Page 13 of Wicked Riddles & Bitter Heartbeats

Think, Atticus. Think.

One thing at a time. Cover story first.

Lilah needs a cover story. Something that won’t have the cops asking too many questions or getting suspicious, and something that won’t link her to me. If they check her cell, they’ll know she was thereandhere. Unless she forgot it. I didn’t see it with her, but she could still have it. If she left it at the house, that would help.

Does she have friends? Does she go anywhere normally?

If I want to come up with a good story for her, I’ll need more information. See what her routine is and what would be believable. She needs to help me with this.

There’s a soft knock on the door, and I look up, finding her standing there as if she knew I was thinking about her.

See, we really are connected.

“I have an idea,” she says. “A cover story.”

“I’m listening,” I say, turning my chair to face her and leaning back, spreading my legs to get comfortable. Her gaze dips between my legs, checking out my bulge, but it’s only for a quick second before she’s walking to me and sitting on the edge of the desk. She’s still pantless, and I’m still wondering if she has panties on. Her legs are pressed together just enough that I can’t tell. I’m tempted to scoop the hem of the shirt up just to peek. But if I know she’s bare…

“Steven and I went out to get weed for him. We got back to the house, and I broke the terrible news—I’m leaving him for you. You were waiting to pick me up because you know he can be abusive. I left my cell there. Since he pays for it, I didn’t think it was right to take it. We leave together but pass a suspicious man on the street on the way. It was too dark to recall what he looked like.”

It’s… a start. Not awful. Believable, mostly.

“That’s not solid enough,” I answer, my gaze dipping to her legs again. I can’t seem to stop looking. “But I like the way you’re thinking.”

I bring my hand to rest on her thigh, keeping my eyes on hers. She doesn’t react to my touch. Not even a flinch. Not a smile. Nothing.

“What’s going to make it solid is my father,” she adds, blue eyes brightening with mischief.

“Your father?” I question, brushing my thumb along her smooth skin.

She nods. “That’s right. All I have to do is tell Daddy to cover for me, and he will. He’s already in jail for life, and he’d do anything to protect me.”

Fuck, nowthatreally makes my dick hard.

“You’re serious?” I question.

“Very.”

“You’re a genius.” I grin, sliding my fingers along her inner thigh as I scoot forward.

She shrugs, smirking. “I try my best.”

“How will you speak with your father?”

“Just leave that up to me. I’ve got it handled.”

I narrow my eyes, unsure about that. I trust her, but I don’t think I trust herthatmuch.

She hops off the desk and my hand falls to my lap. Kitten leans forward, putting her hands on the arms of the chair.

“Trust me. I won’t let you down.” She presses her lips to the corner of my mouth in the gentlest kiss I’ve ever experienced. “Night, night.”

Then she’s gone.

Yeah… trouble, indeed.

Chapter Six

Lilah

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