Page 34 of The Cute Psycho

"Lina," I start when she answers. "Something bad happened..."

8

SISI

Staying away from the crowd that's already formed in front of the church, I keep pacing around waiting for Lina and Marcello to arrive.

I must admit that I've missed her so much that when I get her phone call that she's arrived, I'm over the moon. It's been too long since I've seen her, and I can't help the happiness that blooms inside my chest.

"Lina?" I spot her in the distance and I run toward her. "Oh, Lina! I missed you!" She takes me in her arms, her hand caressing my back affectionately.

"Sisi, are you okay?" she asks, and for a moment I just close my eyes, simply soaking in her presence.

I nod, but taking a step back, I realize she's not alone.

"Marcello? And..." I swing my gaze at the newcomer, struck by his lethal aura.

He's big, just as tall as Marcello, and with a physique to rival my brother's. It's all well hidden beneath his immaculate suit, but there's no mistaking the way his shoulders bulge under the material. There's tension radiating off him in spite of the mask of cordiality that seems to be in place.

Rehearsed. Too rehearsed.

I should know, I've done it too many times.

"Vlad," he introduces himself, his voice deep and raspy. As he talks, his smile is a little too wide and not quite reaching his eyes. I raise my gaze to his, and like two bottomless pits, his dark eyes seem to engulf me whole.

Dangerous.

I don't know what makes me think that, but his entire body language speaks of a predator ready to pounce on its prey. Even now, he's boldly assessing me under the guise of civility, but as our eyes meet, something passes between us.

A tremor goes down my body, and my temples throb under the assault of his scrutiny. A soft pressure courses through my limbs, settling in my fingertips as they suddenly become numb.

Hand outstretched, he's waiting for me to grasp it—as politeness dictates. But somehow, the hairs on my body stand up straight just at the thought of being in proximity to him.

I finally wrench my eyes from his, and I blink twice. "Right, so," I say, realizing his presence had made me slightly disoriented.

Who is he and what is he to Marcello?

His features don't change, and there's no reaction given that I've just ignored him. In fact, his lips twitch a little, stretching even further, as if he's trying to overcompensate.

I turn to Lina, but I still see him from the corner of my eyes. I don't know why, but I have the urge to run in both directions at once — away and towards.

"Tell us what happened," Lina urges, and I try to seek comfort in the topic at hand. Certainly, I try to ignore the humming inside my body or the way all my senses seem to be on alert.

"I don't know all the details either, but I was close to the chapel when one nun started screaming. I went inside and... You should see it for yourself if Mother Superior will allow it. It's just..." I shake my head, trying to act as perturbed by what I've seen as possible.

"She'll allow it," Vlad interjects with confidence, and I'm sorely tempted to sneak a peek at him. What makes him so sure? Does he know Mother Superior? All types of questions are going through mymind when I realize my body had instinctively turned toward his, my eyes stuck to him.

He's returning my bold stare, and for a moment his mask drops, the polite grin turning into a languid one of inquiry. His eyes glint in the sunlight as he focuses on me, a small frown appearing on his face.

I don't get to dwell on that, since his expression suddenly changes again, his affable smile back in place.

"Easy," his hand steadies my arm, his touch searing against my skin. I immediately jerk away, clarity returning to my mind.

What the...

Marcello and Lina are ahead of us, so I just quietly turn to follow them, using my fingers to rub at the spot he'd touched. I may not have been around men much, but I don't think this is normal...

When we reach the church, tens of nuns are outside, some praying, some sobbing, and Mother Superior seems to have a hard time assuaging everyone's fears.

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