Page 70 of Lady Killer

Once again treading in his wake, I stepped into the room.

It was transformed.

The formerly cold gray walls were now a warm, creamy white. Thick sage-green curtains hanging from aged brass fixtures shaded the floor-to-ceiling windows. To my left, a large four-poster with simple lines sat against a wall, covered in layered sheets of linen with stacks of vintage pillows and a simple yet elegant cream quilt.

“Everest, it’s gorgeous,” I whispered, as though it were a confession.

He beamed. “I’d like to take credit for it, darling, but it was Sir Stoic.” He winked.

“Wait, what—‍”

“So, what do you think, Starbright, are you ready?”

“Ready? For what?”

“To have a little fun.”

Chapter twenty-one

Luz

“Fun?”

“Yes, love. Fun,” Everest said, prowling closer.

Acid churned in my gut.

Despite my bravado, Alister’s word had stuck with me, the familiar pang of guilt returning.

Women were dead and missing, and somehow, all of it was linked to me.

“It’s getting late.” I moved toward the dresser to unpackmy things.

I was here to protect Autumn and find the killer. Fun didn’t factor into it.

A lean but steely arm wrapped around me. “Au contraire,” he whispered in my ear, grabbing my hand to spin me out dramatically as if we were ballroom dancing, before snapping me back tight against his chest and shifting his hips into mine.

“All the best things happen in the dark, and we’re just getting started, so, in fact, it’s early.” He started to move his feet, and his hands went to my shoulders and waist as he began to effortlessly lead me in a waltz . . .

“Where did you learn to dance like this?”

Oh, the devil liked that.

“Prep school. I went to Gravenhurst, the best of the best, along with Lucian.”

“Ah,” I said, “another poor little rich boy.”

Two steps forward, one step backward. . .

“Not quite, I was a scholarship student.” Everest raised one arm to twirl me around. “Know anyone else like that, darling?”

I scoffed. “And you think that means we’re the same?”

“Not at all, Starbright. Similar in some respects.” His hand around my waist tightened, and he circled his hips into me suggestively. “But the same, no.”

“What are you doing?” Alister’s voice broke through my reverie like a record screeching. My feet became lead, and I stumbled, forcing Everest to keep me upright.

“I’m dancing with our girl, Ali, what’s it look like?”

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