Page 42 of Playing for the Dark

I raise one of my brows, but she raises both of hers in competition, not backing down from me, and fuck if that doesn’t have my dick alert and ready to go. “That’s my nickname for you.” Is all I say before turning around like a pouting child heading to the kitchen.

“Jealousy looks hot as fuck on you, Cello.”Fuck, her calling me Cello itches something in my brain that I didn’t know I needed. I’ve missed her so fucking much, but I feel like I’m around her all the time, just without her being coherent for it.You know, for her safety.

I look over my shoulder at her, distracting her from my behavior; she can’t know I have the feelings I do for her. We can never be together, but that doesn’t mean someone else will bring that smile to her lips or that laugh I would sell my soul to hear. “I have Noah at your apartment now installing state-of-the-art cameras to ensure you two will be safe. I’m also assigning my best guards to help keep you safe.” Her mouth opens like she wants to argue. “You will be safe no matter what, Elle; I’m not letting this piece of shit around you. Whoever it is.”

Goddamn, I really am a sick fuck.

1Oh, my sweet Ellie, bloodying up my white underwear I bought her. She did it right on camera for me. I scrolled back the surveillance feed to when she woke up. I’m curious to see if she liked her new ones or not, and I would take that as a yes. She’s looking really pissed off doing this out of spite, but little does she know that blood of hers is so pretty.

She’s at work now, so I’m going to pop into her apartment and grab those panties that aremine.

I unlock her door with the key I had made and walk right to her room. It’s late, Blair’s here, but from what Noah said, she’s sleeping. I need to make sure his ass isn’t catching feelings for my niece. I’ll be busting some faces in if that’s the case. He’s been very adamant about watching her, making sure she’s “safe” even though he knows I’m the stalker.

Stealthily, I walk to her bedroom door, which is shut. I head straight for her dirty clothes basket where I know my prized possessionsare going to be. I quickly dump all its contents onto the floor and rummage through the dirty clothes, but I don’t see them anywhere. I know for a fact she didn’t wear them after making them a complete mess for me this morning. I probably should’ve kept watching the video to see what she did after she pulled them off, but I was too busy coming in my hand… I do love a good hunt.

I look around and see the lacesitting on her desk.Jackpot. She even left me a note with them.

I whisper to myself, “Oh,Ragazza Dolce,you think this was a hit to me? I love blood, but yours…” I grunt while rubbing them down my clothed dick and then stuff them into my pocket for safe keeping. Grabbing the pen sitting beside the note, I scribble another note back.

I could get used to this.

I’m pulling my phone out to send my interior designer a picture of the stained underwear. I want to be reminded of Ellie and her beautiful blood anytime I’mlooking at the walls in my bedroom. My designer knows not to ask questions; she’s paid too well to give a fuck.

It’s just past midnight now; Ellie had to go into Shenanigans for a shift alone again. I’m trying to finish up here so I can be there when she gets off. I’m working in my office at Sins, doing all the paperwork you wouldn’t think a leader of a mafia business would need to do. However, most of my businesses are legal, which makes them a pain in the ass. The mafia side comes out when we don’t get what we’re owed or the person is so shitty we have no other option. That is always my favorite route; we take a piece of shit off the street and give their organs to people in need. It’s a win-win situation, in my very humble opinion.

Noah comes strolling into the office without even knocking, as usual. He’s not your typical hacker with the innocent looks and cowering personality. No, the complete opposite. This fucker would be scary if I weren’t who I am. He’s a good six three, bulky like he spends every waking moment he’s not behind his computers in the gym lifting, and covered in tattoos—some places even all the way blacked out. He has short, buzzed hair and always has a bandana around his forehead. Add allhis piercings and he has me questioning things about myself sometimes. I keep it professional between us, but he’s a flirt and knows it.

“Boss Daddy, what’s poppin’?” I swear to fuck. I’ll knock his teeth in.

“Noah, what the hell have I told you about the ‘Boss Daddy’ shit?”

“So you can just be Daddy, okay, cool cool.” He pauses for a minute, and I roll my eyes just basking in the silence, praying to the gates of hell that he’s not stomping in here with bad news. “There’s been movement at Shenanigans.”

I’m up out of my seat before I can even think about anything else.

He tries to soothe me, standing up too. “Calm down, Rhett’s there watching the building.”

I pull my Glock out of my shoulder holster, putting the gun to his head. “You’re working with the traitors?”

This certifiable fuck is just smiling with a gun to his head.

He takes a serious tone when he finally answers me. “You know better, Boss; I would never cross you. You saved me and let me become who I truly wanted to be.” I got him out of one of the worst religious cults I’d seen in a while, and we haven’t looked back since. He knew a lot when I found him, but I’ve had him trained with some of the dirtiest hackers money can buy.

I holster my gun back up and flop back in my chair; Noah follows suit.

“Does Rhett have what he needs there?” I need to call Lev and see what else he’s found out now that he’s not with the Russians anymore. I’ve sent him on a scavenger hunt to figure out who else is fucking with my shit and who thinks they can smuggle in women and children under my nose.

He just nods, and I let out a breath. This sure as fuck isn’t going to stop me from going to sit in the bar parking lot to make sure she’s okay. I make a mental note to call Charlie in the morning to offer more than I did last time. Hopefully the old fart will sell the place to me, finally.

Noah’s at the door, most likely going back to his computers, but calls out over his shoulder, “Next time you have a gun to my head, my cock will need to be out… Daddy."

Goddammit. I’m already dealing with two too many cocks as it is.

1. Skin and Bones - David Kushner

Chapter 32

Ellinor

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