Page 70 of Love in Unexpected Places

“I’d do anything for you. Say the word, and I will rip him limb from limb.”

Squaring his shoulders, Lucas nods. “I want him dead. Today.”

Smiling, I kiss his nose, grinning when I pull away and see how his cheeks pink. “Today it is.” I look at the clock on the nightstand, and the lights reflect 7:38. “When?”

“Let’s get more sleep, then I’ll text him and let him know I have all the money from our night together. His greedy ass will want the money right then, and he’ll tell me where he is. Then you can kill him.” He pulls me down until we’re on our sides, close to me so he’s not lying in the wet spot. “And I can watch.”

chapter five

LUCAS

Vernimer and I drift back to sleep for another few hours, not waking until well after one in the afternoon. I’m sated, my body boneless, even when we wake up. I’ve never felt so taken care of in all my life. I grew up in the system, aging out instead of being adopted. I’ve never known family or deep love. When I met Brooks, I thought he’d be the family I never had. Turns out, he just wanted me for my body so he could whore me out to others and line his pockets.

When he brought Tara in, it was the first time I felt unconditional love and an overwhelming need to protect someone. I promised myself I would get her out of this life and back home, as far away from this bullshit as she can get.

Now that Vernimer is offering to slaughter Brooks to free me of him, I know I can finally keep my promise to her. I love her like the sister I never had. She will go home and live a normal life. Well, as normal as she can after being tricked into making money on her back for a greedy piece of shit.

“I can feel your emotions,” Vernimer mutters sleepily. “They’re jumbled, but I feel them. Love, deep love. Anger, simmering so hot it singes my veins. Happiness, almost like a glow drifting through our mental connection.” I turn to look at him, finding those piercing gray eyes already locked on me. “What do they mean?”

A smile breaks across my face as I look at him. He’s fucking stunning. Beautiful in this form and in his demon skin. I won’t ever get tired of looking at him.

“The love is for Tara. She means a lot to me. She was so scared when she came into that house, so frightened. I’m not sure why she sought me out, but I didn’t question it. We’ve grown close while captive, forced to whore ourselves for Brooks. I love her so much it hurts.” To give myself something to do, I trail my fingers over his chest. “The anger is for Brooks. And a little at myself. If I weren’t so naive, I would have known he was using me. He was an asshole for doing it, but I should have been more vigilant and smarter. And I’m happy knowing that after today I won’t have to worry about Brooks hurting anyone else.”

Vernimer grins, kissing me lightly. “How do you want it done? Or is it up to me?”

“I don’t care. Just as long as he’s dead. Does that make me a bad person?”

“No. It makes you a man scorned that wants his revenge. And you have your mate who is willing to dispatch this fucker for you. I have several methods that will make you happy. I can rip out his heart and lay it at your feet if you’d like.”

I laugh at the absurdity of it until I meet Vernimer’s eyes and realize he’s serious. “Holy fuck, that’s hot.” I suppress a shiver so I can think. “But no. That’s messy. Something like breaking his neck will be good.” I can’t believe I’m talking about how to kill a man, but if anyonedeserves to meet their maker, it’s Brooks. “As long as he’s dead.”

“Okay, little one. Find out his location, and we can get it done now.”

I nod as I roll over to retrieve my phone from the nightstand. The text I shoot off to Brooks is short and sweet.

Me: I’m finished. I have the money.

His message isn’t long in coming, and I knew he wouldn’t want to wait.

Brooks: Come to the Shore Pines motel off third. Room 106. I want to count it to make sure you got all the money owed to you. If not, you’ll go back out tonight to get the rest.

My chest tightens at his callous words. He won’t be able to make me do anything after today. He’ll be fucking dead.

I send a thumbs-up emoji, knowing he hates it. I don’t give a fuck. It’s like all my fear for him and worry has been lifted off my shoulders now that I know I won’t have to listen to his bullshit anymore. I can save Tara and free the others trapped under Brooks’s thumb.

From what Brooks has told us, he’s saving all the money we make so he can buy us a bigger house and we can have more freedom. I believe he’s hoarding the money, but he denies it. I don’t know what his plans are and Idon’t care. I want it so me and the others can make a way for ourselves when he’s gone.

“Vernimer,” I say as we’re getting dressed to meet Brooks. My demon summoned clothes for me, brand new and comfortable. It feels good to have on clothes that aren’t revealing. Even when we’re around the house, Brooks makes us wear skimpy clothes. “Before you kill Brooks, I need to know where the money he’s saving is. It’s not in a bank, since he doesn’t trust them. It’s all somewhere in that house. We need it.”

“I can give you money, little one.”

“It’s not just for me. And we worked for that money. It’s ours.”

Vernimer inclines his head. “As you wish, little one.”

I smile at him, walking over and wrapping my arms around his waist. Vernimer feels so familiar, like I’ve known him my entire life. “Why does it feel like we’ve known each other for more than a night?” I look up at him, resting my chin on his chest. “Why are these feelings so intense?”

“Because you are my fated mate. Our souls speak to each other. It will always be this way. Do you not like it?”

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