Page 41 of Unhinged

I nod in response. “I understand,” I breathe.

I’ve barely finished saying the word, and his lips descend over mine. Firm and warm as he kisses me desperately. It’s a passionate kiss full of so much emotion. I taste the metallic tang of blood as his teeth press too hard into my lip, making me claw him closer. I deepen our kiss, wishing to spend the rest of my life in his arms.

I wrap my arms around his neck as he breaks the kiss. “I’m scared, Taren,” I whisper.

He pulls back, his eyes hard as steel. “We’re all scared, Alice,” he retorts. “I’m doing everything I can to help you and your friends. But I need you to trust me.”

Trust. It’s not something I’ve been able to give easily since the night with Professor Lovell. I want to give it to Taren. I know deep down I do trust him. “Okay,” I manage, trying to hide the tremble in my voice. “I trust you.”

“Good,” he says, a hint of relief in his voice. “Because it’s going to get worse before it gets better. I need you to know that everything I do makes it more bearable for you.”

“How long will we have to endure it?” I ask.

His jaw clenches, and he shakes his head. “I don’t know, little bird. I need to select the opportune moment to strike.”

“To strike Illeana Navarro?” I confirm, realizing his plan hinges on bringing down a powerful cartel leader.

“Yes. I’m close to putting my plan in motion.”

“How can you stop someone as powerful as her?”

A flash of irritation enters his eyes. “What is always certain yet uncertain, never seen but always felt, a thin line between sanity and descent?”

I grind my teeth. “I’m not good at riddles.” How can he be talking in riddles right now?

He grinds. “The future, little bird. I can’t be certain I’ll succeed in stopping the red queen, but it’s already mapped out for us. For both our sakes, I hope I can stop her.”

I sigh heavily. “Will you kill her?” I ask, wanting to understand what this man is capable of.

He nods. “Yes, there’s no escaping the monster unless the heart stops beating. The Red Queen must bleed.” He searches my eyes. “Does that scare you, little bird?” he asks, his voice barely above a whisper. “Does it frighten you that I’m willing to murder to keep you safe?” He grips my hips hard in a possessive hold. I’m entranced, caught in his gaze, the gravity of his words sinking in.

I shake my head. “No, because she deserves it for the terrible things she did to you.”

He gazes into my eyes. “Before I met you, revenge was all that occupied my mind. And now you’ve taken its place.”

This is crazy. He’s crazy. We don’t even know each other.

His lips descend on mine abruptly, violently. Our teeth clash, but neither of us cares. There’s darkness in us; it feels like a wild storm when we come together. As if I’m the lighting to his thunder. His tongue delves into my mouth as though he’s trying to drink me in.

“You’re my everything,” he growls into my mouth, his words muffled by the intensity of his kiss.

His everything.

I gasp for air, clutching his shirt in my fists. This is madness. This man, this situation—it’s all beyond comprehension.

Nothing has ever felt so right or real before. I slide my fingers into his hair, and he growls against my lips, circling my wrists with his hands and yanking them behind my back. He uses one hand to restrain them there, and the other caresses the bare flesh of my cleavage.

“I’m in control, little bird,” he murmurs. His dark eyes appear almost black in the dim light of the basement.

“We shouldn’t be doing this. What if?—”

“I paid off the guard so no one will catch us.” He kisses my neck. “And this is one of very few blind spots on her security cameras.”

“Catch us doing what?” I breathe.

“This.” He lifts me and perches me on some crates in the corner. And then he pushes me down so I’m on my back before pushing the hem of my dress up and groaning. “So wet for me, my little bird, aren’t you?” He tilts his head, a dark madness flashing in his eyes. “I’ve missed your taste. One taste of you, and I was fucking addicted. I could spend the rest of my life devouring you and be happy.”

I shudder, arching my back as his words stoke the flames of desire. “Taren,” I breathe his name. “This is crazy.”

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