Page 65 of Massacre Monday
She didn’t seem to mind that I just murdered two people, so that’s a positive sign.
Olivia will be safe now. She has to be. I’ve paid the price in full. Completed the board’s assignment. Earned Pen with the senator’s wife’s blood. Secured Max’s approval with his signature on the appointment.
Maybe I’ve guaranteed Olivia gets appointed to Hunter now, yeah. But Aiden and I can handle him. He’s a controllable asset. Easier to deal with than a fucking senator.
As I help her from the car, she accepts my hand willingly, boldly even. Her eyes scan the outside of the convertedwarehouse, then across the street toward the old Sanguine Manor. “That place always gives me the creeps,” she says with a shiver, and I latch my arm around her, leading her to the entry of my building.
“Yeah. But if the city tore it down, where would we hold Thriller Thursday?” I’m being sarcastic, but it’s true. Ownership of the crumbling mansion has remained in limbo, so no one has fixed it up or torn it down.
Rumors of nefarious events that have taken place there have circled for years, but I’ve ignored them. Not until I see something with my own eyes.Betauses it for the Greek games and, despite it being an eyesore on campus, it does make a fantastic place for a haunted house chase.
Pressing the code on the number pad to get in through the main entrance, I slide the large blue metal door open for her and wave toward the floating staircase leading to the second story. Her heels catch in some of the holes of a grate, so I hurry to snatch her around the waist and hoist her up into my arms as she lets out a laughingwhoop.
I set her feet on the concrete floor in front of my place and unlock the door, while she bounces on her toes, acting eager to get inside.
In the five months since I moved in, I’ve only allowed a handful of people in my space. Once, when Elina and I were hooking up, I had a lapse in judgment and let her spend the night. Things got awkward when I broke it off again, and I realize she must’ve kept a key. Maybe twice I had a one-night stand stay over from the local bar, but that’s not really my thing. Landon and my brothers pop by to annoy me. But that’s it. I’ve protected my sanctuary as much as I could.
Seeing Pippi Freidenberg inside my apartment changes my world completely. Like, the walls aren’t even the same. Furniture transforms into something brand new, and I’m so fucking onedge to know what she thinks of it all. My breathing grows shallow, studying her expressions.
With a tug, I loosen my bowtie and stand back while she wanders to the middle of the area between the bed and sofa, her long gown trailing like a purple cloud behind her. She leans over to get a peek out of the big windows taking up the back wall, but her face is unreadable. I toss my tuxedo jacket over the leather chair next to the couch and grip the back of it, waiting.
Her eyes scan the kitchen before she steps gingerly toward the copper-colored fridge. A smirk jerks at the corner of her lips when she rips open the appliance dramatically, scrutinizing every item inside. “Lots of beer. No cheese.” It’s mumbled, as if she’s taking inventory.
“If you want me to cook, I can.” Clearing my throat, I point to the counter. “Just not very well.”
Looking at me dead in the eye, she closes the door and continues her tour with her dress swishing along the tiles. “So, what were you going to serve me?”
“I’ve got you covered.”
“Thisissupposedly a date, right? Or is it over now that you’ve eradicated the enemies? I can’t just eat champagne, Cardell.”
Her little chin raises in defiance, and I can’t help but smile. Leaning forward, I snag it with two fingers and place my lips against hers. “I’ll feed you. You want it right now?”
A hesitating breath puffs from her lungs as she steps back and peeks at me with a coy grin, her face a rosy tone as heat stirs between our bodies. “Yes. I’m hungry.”
Fortunately, the knock on the door arrives at the perfect time. “Then, I’ll get you food.”
“Getme food, or have it delivered?”
When I grab the bags from the guy at the door, I slam it shut with the heel of my foot, then set everything on my bar heightdining table, laying it out in a nice array. With a flourish, I wave to the spread.
“Honey, I hunted you some steak. Here you go!”
One of her dark eyebrows raises with suspicion. “Lobster, steak, potatoes, desserts… You went all out! But we’re notout.”
“Yeah, I figured we could say we had to get you into bed early, being only sixteen and all.”
“Are we going to role play like I’m still your sister, because I don’t think I can do that,” she says flatly, though the glint in her eye gives away the joke.
“Agreed. No sister fucking. For now…” I unbutton the top half of my shirt, letting it splay open as she slides onto a stool and politely digs into her salad. “What else is off the table?”
“What do you mean?”
Her innocence makes me heated around the neck. I spear a bite of steak and ask again. “What else do younotlike? Rules, boundaries?” Reaching across the table, I move a lock of hair out of her way. “Because I have arealhard time obeying, but for you, I’ll be a good boy.” For now.
A full set of tits jiggle in her dress as she takes a deep breath. “Um, I-I don’t think I’m ready. That’s probably not what you want to hear, but the month is over, if you hadn’t noticed.”
“Who gives a fuck about the month? I told you what’s up… You’re mine. From now until forever.” We eat in silence for a few moments before I wonder. “So you’re not ready for me to rip through that virgin pussy yet? Okay. Fine.”
