Page 116 of Dark Love

There isn’t much to tell other than the fact that Vex is a really nice guy who hates chicken noodle soup. Nice isn’t the right word. Thoughtful maybe.

Considerate.

Sexy—

“Prue, could I have a moment of your time?”

Where did Adonis come from? Um… “Sure.” This isn’t good. Is he going to fire me because Vex slammed the door in his face?

“Have a seat,” Adonis says as he closes the door behind me.

Uh oh. This isn’tgood.

“I know we haven’t known each other long, but I’d like to talk to you as a friend, not your boss.”

Huh? Friends? That’s why you’re doing this, to make friends. But I thought it would be Mindy or some other woman around here that I made friends with first.

Beggars can’t be choosers. “Of course, I’d like that.”

Adonis smiles down at me from his perch on the corner of his desk.

Though I can’t mention this to my mother, or she’ll have us engaged in her mind within the week. She might drive down to try to decide if I should marry Max or Adonis.

“This job exposes us to lots of things. One being cases of domestic violence. In my time here there have been far too many cases of domestic abuse.”

He isn’t wrong. I’ve gotten several calls about it already.

“Prue, I’m concerned about you.”

About me? “Why?” I live alone.

“That man that answered your door isn’t a good man.”

“Vex? You’re worried about Vex?” My mouth drops open.

“Even that name doesn’t inspire trust. A woman alone in the city can’t be too careful about who she trusts.”

He’s right, but it’s Vex he’s talking about.

“Now I know sometimes it might seem in the beginning all perfect and easy.”

Perfect? Nothing about my life is perfect. Except maybe my craft room.

“But things can deteriorate quickly. Most people are so in love they can’t hear the warnings, but I want you to know if at any time you feel uncomfortable, we’re here for you. You don’t ever have to be afraid or embarrassed. It’s not wrong for you to trust a person.”

Is Adonis even real? That has to be the sweetest thing. “Thank you. I really appreciate the offer.”

His shoulders sag. “But you trust him.”

With my life. “Yes. If it were any other man, I wouldn’t trust as freely. But Vex is different.”

“How is he different?”

Can I even explain it? My heart just knows. “Vex saved my life. He protected me when another person might have viewed it as an opportunity to take advantage of me. I know he seems like a person who could crush bones with his bare hands, but he’s really a very gentle man.”

“There’s nothing about that man that’s gentle. He wanted to kill me for bringing you soup. If you hadn’t been there, he might have tried.”

Vex seemed angry, but not violent. “He doesn’t like surprises. And somehow he’s got it stuck in his head that you have a thing for me. Vex thinks you’re trying to take advantage of your power as my boss.” I probably shouldn’t have said all that, but Adonis needs to understand that Vex is just looking out for me. “He’s very protective. And he seems to think I can’t take care of myself.”

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