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“I get that.” He nods. “I do.” Reaching up, he brushes my hair from my face. “Do you have to get home?”

“I should. They think I’m dancing tonight.”

“Who’s they?”

Sighing, I drag my fingers through my hair. I already told him the bad stuff. Why not this?

“My brothers and a cousin live with me. I take care of everyone. I told you my parents kicked us out?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I found them and got them enrolled in college. My cousin was put out because she got pregnant, so she’s staying with me too. Her and the baby.”

“That’s a lot of responsibility.”

I shrug. “It’s the right thing to do. The dancing covers us. Mostly.” I put my finger up. “But don’t even think about offering me money or something. I’ll cut your dick off.”

Whisper smiles. “I believe you.”

“Good.”

“Can I go back with you? We’re not done talking.”

“Just because you found out I’m a… what I am… doesn’t mean we’re back to normal.”

“I know. That’s why I want to talk.” He puts his hand on my knee. “Just talk.”

“Just talk?”

“You were honest with me tonight, so I’ll be honest and tell you something. You’re under my skin, Blush, and I don’t hate it.”

A reluctant smile tugs at my lips. “Of course I am. I’m amazing.”

“You are. I’m not done yet. Are you?”

This is the part where I put my walls up, tell him to leave, and go back to my life before Whisper disrupted it, but the words won’t come.

“No,” I admit. “You can come over. It’s no mansion though.”

“I don’t care about that. I just want to spend more time with you.”

“I’ll allow it.”

Whisper lifts my hand and kisses it. “Lead the way.”

CHAPTER 22

Whisper

I trail Blush to a neighborhood with older homes and apartments and my nerves kick up a little. I was afraid he was living in a tough area, and while this one isn’t as bad as some, it’s not great either. But he’s making it work and he deserves credit for that.

He turns into a parking lot and I follow, finding a spot not far from where he parked. On the one hand, finding out he’s the serial killer I’ve been tailing is a shock, but his reasoning makes sense. He’s not the carefree sexpot he tries to portray. There’s depth there, and pain.

Lots of pain.

Blush exits his car and waits for me on the sidewalk. When I reach him, he’s smiling and looks a little shy; a vibe I’ve never gotten from him before.

“Try not to gush over how spectacular it is,” he says.