Page 49 of Vicious Little Darling

Fuck, I’m going soft…

But only for Ember.

“What do you think I should do?” she asks it in a meek voice, like she’s looking to me for guidance. For the first time in my life, I feel as if someone trusts me to be in control.

“I think…” My voice trails off as I navigate my way through the city. “I think that you should let karma handle it. I’m sure he’ll get what’s coming to him.”

She falls silent in the seat beside me, and then angles her body toward me. “You don’t think he’ll try to come and find me? He knows where I work…”

I shrug. “He won’t be able to touch you again, Ember. I’ll take care of you, I promise. No one will touch you but me.”

Her cheeks turn a deep shade of red, and my cock hardens at the sight. It’s amazing the things that this woman can do to me. I’ve never wanted to keep someone alive so bad—and now I just have to handle all my shit so it can stay that way. Well, that and Josh. That asshole is gonna have to go.

And I’ll enjoy every fucking second of it.

Every. Fucking. Second.

“Do you want to stop and grab some food?” I throw the offer out there at her continued silence, trying to gauge how she’s feeling. “If you’re hungry…”

“I’m okay,” she says, letting out a sigh. “If anything I’d like a bit of normalcy. I really wanted to go to work today, but Josh said he called in sick for me.”

I grit my teeth, not wanting her to go to work, but also… As long as I take care of Josh pronto, then she should be safe. I mean, I knew something was wrong with that Josh guy the moment I interviewed with him. He worked way too hard to act like a damned saint.

“I can tell Rich not to let Josh in,” Ember says, squeezing my hand.

Nodding, I take a right to turn around and head back in the direction of the bookstore. “If you want to go to work, then you should. I’ll pick you up when your shift is over. I don’t think Josh will bother you there, but he might once you’re off work.”

“That sounds fair.” She smiles up at me softly. “I just can’t believe that I’ve told you all my secrets, and youstillwant me.”

My stomach rolls with guilt. “Everyone has things in their life that they aren’t proud of, or that maybe don’t represent them in the best way. I don’t know.” I shake my head, wondering if it’s possible to hide my dark secret from her forever. I’mobsessedwith Ember—but I don’t know what would happen if she walked away.

Keeping her alive might not matter so much.

I rub the back of my neck, desperate to relieve the tension, as I put the car in park outside of the bookstore. “Do you want me to walk you in? I don’t mind.”

She shakes her head. “Megan is probably working today, and I’m already going to have to explain so much to her. I’m not ready to explain you, as well—I mean, introduce you. I’ll have to explain you in order to—”

I cut her off with my mouth, giving her the best fucking goodbye kiss that I can manage. Going up against women is one thing, but going up against brawny Josh… I don’t know what kind of fight I’m in for.

Ember lets a light moan out in my mouth and as I break the kiss, she looks up at me with lust sparkling in her eyes. “You’re kissing me as if you’re not going to see me again.”

I chuckle, running the pad of my thumb along her jaw. “No, Ember. I’m kissing you as if I don’t want you to forget how fucking amazing we are together.”

She rolls her swollen lips and then lightly brushes them once more across my mouth. “Good, because you’re the only good thing I have now.”

A lump forms in my throat as I manage to mutter, “Me, too.”

Then, she releases my hand and slides out of the car, giving me a wave as she jogs up to the front door of the bookstore. I watch her walk in; my eyes stuck on the door long after she’s gone. A rush of emotion sweeps through me after our encounter, and I can’t believe what’s happened…

I’vefallenfor Ember.

I pull out my phone as I head back in the direction of the bar. I’m sure Josh is probably thinking that cops will be showing up, and unlike most, my guess is he’s going to play the “her word against mine”card. It’s a solid one to use in this instance—other than the ripped shirt. Ember being worried about crying wolf is a real possibility, and I’m certain Josh will use that to his advantage.

I park down the side of the bar where the car can’t be seen from inside. I scroll through my contacts. There’s one person who needs to know what I’m about to do—and why.

“Jax,” my uncle answers. “How nice of you to finally call. Pitman said you had a decent session.”

“Uh, not sure if I’d go that far with it,” I tell him, letting out a chuckle. “But actually there’s something you need to know.”

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