Page 53 of His Haunted Desire
“Whatever you decide, I’ll support you both,” Evangeline says. “We should try to get some rest. It’s late.”
Raiden stares at me for a long time, then sighs. “If this is your final decision, then I’ll accept it. It would be safer if you stayed here, though.”
“It’s my final decision. Accept it.”
His lip twitches into that near smile, pride etching his features with more detail than any mask ever could.
“It looks like I’ve been thoroughly told,” he says, turning to his grandmother.
Evangeline smiles warmly. “It would seem that way.”
“Instruct the security to monitor the cameras,” Raiden says. “The power failure means we’ve missed the bastard in the act, and apparently he must be a ninja because he snuck through a roomful of people to kill Max and no one saw or heard a thing until it was too late. But if someone sneaks in tonight, we need to know about it.”
“You’re right,” Evangeline says. “I will. Tomorrow, the storm will clear, and the police will arrive.”
She says the last bit more like a wish, like this is what she hopes and prays happens, not with any degree of certainty.
Raiden hugs his grandmother, then she quickly approaches and throws her arms around me. “Thank you,” she whispers in my ear. “He’s too proud to admit it, but he needs you at his side.”
In the hallway, Raiden and I walk side by side, his hand in mine. “What did she say back there?” he asks.
“She said you need me at your side.”
He stops walking and looks down at me. Passion etches his every feature. “She’s not wrong,” he says huskily. “Even if that’ll hurt you to hear.”
“It doesn’t hurt me, Raiden,” I say.
It scares me. If I feel the same, this is going to get far more complicated. Perhaps that’s why I ask a low, cruel question. “How are we going to arrange payment if this ends early?”
His tone turns cold. “You’ll be paid in full regardless of the outcome.”
CHAPTER 20
RAIDEN
Ilie awake, staring at the ceiling, waiting for the power to go out or for someone to scream again. The last time I checked the time, it was two AM. I haven’t checked in a while.
Aurora lies beside me, whimpering in her sleep as the storm rages outside. It must be the worst storm this island has seen in decades, maybe ever with the howling wind that attacks the mansion, rattles its frame, and slams against the windows.
When Aurora insisted she wanted to stay here, I thought it meant something. I thought we’d crossed a threshold. It’s not like I think we’re suddenly going to become the characters we’re playing.
Obsession. Instant attraction. Love at first sight.
Those are things for our public-facing roles.
But when I heard the pain in her voice and saw the terror in her face, I thought there might be something else, something real. Then she mentioned the money, and my stomach dropped. My mood went instantly dark.
I’m an idiot for even caring. We’ve shared some heat. She ignites my body, no doubt there, but when it comes tosomething real, I’m not sure what I’m thinking, exactly, not sure what I can reasonably expect.
Lightning cracks. She whimpers and digs her fingernails even firmer into my abs.
“I… can’t,” she moans in her sleep.
“Hush.” I kiss the top of her sweaty head. “It’s just a bad dream.”
“Puh-please,” she groans. “Please don’t let this happen. Oh, God. God.”
“It’s okay,” I mutter, wondering if I should wake her.
