Page 81 of Pretty Poisoned

"What's the surprise?" I ask apprehensively.

Declan steps aside for me to enter the room and then closes the door behind us.

"Sit," he says, gesturing toward the bed.

I do as he asks, and he begins rifling through a bag next to the TV. He takes out a book, hands it to me, and then lies across the bed beside me.

"It's a first edition," he says. "I found it at the thrift store."

I hold the copy ofLet the Right One Inin my hand. "It's beautiful," I tell him. "Thank you."

"I should have let you grab some more books before we left," Declan says. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I have the Kindle app on my phone."

"Not the same, though, is it?" he asks. "You're always reading from hard copies in your videos."

"Yeah, someday, I want to have my own library like yours."

"You already do," he says. "What's mine is yours."

"Well, thanks. Um, I guess I should—"

"Read it to me, Teagan," Declan says.

Go.That's what I was about to say—I should go.

"I marked the spot where you left off. I like the way your voice sounds. Please?"

"Okay," I say softly, uncomfortable but also not sure I have a choice.

I pull my legs onto the bed, recline against a pillow, and then open the book to the place he'd marked, and begin reading.

Declan lays his head in my lap and wraps an arm around my thighs. I pause, holding my breath.

"Keep going," he says, closing his eyes.

I read a couple of chapters, and then I guess I must have fallen asleep because when I open my eyes, the room is dark, and I'm under the covers next to Declan, his warm breath on my neck.

I panic and slowly slide out of bed, then grab my purse and leave the room, closing the door softly behind me. Then, I walk to the room three doors down and tap my key, unlocking it.

Luca is asleep next to River and Hazel. I consider leaving, unsure if I'm intruding, but instead, decide to stay on the couch. I slip out of my skirt and into a pair of shorts and lie down.

"Teagan," Luca says, his voice raspy with sleep. "Come here, baby."

He pulls the covers back, and I crawl into the space between him and River. He wraps me in his arms and kisses me on the forehead.

"You feel so perfect in my arms. I lo—" he starts.

"Settle down, Luca," River says. "Let her sleep."

But I don't think I would have minded so much to hear it this time.

"Good night, Teagan," he says.

"Good night," I whisper. I kiss him on the lips, then lie down on his chest, exhaling slowly. I close my eyes and easily slip back into a deep sleep.

And when I dream, I dream of Declan…smiling as I slit my own throat.

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