Page 39 of The Silent Night Stalker
Fuck, he’s like a wet puppy, desperate to be cared about. He accepts everything that I do to him, filled with so much faith. He shouldn’t trust anyone, but he does me. There’s no denying that it’s an addicting feeling having someone look up to you like that. Constantine was beaten down for so long, when all he wanted was a little love. To be told he was worth it. The lack of it clouded his mind, deluded him into believing that he was giving back the love he never got to those he killed. I’m not sure where to go with that, or if I should even bother.
But Idowant to bother. That’s another side of him I understand. That need to want to help someone who’s crying out for it in their painful silence. Except I won’t kill him, unlike what he does to others.
Once his face is clean and our bodies are fully washed, I cup his face between my hands once again because he likes it, and I give him asweet, gentle kiss. Usually, I enjoy rough and raunchy sex, but I have this need to be delicate with him. He may want the same things I do, and I’ll give him what he desires, but I’ll also give him moments of care and tenderness.
“Iwillfind them and kill them,” he blurts as soon as I pull away.
“Who?”
“Those who hurt your Enrique. They will pay in blood. I swear it.”
Constantine went from adoration to a raging fire in seconds.
I want to tell him no. I want him to stay away from the Da Costas. They’ll eat him alive. Then again, he’s spent five years killing people without the cops even knowing who he is. His only mistake was choosing the wrong person this time. Perhaps he could pull it off.
No. I don’t want him to die.
I pinch his chin firmly, but not to hurt him. “I could chain you up to my bed so you don’t run off and get yourself killed.”
He visibly shudders and shuts his eyes.
“Like that, do we?”
“I would very much like to be tied up, but not for that. You’re mine. I protect what’s mine. They hurt you, so they will pay.”
His obsession with me fuels my soul. I can’t begin to explain how much I’m into it. I know obsession can be dangerous, but I don’t care. I’m dangerous myself. “You don’t kill out of anger, Little Bird.”
“I won’t be killing out of anger. I’ll kill out of love.”
Love? Holy hell, I’m in fucking trouble, but I don’t exactly dissuade him either. “We barely know each other. Are you sure you know what love even is? People don’t fall in love within days.”
He looks me dead in the eye, so full of certainty and confidence. I swear he’s a roller coaster. One minute, he’s meek and submissive,and the next, he’s defiant and seemingly strong. “They do if they’re soulmates.”
Yep, I’m in trouble.
And I don’t give a fuck.
I tug him out of the shower stall, grab a fluffy towel, and dry him off as I air-dry. Once I’m done, I lift him into my arms and carry him into my bedroom.
“Sleep. We’ll talk more about this later.”
His smile was dreamy. Up and down, I tell ya. “Y-you’re letting me stay the night?”
“I am.”
I ease him into the bed before crawling in next to him, lying on my back. Constantine doesn’t just curl into my side, but he rolls on top of me like a fucking blanket. His entire body is sprawled on my chest and stomach, his legs falling next to my thighs.
What the hell?
My arms are at my sides, not sure what to do with this new development. Constantine must truly be touch-starved.
“Thank you, Angel.”
“Angel?”
“Yep, you’re an angel. It’s what I call you in my head. Is that okay?”
I swallow the lump in my throat, feeling oddly emotional over this little killer, much like I had when I first noticed his scars. He’s clearly making me his. If I let this go on any longer, I’ll need to be okay with this obsession of his.
