Page 120 of The Villain

“Oh, Darius…”

“I don’t know if I can,” he admitted low. “If I should.”

“Maybe it deserves more than to be hidden, preservedunder a cover and known only by the people closest to it,” I said softly, framing his face. “Maybe it deserves to live its life now, too.”

The tension released from his shoulders with a big shudder and groan just before he kissed me, long and deep and slow, before he drew back.

“I love you, Angel.”

“I love you, too.”

“We should go.” He took my hand and started pulling me.

“Go where?” I balked but didn’t do much to resist him as he led us right through the front door.

“There’s a meteor shower tonight.” His eyes twinkled when he told me, and my heart skipped in my chest.

“Darius, what are you doing?” I let out a sound between a laugh and a cry as he locked the front door from the inside and closed it—locking us out.“My purse is in there, and my keys?—”

He pulled me into his arms, his lips finding the shell of my ear. “Good thing I know how to pick a lock.”

Epilogue

Dare

Three months later…

“You need anything?” I leaned through the doorway.

“Nope.” Ty didn’t even look up from his computer. Lately, his work had claimed his focus with the same exacting precision as a knife through his chest.

With Ivans and Wenner gone, it was only Belmont left. Bernard Belmont. The man whose castle of cards was finally starting to crumble around him and who was battening down the hatches to shield himself from consequence.

Nodding, I grunted a goodbye and headed through the garage for the door.

I’d left Ryan’s bike—my bike—parked outside since I’d only stoppedby to grab a few things. No sense in opening up a whole bay.

I reached for the handle and swung the door wide and came face-to-face with a raised fist. Not intended for me—but to knock on the door.

The owner of the fist instantly lowered it, his startled expression holding him in silence.

“Can I help you?”

“I’m looking for Tynan Bates.” The stranger pushed his narrow glasses higher and tried to look around me. “Is he here?”

My eyes narrowed, immediately assessing the man.

Everything about him was worn. From his voice to his frown to his tattered gray suit. Even the black sedan still running in the driveway was dirtied and scraped like it hadn’t seen a wash in a decade.

“Who are you?” Like hell I was going to tell him if Ty was here or not before I even knew who the hell he was.

With a huff, he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a card, glancing over his shoulder in the process. This time, when I followed his line of sight back to his car, I saw a shadow move in the back seat.

He wasn’t alone.

My spine tingled and my fingers twitched at my side, ready to reach for my weapon should this guy decide to do something stupid.

“Officer Daws.”

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