Page 25 of My Vigilante Valentine

Momentous.

Like my world had shifted on its axis.

Because this time, someone knew who I was. Who I really was—beneath the mask and behind the blades. And instead of feeling exposed or compromised, I feltlighter.

Like maybe having someone in my corner wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, even if that someone was impossibly cheerful and asked way too many questions.

“But you’ll be back tomorrow, right?” she asked, causing me to turn.

Her voice held a kind of hopeful anticipation that I couldn’t ignore.

Why? Because I felt it, too, as much as I hated to admit it.

Even to myself.

“Same broody corner?” she prompted.

Getting close to anyone was a risk I couldn’t afford. Not with the life I led and the secrets I kept. My refusal should have come easy, but it didn’t. Not with her looking at me like she saw something worthwhile, even though I had a hard time with that myself some days.

“Maybe,” I said.

Her grin widened, lighting up her whole face. “Good. Because I have so many more questions.”

I grunted. Of course she did.

She turned the screen toward me as she pushed the green button on her phone, waving me away. “Go. Be mysterious. I’ll handle this.”

I hesitated for a beat, but then I went… only to pause at the door, glancing back one last time.

I told myself it was to make sure she was really okay.

That I wasn’t already addicted to her presence or her light.

Luna paced near the counter while she spoke to the 911 dispatcher, her face a mixture of calm and excitement. And just before I slipped out, she looked up and caught my eye.

And that smile?

Yeah. Definitely more dangerous than any weapon I carried.

Bowing my head, I disappeared into the night, letting the shadows wrap around me. As promised, I didn’t go far until I was sure she was safe.

But later, as I made my way across the rooftops of Slate Harbor, the usual silence felt... different. The city was the same, the shadows still mine to claim, but something had shifted. And I couldn’t shake the feeling that it all came back to her.

The only question was… if I didn’t have the strength to stay away, how bad would this turn out to be?

7

mr. wilde brew

I picked up an overpriced, organic apple and gave it a squeeze.

I was trying not to think about Jax, but what should’ve been a quick trip to the hippie-dippie market near my shop was becoming an all-day thing.

It had to be my brain’s fault. I was overstimulated, that was all. It had nothing to do with Jax, aka The Blade.

The fluorescent lights were blinding, and the smell of patchouli had my stomach ready to roll.

Oh, and the Indie music that blared from the overhead speakers? I was seconds away from buying a pair of eco-friendly earplugs from the pharmacy section just so I didn’t have to hear it anymore.

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