Page 26 of Wicked Riddles & Bitter Heartbeats

Her smile does something to me. Something… I’ve never felt before. Something I didn’t know I was capable of feeling. I would do anything to see that smile, and if it means buying her things, then I’m fine with that. Because she looks at me like I hung thestars when I make her come. I will take care of her in every way she needs because she’s mine.

Lilah is sucking her fingers clean after devouring a bag of Cheetos when I reach the gated community my brother lives in. I come to a stop and roll down my window to speak with security.

“Morning,” the guard greets, hopping out of the small building.

“Good morning, sir. I have a meeting with the property manager.”

“Name, please?”

“Jared Peterson.”

He pops back into the small building and does something on his computer.

Breaking into the place was a risk I didn’t need to take. If all I have to do is give a fake name and make an appointment to get inside, why wouldn’t I?

When I found out where my brother lived, thanks to browsing the internet, I looked into the community. It’s a nice place—if you like this sort of thing. There is no way in hell I’d ever be a part of something like this. When you move into these places, you’re making a silent agreement to befriend everyone else who lives here. No fucking thank you. It’s like a step down from a cult.

“I see you here for eleven,” the guard says. “Once you’re inside, you’re going to take a left, then follow the road around the curve. The main building is labeled as so, and there is a large parking lot with fountains. You can’t miss it.”

“Thank you,” I say with a smile.

“Thanks, sir!” Lilah says loudly as I start to drive off and roll up the window.

The gates slowly open, and once I’m inside, I follow the man’s directions. But before stopping at the main building, I take a detour down a few roads to pass by James’ house.

Not showing up for the appointment will raise an alarm, I’m sure, so that isn’t what I’m going to do. I’ll have to be creative with this manager and see what I can get out of him.

James’ house looks exactly like all the others. A cookie-cutter two-story house with a one-car garage. There are no decorations in the front yard, and all their doors are the same color. Bet they have no say in that.

“Looks culty,” Lilah comments as she stares out the window.

I huff out a laugh. “Precisely what I was thinking.”

My gaze stays on James’ house for as long as I can as I drive by. There is no car in the driveway, but it could be in the garage. Though, his house feels empty. I drive back the way I came and park in the large lot. Lilah and I get out, and we make our way to the main entrance.

“I have rules,” I say, turning to face Lilah with my hand on the handle of the front door. No, this isn’t a dangerous situation, but I should have had this conversation with her before we even left the house.

She gives me a bright smile. “I will do anything you say.”

Every word that comes out of her mouth, I believe it. So I nod and open the door for her.

She links her hand with mine, and we walk to the front desk. A bright young woman sits behind it and looks up at us with a smile when we reach it.

“You must be Mr. Peterson.”

“That’s me.”

“And your wife?” she asks, looking at Lilah.

“Sure am,” Lilah says through a giggle. “I’m still not used to the Mrs. part. It’s so new.”

Lilah wraps her free hand around my bicep, squeezing.

She should have been an actress. Each time I see her putting on an act for me, I want to ravage her.

“So sweet,” the woman says. “You both can have a seat right over there. I’ll let Mr. Wintz know you’re here, and he should be out shortly.”

When we turn, Lilah looks up at me with a smug smile. I can’t help but smirk.

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