Page 16 of Scary Suitor

“Is something wrong, officer?” Alina asks, fiercely glaring at me through her lashes.

“I have some routine questions to note in your case file,” he reveals.

Social cues and professionalism are not his strong suits. A civil or criminal case is best talked about with fellow cops, with given permission, or a tactical approach when in front of an unrelated audience.

Although, I practice my business very discretely. I shouldn’t hold others to the same standard.

“I was just asking this gentleman if he saw anything yesterday,” the cop inquires with raised brows.

My eyes roam her body greedily, relishing the scowl on her face, and being mesmerized by her mouthing questions. I silently promise to answer her questions after this pestering man leaves.

“I didn’t notice anything out of place,” I comment, eyeing Alina’s flushing cheeks. “I was home all day.”

The man writes it down, thanking me for my cooperation under his breath, and bids his departure to us. He radios his partner to bring the patrol car around to the basement level, presumably to not walk a distance since the second elevator leads to the underground parking.

A chorus of questions spits from her mouth, but none registers in my head. The sunlight bathes her in luster, and I drink in every dip and curve as if I’ve never seen such perfection before.

Meeting her was a blessing, and I’m starting to believe in fate’s favoritism.

Crooking a finger, I signal her closer. She scoffs and crosses her arms, sauntering to the apartment unit beside mine.

I wanted to keep Finny in Alina’s life as a bargaining chip, easy leverage to keep Alina from being a bad girl, so I had this apartment’s previous tenant kicked out for my use.

We moved beside each other from day one, but I kept to myself and pretended I was the old renter.

My large hand loops around her waist, spinning her to my chest, and I dig my fingers into her plush hip. She hits my chest, shoving her small hands on my strong body to leave.

Alina huffs heatedly, sneering as I keep the arm around her. The hostile vigor staggers, and I can almost hear her carping about affronted pride and me using a little power to keep her still while she has to exert help from the deities.

“Did you go to the police?” I ask, gleeful.

I want confirmation from her.

She purses her lips, disgust marring her soft features as her eyes dart to the side. For someone who claims to be so terrified of me, her body speaks a contrast that tears a purr from my chest.

“You did, didn’t you, pretty?” I laugh, uncaring if others can hear it.

“Why are you happy? You should be worried the police are going to arrest you!” The incredulous noise is encumbered with enchantment.

“I’m so proud of you for standing up for yourself,” I praise, the hand on her hip gliding up her waist to spread my rough fingers over the curve.

She bristles and shoves me away with a shockingly powerful push. Her legs trip on the ground, stumbling back when more sunlight kisses her skin. Golden rays adorn her like sheer silk on an ethereal goddess.

“I will never let you go,” I whisper, willfully unhinged.

The police can take her case, bump it up after analyzing the dead man’s Polaroid, and even assign detectives to focus on the crime. Her life will be crawling with cops, people associating with her will be background checked, then soon, their attention will shine on me.

She’ll be on their side, pointing her finger disparagingly at me before listing off the things I’ve done to her.

Doneforher.

I kept her safe on the streets, looked out for her when she was at home through hidden cameras, and purchased her gifts. I went overboard, I admit that. The selection of evening dresses or weekly funded trips isn’t essential. But she needed employment propositions in New York City—my territory, to offer better protection.

“Don’t—” Alina stutters, dodging my lunging arm.

“Let me touch you, pretty,” I chide impatiently.

She sprints down the hall, successfully taking five big steps before the same arm curls around her waist again. Her back hits my chest, knocking out a startled gasp and a shout. My eyes are calculating, shrouded in excitement, pinning her squirming body with one hardened glare.

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