Page 45 of Desperate Crimes

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And now?

Now it’s time.

I press the button.

The lights in her room fade to black, seamlessly and smooth.

Darkness swallows her. And me.

I move.

The hallway is silent as I step barefoot across the polished floors, my jeans hanging low on my hips.

Every footfall echoes through me like a war drum.

My pulse pounds.

My blood sings.

This moment has been years in the making.

When I open the bedroom door, I don’t speak. I don’t breathe. I let the darkness stretch a beat longer—enough to feel her tension spike.

I move through the room like a shadow.

I know exactly where to step so she won’t hear me until I want her to. I savor the silence—the stretch of her waiting.

Then she feels it.

Feels my presence.

Fortifies my belief that the two of us are soulmates.

Next, Leanna’s soft voice whispers to me in the darkness.

“Hello?”

Fuck.

My cock jumps, twitching hard behind my zipper all because she’s here, talking to me—softly, tentatively.

Is she afraid? I don’t think so.

Uncertain? Maybe.

Leanna has grit. She’s brave. Besides, I’m not trying to scare her.

I’m trying to woo her.

In my own slightly psychotic fashion.

Because I can’t date this woman.

This isn’t a swipe right to fuck deal, either.

I’m not like regular guys. I’m not even just a Viper. I’m their fucking Prince.

So, when I say I want Leanna Volkov.

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