”

“Consider it fucking done, baby.”

“I appreciate it,” I give him a feral grin. “But not really. I was hoping you’d say no so I could kill him.”

“Can I borrow your phone?” He asks me in a tight voice.

“Of course,” I hand it over and finish dressing as he makes a call.

“Get them out of here now.”

It’s the only thing he says before he hangs up. My eyes narrow on him as my smile gets wider.

“They can run all they want. I’ll find them.”

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