Page 199 of Dark Love

Thwarted again. Almost kissing stinks.

With Vex gone, I might as well check out all of his books, excluding the ones in climate-controlled cases. Those are a little scary and probably stupidly old and expensive.

Info And Favors

Vex

“What?” I all but shout at Payne as I answer the call. “This better be good. I just told Dahlia I love her.”

“You said it?”

Why is that such a surprise? You told me I was falling for her. “Why did you call?”

“That can wait. We need to know what happened?”

We? Payne just told Imogene. “We don’t need to know anything. What I need to know is why you called me?”

“Did she cry?” Imogene shouts.

These people are going to drive me out of my mind. “I’m hanging up in three seconds.”

“Shock has been trying to contact you. He foundsomething.”

I groan. “Fine, I’ll call him.” Then while I’m at it, I’ll call Ethan. Might as well get all the irritating things done at once. Then I can enjoy my evening with Dahlia.

“Vex, I just want you to know I’m happy for you.”

Payne happy? Those words don’t go together. But it could also be said, I don’t remember the last time in my life that I was ever happy. “Thanks.” I click off the phone.

Switching phones, I dial Shock’s direct line.

It rings a half a dozen times before Shock picks up. “Bad things. Really bad things are happening.”

I roll my eyes at the dramatic tone he takes. “Can you be a little more specific?”

“Not on the phone.”

“We aren’t spies.”

“Not on the phone.”

“Fine, I’ll be in tomorrow morning.” After Dahlia leaves. Everything about that is wrong. She’s going to be out of my sight and my reach for a week.

Alone.

Unprotected.

Which is completely unacceptable and about to change.

“Don’t call Mr. Vincenti.”

My squirrely hacker took too many energy drinks this morning. “I’ll have to fill him in anyway.” Working together and all of that nonsense is a pain.

“Not about this.”

Barb. Shock found something about Barb. “Do I need to adjust our security?”

“No.”

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