Page 43 of Dark Torment

“He’s technically her boss.” He looks uncomfortable, and I frown.

“The new night job she has?” It’s the only other job I know she has, but she wouldn’t tell me what she was doing.

“Yeah. You know about that?” he asks softly. He’s giving me a look that has me wondering exactly what her new job is.

“Uh, I know she has a new job at night, but I don’t know what it is. Why do you look like you’re about to kick my puppy?”

Sadie’s head jolts up from my lap to look at me, and I giggle.

“Sorry, baby.” I pat her head, and she lays back down with a huff.

“My best friend owns a club on the outskirts of Chicago,” he tells me warily, and I frown.

“A club? Why is that bad?” I ask, and he sighs.

“Because it’s a strip club. A fancy one, but at the end of the day, it’s still a strip club,” he says like he’s scared I’m going to lose my ish.

In reality, I burst into giggles that shake Sadie until she jumps down from the couch and curls on the floor at my feet.

Of course, Shelby would take a job as a stripper. She’s definitely gorgeous enough.

“I don’t understand what’s happening. Are you having a psychotic break?” he asks, making me laugh harder.

“Oh, God.” I laugh some more, trying to catch my breath. “You looked like you were giving me the worst news on the planet by telling me that,” I try to explain, but he’s still watching me with concern.

“You don’t care that she’s working as a stripper,” he surmises, and I shake my head.

“Shelbs is an adrenaline junkie. She loves the thrill of being watched, and she’s gorgeous.” I shrug, using my free hand to wipe away the tears of laughter. “It doesn’t surprise me. She’s decided to do this because it’s what she needs,” I explain.

It hurts a little that she hasn’t told me, though. She should know I would never judge her… but she has to tell me on her own time.

“Is your friend one that can be trusted?” I question when I remember why we’re on this topic to begin with.

“Aside from you, he’s the only other person I trust on the planet,” Jonathan says confidently, and it eases my panic.

“You said she won’t be okay for long. Why?”

“Because she’s not listening to anything Devlin has to say. She’s been trying to get in touch with you for hours.”

My heart starts to race as I think about the trouble she could stir with this. If she’s causing a fuss, what if these people go after her?

“She’s not going to my house, is she? If someone came last night, that means my place isn’t safe,” I cry, panicked.

“She’s trying to. Devlin is doing his best to keep her away, but we don’t know what to say in order to keep her from going to the house. I’m hoping you’ll be able to think of something.” He looks at me with hope, and I think.

What can I say to have her back off? I need her to stay safe without lying to her completely. “Where is my phone?” I ask, and he reaches into his pocket, pulling it out and handing it to me.

“It’s a clone of yours, but no one will be able to trace your location. I need to make sure you’re safe,” he tells me, and a part of me feels giddy at the lengths he’s gone to in order to keep me safe.

The other half, the more logical part, worries that he’s doing it so no one can ever find my body before he kills me to get the payout of that contract.

“Don’t go there, sunflower,” he growls at me, and I jump.

“Wh—where?” I ask, like a moron. I know he probably saw the fear on my face. I am a stupidly open book when it comes to showing how I feel.

“I will not hurt you. Please stop thinking about that. It’s killing Daddy to see your tears and fear,” he begs, and I blink, frozen in shock.

Uh… Daddy? Did he just? I think he did. Is that a kinky thing for him? Like in some of the books I’ve read? Because I’m super curious now.

“You just, uh… um, did you mean to say that?” I squeak, and he tilts his head as if he’s assessing me, before his eyes widen.

“Shit,” he breathes out, before blushing a little. It’s super cute, actually. “Liv,” he whispers. “I, uh—shit. I didn’t say it to make you uncomfortable.” He takes a deep breath, staring at me.

I smile as I take in the sight of him. He looks really worried, and it feels almost normal.

For a serial killer, he’s pretty sweet.

Dear God, Liv. You sound dumb.

“You’re an odd serial killer.”

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