Page 436 of Dark Love

And now to the bad part. “I need to go.”

“What? But we had plans. Books and bed aren’t exciting plans, but they’re plans.”

Books and bed with Dahlia are the most riveting plans I ever made. “I’m sorry. Something came up and I need to leave.”

“Something came up… at work? But I thought the club is closed right now. How could something—" Her mouth snaps shut. “You have to…”

I have no idea what I have to do, but most likely someone is going to die today, and it isn’t going to be me. “I have to go.”

Her eyes get wild and her hand starts to tremble.

Dyce can wait. There’s no way I’m leaving Dahlia when she looks like this. I stride around the corner and pull her into my arms. “Dahl.”

“Vex?”

How can I expect her to get comfortable with me when I hide everything from her? “Go ahead and ask. If I can answer, I will.”

“Are you going to be in danger?”

She’s worried about me. Dahlia isn’t worried about the monster that I am. She’s worried I’ll get hurt. That worry I can assuage. “No, Dahl. I’m meeting an acquaintance.”

Dahlia lets out a long sigh.

There’s no need to worry about the death and destruction that comes after.

“When will you be home?”

Home… Four little letters rock my world, making everything go topsy-turvy. “I don’t know. Possibly a few hours, or I might not make it back until tomorrow.” If this takes until tomorrow, someone is going to pay in blood.

“Oh…okay.”

Temptation is the pouting lips begging to be kissed in front of me.

Walk away. Time isn’t standing still, even though every second with her feels like a lifetime of beauty. “Now go eat before your egg gets cold.” It takes more effort to let my arms fall away from her body than it does to do a hundred pushups.

Which I haven’t done today.

I hustle upstairs to get dressed.

***

As I walk down the steps, there are only a few more moments that I can enjoy this utopia Dahlia lives in. When I walk out the door, the emotionless killer inside of me needs to come out.

“Vex? Is that you?”

It better be me or someone is dying before I walk out this door. “Yeah, Dahl.”

“I’m coming.” She rushes to the foyer. “Good, I finished in time.” Dahlia lifts up a little floral thermos and matching lunchbox.

“What is that?”

“Your breakfast.”

My what?

“I wasn’t sure what you’d have time for, but I didn’t want you to be hungry all day. So this is a protein smoothie with kale, spinach, apples, celery, and some berries. You can drink it on the way. And if you have time, I made your omelet into a sandwich.”

“You made me breakfast?”

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