Page 56 of Vicious Little Darling

“I don’t care.”

“What?” He turns to me as the elevator dings and the doors open.

“I don’t care,” I repeat as we step out into the hallway. “I don’t care if you’re a hitman or whatever. This is the safest I’ve ever felt, and no, it’s not about the money. I don’t care about the money. It’s justyou.I like you.”

He nods, a slight smile pulling at his lips. “Ilikeyou, too, and if that’s the case, then I’ll probably take the job. My inheritance won’t last forever, but…” His voice trails off as he punches in the code and pushes the door in. “…I want us to.”

My heart jumps to my throat. “You got serious really fast.”

“Isn’t there a saying for that?” he jokes, shutting the door behind us.

“When you know, you know,” I finish, smiling. Before I can say anything else, his phone rings. He pulls it out and shows me the screen. It’s his uncle.

“I’ll be back.” He answers the call and slips out onto the balcony. I take the opportunity to pull my own phone out of my pocket andI see a text from Megan.

Megan: Josh was found dead.

A lump forms in my throat, and I hit the call button beside her name, taking off up the stairs so I can speak in privacy.

“It’s crazy,” Megan says into the phone as soon she answers. “Although that prick had it coming. They say he got a couple of shots right into the crotch. Found him on display outside of a gay bar.”

Xander did it.The thought shocks me, but something in my gut believes it. After all, wejusthad a conversation about him being a fucking hitman. Wouldn’t it make sense? Should I call the police? I wait for my body to start to shake with grief.

But there’s nothing. Nothing but relief—relief that Josh is gone from my life, and I don’t have to worry about him anymore. I squeeze my eyes shut, and breathe out a sigh.

“I guess he did have it coming.”

“That’s what I’m saying,” Megan exclaims. “I’m so glad you get that. I was so worried it would upset you and send you spiraling.”

I shake my head. “I might be really fucked up, but I don’t… I don’t care.” The realization that I might be a little darker than I ever thought slips into my mind. I fucked the psycho that tried to kill me—and it still turns me on to think about it. Also, Xander being a hitman? My thighs clench.

That’s hot, too.

A stilted laugh slips from my lips. “I’m actually relieved,” I admit. “That sounds so bad.”

“No, it doesn’t sound bad at all,” Megan reassures me. I stop outside of one of the doors. I haven’t ever been to the second floor, so I turn the knob and peer inside. It’s clearly Xander’s bedroom.

I go to open the door the rest of the way, but it comes to a hard stop, as if something is blocking it. I frown, and then look around the door. Shock rolls through my body.

Holy fucking shit.

“I have to go. I’ll call you later.” I hang up, nearly dropping the phone as I stare at the skull-faced mask laying on top of a pile of familiar black hoodies.

‘The irony’is what Xander’s uncle had remarked, when he mentioned keeping me safe as his priority. It confused me at the time, but now I understand. Ireallyfucking understand.

And to make it all the more confusing, my pussyacheswith arousal.

“Ember?” Xander’s voice echoes through the penthouse, causing my heart to pick up its pace.

Is he planning to kill me?

No, he would’ve done that already.

But didn’t he try?

I back out of the room and turn to leave, but freeze as Xander appears at the end of the hallway, blocking the exit.

“Hey,” I croak out but, his expression remains unmoving. As I take in his shape, it all comes together, the way he’s built, the familiar scent of him.

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