Page 446 of Dark Love

We… That woman needs to go.

“Vex.” Imogene climbs off Payne’s lap and rushes towards me. “I just wanted to say thank you again for saving me. I didn’t think there was any way I was ever getting out of that pit.” Imogene hugs me. “Thank you so much.”

That wasn’t what I expected.

“Payne said you two need to talk business. I’m going to order some lunch for us. Would you like something?”

Order lunch? “A sandwich would be great. I’m not picky.”

She nods.

“We’ll go into the office.” Payne nods to the room right next to where I’m standing. He closes the glass doors but stays in front of them in clear view of Imogene.

“Why is she still here?”

Payne rakes his fingers through his hair. “I tried. Temperance Vincenti offered to arrange care at some wonderful in-patient clinics. But I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t let her go.”

“That’s messed up. You know that, right?”

“Yeah. But it doesn’t matter. I want her here. No, I need her here. There’s something about her… I think we’re meant to be together.”

Stupid. I shouldn’t have ever let him come. And I certainly shouldn’t have let him go down in that pit.

“How did you feel when you first saw Dahlia?”

What? “This isn’t the same thing.”

“Why isn’t it? Didn’t you rescue her?”

“From a guy in a bar. Not a pit where she was tortured. Need I remind you, a pit way too similar to the one your father would throw you in on occasion.”

“He only threw me in a pit twice before I figured out how to get out, then he moved on to something else.” Payne turns to check on Imogene.

She’s got her head down, ordering our food.

“Payne.”

“How did you know?”

Payne is like a dog with a bone. He’s not going to let this foolish idea go. “The first words she said hit me in the gut. And every time I see her, I want to be with her more than the moment before.” It’s like an unhealthy addiction. Only Dahlia isn’t broken like Imogene.

Dahlia’s perfect.

“See, I knew it. I sunk down into that pit and knew she was mine and I’m never letting her go.”

No.

No.

No. How do I fix this? Payne wouldn’t go to therapy… not that I believe in therapy. Talking about your feelings seems like a waste of time. Kill the person and get over it. But there’s no person left to kill and no one else to tell him this is a stupid idea.

“Why were you at the club seeing Shock? Did he forget to do something like pay his taxes again?”

That was a mess. He almost ended up in prison. “Dyce gave me a name.”

“Dyce? She hasn’t talked to you in years.”

That’s because she doesn’t like me.

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