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He grips my chin, forcing me to stare into his shadowed face. “Understand?”

Nodding, a groan rips free. The gun digs deeper, sharp pain exploding, but he hits that spot. Clutching his arms, I brace against the swell, thrusting back. When his finger rubs my clit, I see brilliant stars.

“Were you hoping Freddie would do this?” His voice darkens. “Did you want him to fuck you?”

I shake my head. “No, never.”

“You’d better fucking not,” he growls. “I saw him touch you, Sunshine. Expect his fingers on your doorstep come morning. Now, come.”

I try to deny him, tell him he can’t, but the orgasm reaches its peak. He pinches my clit, and my head drops forward as I detonate. My throat burns as I cling to him, a scream leaving my lips.

My stalker doesn’t let me go, cradling me close, as my knees buckle. Gently, he strokes my hair, taking the time to memorize where each of my devices is and how they connect to me. His eyes studying me, as I keep mine close, enjoying his warmth.

“You can’t kill him,” I mumble.

He chuckles, removing the gun. He puts it away before I can see it. “Don’t plead for another man, baby. It sends the wrong message. Especially as my fingers and gun are still dripping with your cum.”

My cheeks flush, and I look up. His hands dig into my hips, pressing us close.

My fingers tentatively touch his cheek. “Can I at least see your face?”

My stalker presses a sweet kiss to my forehead.

“Not yet.”

He leans me against the wall, fixes my dress, tugging everything into place sharply. He’s still mad. The anger radiates from his stiff movements.

Holding my face, he seals his lips with mine. He tastes of jasmine and lemon, and I inhale; he always smells so nice.

“I’ll see you soon,” he whispers. Then, he slinks away, vanishing into the shadows once more.

15

BRIAR

Standing in the back alley, I peer through the summer rainstorm as the front door of the restaurant swings open. Valentina walks out, drenched, into Ello’s awaiting arms. She might seem disheveled from being left in a darkened establishment, but there’s more to it. There’s a light in her eyes and a wobble to every step as she gets into the car.

I put it there.

The plan was never to go to her tonight. I’m supposed to be home, tracking money and scanning documents to ruin the Bruno empire. But when I saw her leave the compound, logic fled, replaced by this possessive urge to have her. Then she teased me, and all bets were off.

She drives me crazy.

Valentina dug under my skin, latched onto a nerve, and turned me into a wild beast for her. If anything, this is her fault. She created this unhinged monster, who craves her. She’ll have to deal with the consequences.

Being Deaf changes nothing about how I feel. But it explains what I’ve noticed on the screen.

My gaze swings to the left, Freddie standing on the sidewalk, complaining into a phone. Black hair falls over his face in heavy clumps of tar. I wouldn’t be surprised to see black stains down his neck from his cheap hair job.

Leaning a shoulder on the brick, I keep to the shadows and let the rain soak me. He screams into the received, and I make myself a promise to hack it later.

He growls as the call ends, pocketing the device. Must not have been good news. Oh well. The dickhead takes off in the opposite direction of the Bruno compound. His date is over, so he can’t return to the mansion. He’s going to find the next best thing—Bruno’s club.

Works for me.

I trail after him, keeping my steps light. I’m not an assassin by any means, but I’ve spent the last half-decade hiding from them. It taught me a thing or two.

And having the Reaper as a sort-of big brother, I’ve picked up a few habits.