Page 111 of Salvatore

He’s better-looking than I remember—more devilish—his appearance seeming less human and more like a beautifully crafted weapon I’m utterly defenseless against.

Damn him.

I ignore it—ignorehim—and return my attention to Liv, opting for a more composed stride toward the car. I grin at her as the vehicle slows to a stop and her door flings open.

“Surprise.” She leaps out, throwing her arms wide to greet me.

“Since when did you become a hugger?” I engulf her, dragging her into my chest to breathe in the familiar strawberry scent of her hair.

“I’ve changed. You getting taken by Gabriel was another untimely reminder of how short life is.”

I wince. “I’m sorry I haven’t been around to help you grieve your dad.”

“You had a legitimate excuse.” She squeezes me tighter as car doors open and two criminals climb out. “Don’t worry. Remy has taken care of me. You wouldn’t believe how well I’ve been treated.”

She’s right. I wouldn’t believe it. But now isn’t the time to get between her and delusional happiness. “How long have you known I was in Virginia Beach?” I pull back to meet her stare.

“Since the night you were rescued.”

“And you thought it was a smart idea to come visit?”

She shrugs. “To be honest, I’m a little burned out on giving a shit about the dangers involved. I’ve been too worried about you. And when Remy mentioned that—” She lowers her voice to a whisper “—the antichrist in Armani over there was coming to check on you, I demanded to come too."

One of the men clear their throat.

I glance over Liv’s shoulder to find Salvatore leaned against the vehicle in a perfectly tailored, all black suit, his brother at his side, both of them watching us intently.

“Are you two done?” Salvatore drawls.

Liv stiffens, obviously daunted.

I, on the other hand, raise a brow and square my shoulders. “I’m sorry, Sally. Did you want a hug too?”

Remy disguises a laugh under an exaggerated cough and pushes from the car. “I think that’s our cue to get settled inside, pyro.” He approaches and takes Liv’s hand. “I’ll get our bags later.”

My insides protest the way he touches her and how she practically stares at him with cartoonish love-heart eyes before they both look at me.

“Will you be okay?” she asks.

“With him?” I hike a thumb toward the suit-clad egomaniac who remains relaxed against the car. “Of course. Me and Sal go way back.”

Liv gives me a subtle look of warning, then nods, and follows her murderer’s lead inside. I keep my gaze on her, not wanting to give the magnetic monster in my periphery any undue attention, but then she disappears from view and it’s just me and his commanding energy as he pushes from the vehicle to stand at his full imposing height.

“I’m surprised to see my uncle’s house still standing.” He strolls forward, his hands lazily sliding into his pockets. “I would’ve thought you’d burned it to the ground by now.”

I shrug. “I’ve been waiting until you were inside.”

He smirks. It’s lazy and smug, yet sinful enough to rearrange my heartbeat without my permission. “That’s a funny way of showing how much you want me, but okay.”

“If you’re referring to my desire to want you flattened under the wheels of a bus, then yes,niñito,I want you more than anything in this world.”

He snickers and my breath pathetically catches in my throat.

“You might want to tell those man-eater eyes to convey the same message.” He holds my gaze as if tempting me to glance away. “Because you look turned on to me.”

I glower. “You need glasses.”

“I see just fine,mi bella reina. I even noticed the pitiful Walmart clothes.” His attention rakes over me. “You didn’t ask Catarina to make better use of my credit card?”

---