Page 156 of Dark Love

“Next time we stay at your place.”

“Done.”

Everything is irritating, including the sexy smirk on his face. “Stay here.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He winks, and my tummy does a somersault.

It’s too early in the morning for all this. I storm down the last flight and a half.

What is Hope doing here? I swing the door open. “Hey.”

“Hi. Sorry, did I wake you up?”

“No. I was up.” Just barely.

Hope raises an eyebrow at me.

Fine, I’m still in a robe and my hair is doing its impression of a rat’s nest. “No one likes a showoff.”

She giggles.

“I’m surprised you aren’t grounded.”

“Oh, I am VERY grounded. But Dad said I could come over and check on you before my official grounding started.”

Very grounded doesn’t sound good. “I’m sorry. Do you want me to go over and talk to your dad?”

“Nah. It’s not as bad as it sounds. I have to stay home for two days with no phone or television.” She fake pouts. “And I can’t go climbing for a week.”

“Oh my, so harsh.” I grin back at her.

“Dad is a softy. But Nonno almost lost his mind, even though he understands I went to protect a friend.”

“And you shouldn’t be running around with a gun and a knife.”

She tips her head to the side. “Why not? It’s my gun. Nonno gave it to me when I was eleven.”

Eleven!!!!

“I’m a better shot than everyone, even my dad. Well, that’s not quite true, Aleksei and Sascha are better than me, but not by much. Nonno said I could be a sniper if I wanted to.”

Hope, the sweet little girl in front of me, a sniper?!? Those two don’t seem to go together. “Your grandfather just handed you a gun?”

“No, that would be stupid. Gun safety is a real thing in my life. Are you safe? Because I could teach you how to use one. Or tell my dad to get rid of that guy.”

Why can’t people see through the slightly scary façade that Vex puts up?

“You just looked up at the stairs.” Hope gapes at me. “He’s here. Vex is here. And you’re in your pajamas.”

Lie. Lie like you’ve never lied before. “Um.”

“I knew it. He’s up there standing guard, isn’t he? Don’t even try to lie to me. I know he’s there.”

It’s official. I am the worst liar in the world, and I don’t even need to say anything to give myself away. “Want to come in for some breakfast?”

“Breakfast was hours ago. So are you two—" She wiggles her eyebrows at me.

This is not happening.

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