Page 155 of Dark Love

“I’m not a fool.”

“No.” He gives me a cheeky wink. “Your weapon sleeps next to you every night.”

And he’s not going to let me live that down.

The doorbell rings.

Gun. Vex. Door.

“Stop,” I almost shout.

He actually stops mid-step halfway down the first flight.

“That could be my mother. You’re not answering the door for my mother with a gun in your hand dressed like that.”

“You need a better security system.”

Huh? “What does that have to do with answering the door with a gun?”

“Because we would know who’s at the door before you answer it. I’m having a new one installed tomorrow.”

“I don’t need a new security system. The one I have works perfectly well.” Instead of heading to the bathroom, I grab my robe and head down the stairs.

Vex waits for me to catch up. “This isn’t up for discussion. The new system will be installed tomorrow.”

“Fine.” Why am I going to fight to feel less safe in my own home? “But we should probably wait a month or two. I spent a bit more than normal this month.” It’s not like I couldn’t afford it, but I don’t like spending excessively, and with the convention next week my monthly expenses are super high.

“What it costs doesn’t matter.”

“Of course, it matters.” Does Vex think I’m made of money just because I live in a nice house? Everyone doesn’t own a nightclub that practically prints money every night.

Wait, is he a forger? Is that why everyone thinks he’s a criminal? Night clubs are a good place to launder money according to the television. Forgery doesn’t sound like a terrible crime. He could probably stop now that he’s wealthy.

“No, it doesn’t, because I’ll be paying for it.”

What? “You’re not paying for my security system.”

“Yes, I am.”

“We had this fight before. I’m not comfortable with you paying for my things.”

Vex stops on the stair in front of me, blocking my path down. “You’re getting a new security system. And I’m paying for it.”

“You really aren’t good at compromising, are you?”

“Not even a little bit. Your safety is important to me. When I’m not here, I need to make sure you’re safe.” Vex brushes a finger across my cheek.

“You know that’s cheating, right?”

“I play to win.”

Irritating man. “Fine.”

Vex chuckles. The doorbell rings and his face changes. “If you lived anywhere else, you wouldn’t be answering the door.”

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re kind of sexy when you’re overprotective?”

“Dahl, we have company.”

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