Page 20 of The Hermit

The housekeeper flits around the table, bringing the silverware and glass of water to where I’m sitting.

Ian takes a seat at the head of the table while Ciara sits down on his left. Grace, on the other hand, picks up a knife and fork and comes to place it across from me.

“Grace,” Ian hisses.

“It’s fine,” I say, my eyes glued to the woman as she takes a seat.

While the housekeeper places a plate with steak, creamy mashed potatoes, and beans in front of each of us, I don’t break eye contact with Grace.

“Do you find the cottage to your liking?” Ian asks.

Not looking away from Grace, I mutter, “It will do for the time being.”

With a spark of fire in her eyes, she takes a sip of her water, then asks, “How many people have you killed, Mr. Varga?”

“Jesus, Grace,” Ian barks. “Can you at least try to be civil?”

I wave a hand at him to not interfere, then answer, “I stopped keeping count in my twenties.”

When I pick up my silverware, Grace does the same. We both take a bite of our food before she asks, “How old are you?”

“Thirty-eight.”

The corner of her mouth lifts in a cynical smile, and she shakes her head. “You don’t think you’re a little too old to be marrying a twenty-six-year-old?”

The age difference would bother me if I were to take the marriage seriously.

“She’s over twenty-one,” I mutter, finding this interaction entertaining.

Giving me a condescending look, she mutters, “I think it’s safe to assume you have no moral values.”

The corner of my mouth lifts while I cut another piece of my steak. “Moral values have no place in our world.”

Grace stares at me for a moment before taking another sip of water. “What does your family think about the arranged marriage, or are they all the same as you?”

Again, I find myself being a little too forthcoming with this woman as I answer, “I grew up in an orphanage, and the only person I consider my family accepts everything I tell her without argument.” My teeth tug at my bottom lip as my eyes sharpen on her. “Unlike you.”

“Her?” Grace tilts her head. “Is she the reason you want the marriage to be in name only?”

I shake my head. “I have no desire to be in a romantic relationship with anyone.”

We both take a bite of our food, and as soon as Grace is done swallowing, she asks, “So you prefer sleeping around instead of committing to one person?”

I inhale deeply, then mutter, “No.”

Her eyebrows lift at me. “No? You don’t sleep around like every other man in our world?”

Why the fuck am I not losing my patience with her?

My eyes narrow on Grace. “I don’t like people. They annoy the fuck out of me.” Lifting a hand to my face, I swipe my thumb over my lips, then add, “Unless I get to kill someone. That’s always fun.”

“The meal is delicious,” Ian suddenly says while letting out a nervous chuckle. “Dominik, what do you prefer to eat? I’ll have our housekeeper prepare it for tomorrow.”

The corner of my mouth lifts in a dangerous smirk as I keep my eyes locked on Grace. “Fiery blonds who are too brave for their own good.” Tilting my head, my tone drops low until Isound predatory. “I bet you’d taste spicy.” My eyes flick to the mouse, who’s watching us with huge blue eyes, before I look back at Grace. “I don’t have a sweet tooth at all.”

GRACE

My heart is hammering in my chest, and a fine coat of sweat beads over my body.

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