Page 56 of Wicked Riddles & Bitter Heartbeats

“Anything you want, Kitten. Can’t wait.”

I end the call and get out of the car, shoving the phone and my key into my pocket. I hurry across the street and follow the same path I just saw the woman go.

There is a possibility this isn’t Violet. It could be a prostitute or a child sneaking home. It could be anyone, but… something in my gut tells me it’s her. So I do the only thing I can do. I follow my instincts and walk through the darkness.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Atticus

I move quickly, my heart threatening to pound right out of my chest. I did not look at the layout of this house prior to coming here because I hadn’t anticipated having to go inside.

Stupid, Atticus. You’re getting messy.

The back door is closed when I reach it but not locked. I quickly head inside, closing it behind me and stopping a moment to look around.

Even without knowing the layout of the house, it should be simple to figure out. A lot of the houses in this area are similar. The back door leads into the kitchen almost always, and it’s no different this time.

The kitchen is the width of the house with two doors on the far wall: one on the left and one on the right, with the fridge and asmall counter between. I don’t know what either door leads to, nor do I know whichshetook. All I can do is go off instinct, and so I choose the one on the left because it’s further away.

My gut has never failed me before; don’t fail me tonight.

The moment I step through the doorway, a dark shadow lunges for me. I hold my arm up in defense, and there’s a sharp searing pain on my cheek so I jerk backwards, holding both arms up. A gasp echoes through the house, along with the thud that follows.

“Atticus?” is whispered into the dark.

My hand comes up to touch my cheek.Wet. And it burns.

The scent of blood hits my nose as I turn to face where she stands, hidden in the darkened corner like a ghost.

“What are you doing here?” she hisses.

“What areyoudoing here?” I ask, even though I know exactly what she’s doing here.

“Business.”

I stare at her, unable to see her due to the darkness, but wanting to. Needing to.

“It’s not safe here. You need to come with me.”

“What do you mean it’s not safe?” she snaps.

I glance down the hall, wondering if the person who lives here is home.

“He’s not here,” she says, knowing exactly what I’m thinking.

“Good. Then we can get out safely. Come on.” I grab her arm and tug, but she shoves me off.

“Don’t touch me, Atticus. Tell me why you’re here.”

“I will tell you why I’m here when we get out of this fucking house,” I growl, reaching for her again. I’m desperate for her to come with me, so see her face, to make sure she’s still the same. I need to know she’s okay.

She dives under my arm, and I spin to face her, expecting her to run. She’s stopped about four feet from me, the moonlightflooding through the window and illuminating her face enough to know she’s still beautiful.

“Don’t do this, Violet. Please, come with me.”

“No,” she says. “I need to do this.”

“You’re going to get caught.”

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