Page 65 of Wicked Riddles & Bitter Heartbeats

It’s silent for a while but I can tell she isn’t sleeping. Her breathing isn’t slow enough. I spend many nights awake, just watching her sleep.

“Are you really going to kill my uncle?” is what she finally says.

“Yes.”

“You’re not worried?”

“No.”

“How can you be so sure you won’t get caught?”

I run my hand through her hair, pulling her closer to me.

“I’ve been doing this a long time, and sometimes the best thing to do is tonotoverthink.”

“For the record, I think it’s a bad idea.” She kisses my neck, nuzzling her face there.

“For the record, I don’t care.”

I kiss her forehead, wanting to ask what he did to her but knowing if she does, I may not be able to wait to kill him. Or worse—the darkness will do it, get out of control, and wewillget caught.

“I need you to do me a favor,” I tell her.

“Of course, Atty.”

“I need you to tell me what he did to you—”

She jerks up to sit. “No, I—”

“After I kill him.”

Her eyes narrow as she stares down at me. “After?”

“Yes, Kitten.” I pull her back to me, making her lay down where she was. “I know what he did is bad just by the way you reacted. I know that if you were to tell me now, I’d kill him in his bed. That’s a bad idea. So I’m controlling the urges as best I can.”

Her hand slides up my chest, settling over my heart. My balls miss it, but… this is nice too.

“I promise I will.”

I’m not sure how she did it, but Lilah found my brother’s phone number. We got a burner phone so I can call him without it being traced back to me.

We’re in Boston, by the marina. It’s bustling with people even though winter is right around the corner. This city never stops, no matter the season.

“Do you need anything?” Lilah asks as she puts her hand on my arm.

It pulls me out of my thoughts, and I wake the phone screen.

“No, thank you.”

I dial the number that I memorized, bringing it to my ear and listening to it ring.

“James Erickson,” he answers.

“Hello, James.”

“Who is this?” he asks.

“Someone you want to know.”

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