Page 16 of Wicked Riddles & Bitter Heartbeats

I can’t help that my eyebrows shoot up.

“Really?” I gush. “No one has ever taken me out to a romantic dinner before.”

“Funny. Me either.” He smirks, adding, “Maybe it would be nice if you wore some sexy panties under that dress.”

“Is that so?” My stomach does a little flip.

Atticus and I have quickly fallen into comfort with one another. I feel like I’ve known him my entire life. The way I’m comfortable with him reminds me of the way I am with my father. Of course, it’s much different with Atticus because I don’t want to fuck my father and I’ve thought of fucking Atticus more times than I can count. I bet his crazy ass has a big fat cock.

“Yes.”

“Hm, that’s too bad.” He looks at me questioningly. “I wasn’t going to wear any.”

“Fuck, kitty’s bringing out the claws.”

I laugh, shaking my head. Hard to believe I met this man just a few days ago. The way we get along is refreshing. I’ve never had someone I get along with so well. Not even Stacy, who was my friend from high school. We were close up until all that shit happened with my father. Then she, like everyone else in my life, abandoned me.

“Do you believe in twin flames?” I ask.

“What the fuck is that?”

“It’s said your twin flame is the other half of your soul.”

He scoffs. “Sorry to break it to you, Kitten, but I’m pretty sure I don’t have one of those.”

“Of course you do. Everyone does.”

“Well, if I do, it’s black as night.”

“Then I guess mine is too.” I take his hand, linking our fingers. “Because I’m pretty sure our souls belong together.”

Chapter Seven

Atticus

I told Lilah not to go overboard with getting dressed for our date. I made reservations at a nice place, but there’s no need to stress about it, like she was doing when we got home. Once I got her to calm down, she smiled, thanked me, then disappeared into her bedroom.

I’m going to have the happiest stray cat on the block. Hell, in the entire Boston area.

Juniper’s is a restaurant I remember from when I was a child. My parents would take us there for a family dinner once a month, but I’ve never been back since. My lifestyle drastically changed when my parents died, and I was sent to foster care. I went into the system with no money and nothing but the clothes I could fit in my duffel and backpack. No one cared that I camefrom money; they only cared that I didn’t have any then. I lost things and gained things as I was bounced from house to house, but in the end, I didn’t come out with anything more than I went in with. Nothing but the terrible memories and hatred for humankind. Though, if I’m being honest, my hatred for humans was there on day one.

When I aged out of the system, I survived on nothing for three years, until I had access to everything my parents left me. The house, the life insurance money, plus all the money they had everywhere else. I became a millionaire overnight, and that was a fucking relief. It helped keep my stress level down, which had me thinking more clearly and controlling the dark urges a little easier. I’m aware enough to know these urges are never going away. I’ve accepted the fact that I am a serial killer, someone who enjoys ending people’s lives for no explainable reason. Trust me, I’ve done the research and can’t come up with any excuse for being the way I am.

Ever since I discovered that I have a brother, I can’t stop wondering if he’s like me.

Does he have these dark, wild urges? Are we the same?

Or did our mother give me up because she saw the evil in me the moment she pushed me out?

I go from hating my brother to fondly wondering about him.

Then I hate him again.

The only way I’ll truly know anything about him is to meet him. Which I am going to do.

Once I get Kitten settled a little more, I’m going to dive into this plan and lay out every detail.

She’s got her room at my house, we have a cover story, and she has a ton of brand-new clothes. It’ll only be a short time before the cops are looking to question her about Steven’s death. It’s only been a few days, and since he didn’t have a job, it’ll take a while for someone to find him. Once that happens, and the copsspeak with her, I’m good to hunt down my brother and find out what the fuck his deal is.

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