Page 541 of Dark Love

Even worse, she has to go to work soon. I hate that I have to share her with a job.

Why can’t she stay home all day and write in her pajamas… Or I could quit work too and we could move to a deserted island.

All alone in the sun and san—

My alarm beeps a single low tone. The one I assigned to my private garage by the elevator. Someone broke into the garage.

Or it could be a rat. We’ve had two sneak in down there in the last few years. With a tap, the camera feed pulls up as well as the thermal scan.

Someone broke in alright.

There aren’t many locks that can keep Torment out.

“What do you want?” We’re friends, but not good enough friends that he can show up at my place unannounced while Dahlia is here.

“We need to talk. Now.”

Manners were bred into Torment to the point that I wasn’t even sure he was capable of being rude. Whatever happened is going to ruin my already not great day. I let him in and walk towards the elevator door.

Torment earned my respect many years ago. He’s also the best hunter on the planet and in reverse the best person if you need someone hidden for a while. Because of that, he doesn’t always stay on the right side of the law. I need him out of here before Dahlia gets out of the bathroom.

That gives us about twenty-five minutes, which should be more than enough time. The elevator doesn’t take long to arrive.

“Torment.” I give him a slight bow as I offer my hand to shake.

“Vex.” He returns the gesture. “How is Payne?”

“Good.” Head over heels for a woman whose name he shouldn’t even know, but surprisingly good. “How is your father? Were you able to find the tree he wanted?”

“He is well, but I haven’t found the tree yet.”

Is it an actual tree? Or is that code for something I don’t want to know about? “Can I take your coat?”

Torment shrugs out of his jacket. His hair falls down his back in a sheet of black. Women would kill for hair that shiny and black. Payne’s probably right. There’s some cultural reason Torment won’t cut it.

Torment’s eyes widen slightly as his gaze stops somewhere behind me.

Dahlia! There wasn’t enough time for her to get ready.

“Shut your eyes.” There’s no need to add a threat onto the end of that statement. With a twist and a pivot, I step between Torment and Dahlia.

She’s frozen in embarrassment. If her face gets any redder, she might spontaneously combust. Like a deer stuck in the trance of headlights, she just stands there.

“Dahlia, go back and get dressed.”

“I didn’t know you had company.”

That’s quite obvious. “I wasn’t expecting any.”

“I… um… need to put some brownies on or they won’t be ready before I go to work.”

My sleepy Dahl can’t even think straight. “Go get ready. We’ll pick up something from the bakery, before Torment slips and opens his eyes and I’ll need to kill him.”

“Your friends have weird names.”

Torment chuckles.

She turns to walk away, shouting over her shoulder. “We aren’t bringing store-bought brownies.”

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