Page 56 of The Phantom's Vice

“Do you like it?” Ghost asks, gesturing to the grand room. I have to admit—it is beautiful,especially during the day with the sun streaming in through the floor-to-ceiling windows on the back wall.

“It’s… stunning,” I murmur, hanging my head. “Why do you keep asking ifIlike it?”

“Your comfort is the utmost priority to me. I’m surprised you haven’t figured that out yet.”

I twist my fingers in my lap, feeling the weight of his stare on my face. “Right. Well—” I cut off as the mattress dips, and I jerk my head up to see Ghost crawling in next to me.

“Um, what the fuck are you doing?”

“Keeping you safe,” Ghost says, not missing a beat as he pulls me into his chest. “I will stay up and keep watch.”

“Can’t you do that—I don’t know—from the couch or something?” I see a leather armchair in the corner, and it looks comfy enough.

Ghost shakes his head against me. “No. I prefer to be close like this.”

“Of course you do.” I sigh, allowing my muscles to relax despite the leather gloves gripping my waist. His touch causes a swarm of butterflies to take flight in my belly, sending pulse waves of electricity to the tips of my fingers and toes. I squeeze my eyes tight, trying to convincemyself that it’s not real—that I’m dreaming or in a coma, and this is nothing more than some fucked-up, drug-induced hallucination.

Anything would be better than the alternative—that I truly do have a crush on Ghost. But no, that would be crazy. Like playing Russian roulette with an AK-47 crazy.

And I amnotcrazy.

However, as my eyelids become heavy and I start to drift, it occurs to me how comfortable I am tucked under his chin like this. It feelsright—like this murderous villain is the piece I’ve been missing my whole life.

Maybe I’m a little more fucked up than I realized.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

GHOST

The Code: Rule #18

Fornication muddles the mind and is strictly forbidden.

Brett’s headis on my chest.

I can’t believe my luck. I thought for sure I wouldn’t get to touch her anymore tonight by the way she was acting before she fell asleep. But almost immediately after she drifted off, her subconscious started looking for me. She reached out for me—forme—and then she rolled over, nestling deep against my side.

Brett Evangeline’s head is on my chest. I can die happy now.

I pull her tighter into me, breathing in the sweetscent of her shampoo as I tuck her head beneath my chin.This… is heaven.I glare at the morning light streaming in through the window, knowing it means Brett will awaken soon. Soon, I will have to let her go—give her space.

Space.I frown as the word bounces around the chasm of my mind.Spaceis the last thing I want from Brett. If I could, I would sew her inside me so she would never have to leave. So she would always be safe.

Brett’s face begins twitching, and my heart drops, knowing it won’t be long now. I pull her impossibly closer, wishing I could make the seconds stretch. Wishing I could control time so I could have just a few more hours like this with her.

Brett’s eyes crack open, and I wait for my heart-shattering reality to kick in. However, she surprises me by gifting me a small smile, her beautiful lashes fluttering enticingly.

“Good morning, darling,” I whisper, wanting so badly to place my lips against her forehead.If only this horrible mask wasn’t in the way.

“Good-good morning,” she stutters, lowering her eyes but still not pulling away. “Um… how long have I been like this?”

“All night.” My face breaks into a grin as Iremember the hours I stayed up, reveling in the electricity passing from her body to mine.

“Oh.” She raises her head to look at me, that little smirk still playing at the corner of my mouth. “I thought I felt something poking me.”

I chuckle, though it dies in my chest when she moves to sit up.No. Not yet. Please stay. Just for a little longer, just until I have enough of you to survive the day.Shaking those embarrassing thoughts away, I join her, my back spasming as I sit up.

Brett smiles at me, tucking a strand of midnight hair behind her ear. Then she looks down, and her entire demeanor changes.

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