Page 11 of Vicious Little Darling

“Fine,” I tell him, shooting him a grin. “How’s your life, Jett?”

“Fine,” he laughs. “Hit me up for a smoke later, yeah?”

“Got it,” I give him a thumbs up and trot to the elevator. I press the penthouse level and slip inside, tapping my foot against the floor. Ireallywant to be set up at that coffee shop, watching Ember—and making sure no one gets to her before me.

I’d hate to think about what I’d have to do.

Excitement pulses through my chest as I step off the elevator and head for the apartment door. I punch in the code and step inside, breathing in the scent of vanilla and lavender. It’s supposed to be calming, but it sure as hell doesn’t feel that way. I drop my backpack on the kitchen counter and head for the desk, where my laptop sits. I sit down and flip it open.

I need to figure out Ember’s details. Does she have parents close by? Who is that buff friend of hers? And what about the guy who works with her? He was out with her last night, too. She’s surrounded by men.

I don’t like that. It could create a challenge.

“Not that I’m opposed to that,” I say to myself. I pause as I pull up my fake online profile. I don’t have her last name, so it’s going to take some leg work to get it done. First, I hunt down the page for the business,Hidden Books,and then scroll through the posts, searching for anything with her in it.

There’s nothing.

Fuck.I go back to the most recent post, and then click to see who liked it. Sure enough, there’sEmber Thatcher.What a fucking name. I curl my lip in disgust. Her last name would sound much better asMarks.Ember Marks.

Yeah, I like that.

I run my tongue over my bottom lip at the thought. I’veneverput my last name with a victim’s. I’m a psycho, but I’m not delusional when it comes to the women I hunt and kill.

I double click on her profile picture, pulling up a photo of her. It’s just a headshot, showing off her pretty hazel eyes and olive skin.

My cock goes rigid as I click through the photos, and finally I land on a full-body shot. She’s got her hip cocked out to the side, standing there with that brawny friend of hers. Before I give in and start jacking off, I spot him tagged in the image. Instant cockblock.

I click his profile. “Josh,” I grunt. “What a cliché name.” I scroll through his page, seeing mostly photos of Josh and Ember. Every one of his profile pictures includes her, and honestly, if I didn’t have a good idea that they’re just friends, based on her page, I’d think they were a couple based on his.

He likes her more than a friend would.Jealousy rears in my chest. I’ve never stalked a girl like Ember. I’ve stalked girls who have boyfriends, plenty who fuck around constantly, but I’ve never targeted someone who seems so closed off. Besides, this Josh guy is conventionally attractive. I’m sure he has no problem getting pussy…

Just not hers.

I bite back a laugh. I don’t know this guy, but I do know that I’m going to get the one thing he can’t seem to nab. I like the feeling of winning, but I also have a good feeling this guy might get in my way. He seems too protective. Too caring.

I rub my hands together, before spending the next hour going through everything on Ember’s profile. It’s not much. She keeps most of her shit private, and I’m not ready to add her as a friend yet. She’s too unnerved right now to accept a request from a stranger.

Which is the perfect time to strike her apartment. I scoot back from the desk.

Let the games begin, Ember.

I’m coming for that pretty little brain of yours.

Chapter Six

EMBER

“Glad you’re letting me get your lunch,” Josh says as we stand outside the food truck. “It’s the least I can do.”

I bite down on my lip, waiting on our order of street tacos. I usually offer to pay for my own, and then fight with him over it. Today, though, I’m spaced out, still trying to shake that stupid, creepy skeleton mask.Nothingcan get it out of my head.

“Hey,” Josh nudges me, “Em?”

I jerk my head up. “Yeah, sorry? What?”

“Are you okay? You seem really off today.” His expression is one of concern as he studies my face.

“I just…” My voice trails off, and then I finally suck it up. “I think you’re right about me moving. Maybe I do need to live in a better part of town.”

---