Page 68 of Malicious Intentions

The worrisome thoughts intrude again, bursting my bubble of happiness. “Well…” I toy with a lock of my hair, wrapping it around my finger.

He glances over at me. “It’s okay, bellissima. Whatever’s on your mind, say it.”

“I think you believe I’m after your father’s money.”

His knuckles turn white on the steering wheel beneath the dashboard lights. His spine is rigid, but he remains quiet.

“I’m not, Evan. That’s not who I am.” I blow out a breath. “It’s an absolute dream to attend SRU. But honestly, I still feel out of place in this world. Sometimes, I’m homesick for the simplicity of my life before this.”

“Has someone been making you feel you don’t belong?”

“No one in particular, other than me. I’m not used to the luxuries. It’s not something I need. I was content before all this was given to me.”

“I can tell. You barely spend any money.” His hands relax on the steering wheel as he glances over at me. “You buy coffee, books, and snacks with the credit card my father gave you. You could easily go on a shopping spree, but you don’t.”

“Why would I? I have more clothes and shoes than I know what to do with.” I tug on the low-cut top I’m wearing. “This is the first time I’ve worn this. I have a ton of clothes hanging in my closet that still have the tags on.”

“I know.” His hand moves to my thigh. “Trust me, Lexi, I know everything you do.”

He turns onto a single-lane road, and when his headlights cut through the darkness and I see the tombstones ahead, I panic.

“E-Evan.” I hate the trembling of my voice as I stare out the windshield at the cemetery. “W-Why are we here?”

His hand tightens around my thigh. “Are you scared, Lexi?”

Typically, I’d deny my fear and pretend to be tough. But with the alcohol still coursing through my veins like a truth serum, I find myself whispering, “Terrified.”

He pulls the car to a stop in front of a giant mausoleum. “Don’t be.” He cuts the engine, and the silence envelopes us.

My mouth is dry as I rasp out, “E-Evan. What’s going on?”

I can’t seem to turn my head away from the imposing monstrosity ahead. It’s the largest mausoleum I’ve ever seen.

The silence stretches between us. My heart gallops inside my chest, beating so loud I’m confident he hears it.

“It’s time for you to meet your stepfamily.”

CHAPTER 45

Evan

“No,” Lexi frantically shakes her head. “Please don’t.”

Her lips quiver as her head finally turns toward me. My headlights are still on, illuminating the mausoleum ahead. The dashboard lights reveal her ghostly white face and wide, panicky eyes.

My eyebrows shoot up.My God. She thinks I’m gonna kill her.

Leaning closer, my hand wraps around hers. “Lexi, I’m not going to hurt you.” My voice is soft and full of reassurance, but she’s still tense. “I’m here to visit my mom. Today is the anniversary of her death.”

Her gaze flits to mine. “What? H-Her anniversary.”

I nod. “I left campus and was driving here when I realized where you were. So I turned around and drove back to get you.” He nods at the backseat. “I have flowers for her.”

“Oh, God. I feel so stupid.” She slumps in the passenger seat. “I thought you brought me here to kill me.” Her eyes swing to mine. “You’re not going to do that, right?”

My lips are a breath away from hers. “Your death is the last thing in this world that I want.”

She blinks at me, her expression softening.

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