Page 51 of Dirty Little Saint

His eyes dart from side to side, and his snot-covered lip quivers. “He said I could play with her whenever I wanted.”

My sigils surge with power, particularly the one she carved into my chest. “The fuck? You must have one hell of a death wish. She is not yours to play with.” I don’t know if I can stop myself from killing him. I need to breathe and calm the fuck down. At least until I find out everything.

Tears stream down his cheeks. “But he said she would be.”

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I need to focus. “How did you get into her dorm apartment?”

“Your father gave me the elevator key. He told me to just take a picture of her room. But I couldn’t help myself… I took out a pair of her panties. They smelled so—”

I slap him hard across the face, leaving a handprint on his cheek. “You sick fuck. She belongs to me. To Nocturnus. How dare you even fucking look at her.” The motherfucking audacity. I slap him again. “If I wasn’t planning on killing you, I’d take you straight to Absentia Asylum right now. I’m sure they have a straitjacket with your name on it. Unfuckingbelievable.”

I’d done some sick fucking things in my life but never to someone who wasn’t already interested. This guy hasn’t ever even had a conversation with Maureen. He’s probably been creeping on her since she got here.

Barnaby pisses himself again. “Kill me? Wait, why?”

This kid is clearly delusional. If I were a better man, I’d take pity on him, show mercy, and take him to the asylum. But I possess zero empathy. I have my father to thank for that. All I care about is keeping Maureen away from him and anyone else who comes for her. My father included.

“All right, Barnie boy, time for a little nap.” I tighten my grip on his neck and cut off his circulation. I don’t want to kill him just yet, but I need him quiet and docile so I can get him back to Nocturnus House.

He claws at my wrists. I enjoy watching him turn from pink to blue. I let out an exasperated sigh when he finally goes limp in my arms. “Fucking weirdo.”

I hoped earlier that I wouldn’t have to talk to Harker again, but I need one last favor. He answers my call on the first ring.

“You were right, Professor.”

He clears his throat, “I’m sorry that I was.”

“I need you to give me and Barnaby a ride back to Nocturnus. He’s unconscious, so I can’t have anyone seeing me drag him through the woods.”

He’s silent for a few beats before finding his balls. “I’m guessing you’re at the Nest? Take the elevator down to the cellar. There’s a tunnel that leads to some brush by the forest. I’ll pick you up there.”

Good man. I nod even though he can’t see me. “Consider us completely square after this. No more videos. We’re done.”

“Thank you, Atlas,” he murmurs.

I click end call and snarl down at the unconscious pervert in my arms. “Me and you, on the other hand, are just getting started.”

Maureen

That moment in between sleeping and waking is sacred. It contains an infinite amount of magic in those few seconds. When I realize my dreams are just dreams, and reality hasn’t quite set in yet. It’s a conscious slumber where my soul feels untethered to my body. Where I am just Maureen. Not a Blackwell, or a Gray, or belonging to Nocturnus. I’m just me. It’s when I remember who I am most. And then it’s gone, fading away into the farthest reaches of my mind like a distant memory.

I roll over to find Riot awake and gazing back at me. This part of the day is when I know who he is the most too. When the pressures and demands of the coven haven’t settled in yet. He blinks back the sleep from his blue eyes, and they’re filled with tenderness and wonder. They haven’t had the chance to harden. His face is strange yet angelic. His black hair messy and soft.

“What are you thinking about, Firecracker?” His voice is raspy like honey on sandpaper.

I stroke his cheek. “You.”

He clasps my hand to his. “Tonight is going to be chaos.”

“Why?” There never seems to be a dull moment for us these days.

He kisses my fingers. “Later. I just want to enjoy the stillness with you right now.”

A flurry of nerves swims in my belly. I know that look in his eyes. Trouble is brewing for us. But all I want to do is drown in this moment.

I nod and scoot closer to him. My breath catches in my throat when we lock eyes. I won’t ever get over how strikingly beautiful this man is. How wanting him and needing him have become one and the same.

“Did you find anything out about the text messages?” There’s something that the guys aren’t telling me. I heard Atlas get in late last night. The three of them went down below the house to one of their many chambers. I planned on questioning them, but they were down there so long… I drank too much wine and passed out on the couch.

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