Page 23 of Darkness Tempt Me
I’ve fed this obsession to hunt and eliminate the evils from this world for so long, I don’t know who I am without it. This sick, dark craving isn’t going to go away. All the rapists, abusers, and scum of the world aren’t going to suddenly disappear. And this deep hunger I’ve been feeding isn’t going to suddenly be satiated. If I marry someone, the killing isn’t going to stop. It’s only going to make my life harder. Plus, who the hell would want to marry a serial killer?
“You know, there’s a boy right outside my office who would probably be willing to marry you in a heartbeat.”
I roll my eyes. Fuck. First, my Uncle Mick, and now Hunter?
“What? Afraid your assistant won’t be into all that rough sex or Daddy kink stuff you’re into?” Hunter teases.
“Shut the fuck up, Hunt,” I reply, but there’s no real venom in my tone. What a tempting little picture that paints. My brattylittle Peyton in those pretty coral panties, giving me a real, in-person show.
“Aw, don’t be like that. All those ‘Yes, sir. No, sir. Please, sir.’It wouldn’t be that hard to replace it with another word. ‘Yes, Daddy. No, Da—’”
“I said.Shut.Up.” Images of Peyton on his sofa in those pretty little coral panties fill my mind, causing blood to rush to my cock. I don’t even bother covering it up. Images of my assistant on his knees before me come to mind. Fuck. This is so not the place to pop a damn boner.
I readjust myself in my pants. Hunter’s eyes track my movements and barks out a laugh. “Settle down, Daddy.” He leans across his desk and shoves a file in my hands. “I have some information for you that might cheer you up.”
The manila folder is light. It doesn’t even feel like there’s anything inside it. I open it up and note that it’s another will, but this one is straightforward.
Hunter’s gaze bores into mine. “I took care of Carl’s wife and daughter. The asshole was going to leave everything to his business partner. They had no idea just how much money Carl had.”
“That fucker. He used them as an excuse while begging for his life. Said they depended on him.”
Hunter’s smile widens. “Well, good. Now they have enough money that they’ll never have to depend on anyone else for the rest of their lives. They even get to keep the house, white picket fence, and all. You might want to consider a place like that if you’re planning on getting married.”
I sigh. “People like us don’t get the white picket fence and the happily ever after, Hunter.”
“Sure, sure,” he says, amusement sparkling in his eyes. “But maybe we should try anyway.”
Chapter fifteen
Mavik
The sound of the office door clicks closed behind us as we leave Hunter’s office. I scan the waiting area, stunned when I don’t see Peyton anywhere. However, my mother is across the room, gazing at her phone with a slight smile.
Hunter leans in and whispers in my ear. “Uncle Mick left all his personal assets and finances to Sophia. She inherited everything with the exception of Blackwood Investments. She’s here for good news, but she doesn’t have any idea.” My chest fills with warmth; even in death, my uncle took care of us. He knew I’d give her any inheritance I received. It makes sense that it would all go to her. Hunter is the only person left who understands just what I would do for my mother. She’s one of the main reasons I need to keep my company. The plan is to spoil her for as long as she’ll allow me.
Mom seems full of life today and absolutely lovely. I like to think her joy stems directly from all the ghosts I erased from her past. She deserves the world after everything she went through.If at any point I were to be caught and questioned about my actions, I would remember days like this, when my mother seemed happy and safe. No longer just a shadow of her former self.
“Mom,” I say with a grin. I stride over to her. She leaps up from her seat and embraces me warmly.
“Darling, it’s been way too long.” She kisses my cheek. I notice movement in my peripheral vision. Peyton is standing there with a sweet blush dusting his cheeks, eyes narrowed with jealousy.
“Is he yours?” Mom whispers in my ear.
I jerk back in surprise. “What?”
Her brown eyes, which look so similar to mine, sparkle with mischief. “Is he your assistant?”
My gaze narrows. That’s not what she said. She laughs because she knows it.
“Peyton,” I call out. “There’s someone I want you to meet.”
He wipes his hands on his pants as he approaches. His eyes are slightly glassy as if he’s been crying, and I notice his face is slightly wet as if he’s been splashing water on his face. Without thinking, I rush to his side and grasp his shoulders. I look down into his vibrant blue eyes.
“Tell me what happened?”
He shakes his head. “It’s nothing,” he says at the same time as my mother speaks.
“We were watching Adam Costa’s trial highlights on TV. It seems like things are going in his favor,” she says.
