Page 86 of The King of Hearts

If I could, I’d reach through the phone and smack her upside the head. This girl is not funny.

At all.

Her look turns serious. “For real though. How are you?” Her eyes run over my face and the small portion she can see of my body through the phone. “At least I can tell you’re still in one piece.”

“I’m fine.” I run my hand down the material of my shorts, then stop to pick at a loose string at the hem. “It’s one of those ‘it could be worse’ situations.”

“I hate that phrase,” she says, wrinkling her nose. “I always say, ‘it could be better’ when I hear it.”

“Hmm…” I roll the loose thread between my fingers. “Have you really fantasized about him? Ryker, I mean?”

She scoffs, like my question is a stupid one. “I’m pretty sure anyone who’s met him has. The man is sex on legs. Even if he does give off ‘stay the fuck away, or I’ll hurt you’ vibes.”

I can’t deny either of those. Over the couple of years that Ryker’s worked for The Raven Group, he’s starred in a few of my nightly fantasies. I never in a million years thought that they would become a reality, though. Especially since that ‘stay the fuck away, or I’ll hurt you’ aura that Em mentioned is very accurate.

“I can’t believe you’re actually living in the Ellington mansion. That place has always given me the creepy crawlies.”

“It’s beautiful here. The outside structure seems to be original, but a lot of the inside has been modernized.”

“I’m not surprised you like living there. You’ve always had an obsession with that house. I used to hate when you would drag me there and make me walk around outside the stone walls surrounding it as you looked for a way inside.” She shudders, as if even her memories of those times spook her.

I laugh. “It was only a few times. I stopped making you come with me after that near panic attack you had.”

“I swear there was someone out there calling my name,” she stresses. “And I felt eyes on us.”

“Maybe it was the ghost of Miles Ellington. Or his wife.”

“That doesnothelp.” Her eyes dart around, like she’s looking for the ghost right now, and I can’t help but giggle. “It’s not funny,” she grumbles.

I get distracted from the conversation when my phone vibrates and a notification pops up on my screen above Emersyn’s face. I get alerts for the mainland local news, and this one snatches my attention.

The Butcher strikes again.

“Hey, Em, I’ve got to go,” I tell my friend.

“Fine, but message me later. We need to meet. Tomas said he was going to storm the mansion if he doesn’t hear from you soon. You know him, so you know he’ll do it. Lunch in a day or so should appease him.”

God bless Tomas. He’s nearly as protective as Dad and my brothers. And Em is right. If he doesn’t hear directly from me that I’m okay, he’ll damn sure show up on the doorstep here, and the confrontation between him and Ryker isn’t one I want to happen. Especially considering Ryker’s willingness to hurt any man who touches me.

I feel horrible for not calling him yet, but I still don’t have the mental capacity to explain everything that’s happened. I need another day or two.

“I’ll message him later and set up lunch with the three of us.”

As soon as we hang up, I bring up the article. There’s a picture of a run-down abandoned building in the old part of the mainland with police tape surrounding it. According to the article, the body that was found three days ago was missing both legs from the knees down and both arms from the elbow down. He was also missing his genitalia, and both of his eyes were gouged out. The authorities are scouring the city to find the missing body parts. What the article doesn’t mention is that they have no hope of finding the genitalia. They never do. It’s a rumor that The Butcher keeps that particular part as a souvenir.

It kind of reminds me of Ryker and his hearts.

I check a few other news articles and don’t find anything new. This is the sixth body found, and the police are no closer to finding out who the killer is. All of the victims have one thing in common. They’re suspected or convicted criminals of sexual assault who have been released after they’ve served their term or were released without conviction for some reason or another. I can’t say I’m sad to see they ended up how they did. I believe a lot of people should be given a second chance, but there are some who just don’t deserve it. No amount of rehabilitation will ever change them.

I exit out of the last article and turn the screen off on my phone. I stretch my legs out in front of me before getting up from my comfortable seat, making sure to slip the bookmark inside the book before I close it. Loki doesn’t even twitch.

Yesterday, after Ryker showed me my new art studio, I explored a little more of the house while he went to do whatever he does during the day. There’s still a lot more to look at, and since I have time now, I decide to check out the grounds.

As I walk toward the back of the house to grab a bottle of water from the kitchen, something sweet catches my attention. I know what the smell is as soon as I step into the room. I find Susie standing at the island, sliding a spatula under a pale purple sandwich cookie.

“You made macarons?” I ask, unable to hide my surprise.

She looks up from her task and offers a smile. “Yes. Mr. West said they’re your favorite. He acquired several recipes from your family’s cook.”

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