Page 45 of Falling for a Killer

“No.” There isn’t even a hint of doubt in my voice, and I hope she hears it. “I don’t plan on going anywhere, so if she can handle the truth, then tell her. I trust you.”

She leans in and kisses my lips softly. “Are you sure? I’ll be gossiping about you.”

“All good things, right? Are you going to tell her about how I make your toes curl?”

Or will she tell her how I was so clueless I had to Google periods to be helpful during that time of the month?

“Among other things.” Cryptic little minx. “I just hate lying to her.”

“I’m sorry you’ve had to. I’ve trusted you for a while... I should have shown you before now.”

Reaching out, I slide my hand through her hair and hold back another cough. “You should get some rest. I’ll at least wait to tell her until you’re feeling better.”

I hum a response because it’s all I got. My body is exhausted just from taking a shower, and I feel so warm, comfortable and safe I don’t have it in me to stay awake anymore. I’ll let Joey take the reins for now.

Twenty-Two:

Snarglefuck

The moment Killian pulls out of the driveway, I call my sister with knots in my stomach. I know she’s working and I hate to bother her, but something tells me she’ll want to hear this.

“You’re terrible at calling me when you say you will,” she says when she answers. “Is Windwinter in another dimension?”

Immediately, the tension in my shoulders loosens. This is my sister we’re talking about, she’ll be fine. It’ll be fine. “It feels like that sometimes. I’m actually calling to spill some serious tea, so I need you to take a lunch break and go somewhere private.”

“This is the call I’ve been needing.” She sounds way too excited for someone who doesn’t have a clue why I’m calling, and as I hear her lie to her boss about her husband needing to tell her about their kid’s doctor’s appointment, I relax a little further. “I’m going to my car, but you can get the tea flowing. What’s his name? How big is his dick?”

Leave it to Violet to see right through me. “His name is Killian, and he’s big enough that my organs know he’s there,” I laugh. “You’re not gonna believe how I met him though. Do you have any guesses?”

“Uhh... you... saved him from being attacked by a bear? No, wait, that was my baby Emmett. This isn’tTwilight. Oh, your car broke down and — bitch, just tell me. Is he hot? His name is hot.”

Butterflies erupt in my stomach. “He’s insanely hot. But Vi, before I tell you anything else, I need you to promise me that this stays between us. You can’t say a word, not even to Greg or mom or dad or anyone. Promise me.”

“Before I agree, tell me one thing. Are you safe?”

Her big sister voice tells me that’s her only true concern, and nothing else will really phase her.

“I’m safer now than I’ve ever been in my life.”

Her breath of relief is so loud, I pull the phone from my ear. “Okay. I promise I won’t say a word about your big-dicked man toy. Spill.”

“Well...” My heart beats louder, harder. “This cabin wasn’t empty when I got here. It was already occupied by a certain large, handsome fugitive who has been all over the news for weeks.”

“What?!” she shrieks, then lowers her voice to a whisper. “Wait, fugitive on the news? The guy who killed that piece of shit politician?”

“Yes. I swear I would’ve told you sooner but I wanted to wait until I was sure I was no longer his prisoner anymore,” I mutter. “And I’m not, so here we are. He’s a thousand times hotter than the fan arts have guessed. I can’t even describe it.”

“Prisoner? Oh my god, this is why you’ve been so flaky? But if you were his prisoner, why were you able to talk to me at all? I mean you could have said snarglefuck at any moment and I’d have had the police out there so fast.”

The fact that I completely forgot the safe word we created as children tells me I never really felt like I was in true danger here.

“It was touchy at first, but he’s not a bad man. He wasn’t planning on me being here, it just happened, and he had to react in the moment. I don’t think he would’ve truly stopped me if I tried to leave.”

“I know he’s not a bad man. He could have killed hella people on that street and chose to only kill the one that deserved it. He left potential witnesses alive, and that told me exactly the kind of man he is. I feel a little guilty now, I’ve been having wet dreams about your boyfriend, Joey. Half of the country has.”

“Don’t feel guilty. If you knew what he actually looks like, you’d cream sitting still. It’s almost not fair. He pointed a gun at me when we first met and I couldn’t see anything past his tattoos and bulge,” I admit, laying back on the couch and closing my eyes. “He’s a giver.”

“Shut up, I’m already in love.” Vi sighs. “Don’t shut up. Tell me more. Describe every detail. Which way does it curve?”

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