Page 44 of Moments of Malevolence

“Talk to Pops,” Kenzo says, stripping off his shirt and jumping into the pool. Kenzo would jump into the pool even if it was frigid weather. It’s chilly, but it’s not too cold for a swim.

“He only listens to you.”

“Yeah, yeah…” I wave them off and head to my bathroom. I pull my phone out of my pocket and I press call. It rings and rings, but she doesn’t answer.

Seems I like two women.

One I fuck in real life.

The other I fuck over the phone.

When she doesn’t pick up, I send her a message. It says it was delivered, so I can see she isn’t ignoring me, not like she did when I sent her a picture of my hand. I was hoping she would give me something in return. Even a tiny piece of herself would be enoughfor now.

I want to know what she looks like.

I want to know who it is I’ve been talking to these last few months.

I had my brothers search for her number, but it’s a burner phone, so no luck in that department. They said they might be able to track its location but not precisely, just when it pings on the towers. I’ve always said no, but I think it’s time I started saying yes.

Iwillfind her.

And Iwillmeet her.

One thing I haven’t shared with her is that when I hunt, I always catch my prey.

EIGHTEEN

Alaska

The other nightI had the best night’s sleep imaginable using Zuko as my pillow.

He’s tried calling me, but notme. He’s been calling Sage—the otherme. He doesn’t have my private number, and I’m not sure I want to tell him that we are the same person.

I like him not knowing.

I like that I have that part of him that he doesn’t realize he is giving away.

Not that he gives away too much, but still, having that small part is pretty awesome.

Upon walking out of my apartment, I lock the door behind me. I’m going to the corner store, where I plan to buy chocolate ice cream—a lot of it—and then return home to sit on the couch and watch horror movies and enjoy my night off.

“Alaska.” I stop dead in my tracks, keys in hand, asthatvoicecomes from beside me. “Do you plan to face me?”

“How did you find where I live?” I ask, turning to him. I hate that his features are highlighted under the moonlight and that he is so incredibly fucking sexy.

“I hunt, Alaska.”

“Are you hunting me?”

“No, but I’m good at finding people.”

“Okay then…” I trail off, dangling my keys in my hand, not really having any idea what to say to that.

“It’s my brothers’ birthday,” he tells me. “They have a party happening right now. Would you care to attend?”

My mouth thins as I stare at him with my brows pulled together in confusion. It’s a little last minute wouldn’t you say? Your other date fall through?”

“Come to the party, Alaska.”

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