Page 97 of Vicious Intentions

“I’m not so little any longer.”

He chuckled. “You’re exactly as you should be. Perfect.”

“I’m far from it.”

“And I’m a cold-blooded killer.”

“With a heart.”

His sigh was heavy, as if he also felt the weight of the world much like I did.

I couldn’t just blurt it out. He needed to read what my father had written. If he could believe him.

“I’m not a good man, Sage. Neither are Hunter and Cristiano. When this is finished, you’re free to return to your life.”

For the first time, I heard what sounded like remorse. “No one will ever be able to take the music away from me, but I want more. I want all three of you. I know it’s crazy. I know people will think badly of us, but I don’t care.”

He fisted my hair, yanking my head back until I was forced to rest it on his shoulder. “Don’t worry about what other people think. Just worry about what you need.”

“Then that’s easy. All three of you.”

“You’re certain?” There was a strange sound to his voice, hopeful.

“Very much so.”

“Mmm…” he growled. “Then if that’s what you want, you do realize there will be rules to follow.”

He wasn’t asking a question, merely making a statement of what would be. He spun me around and pulled me even closer, narrowing his eyes.

A tiny thrill coursed through me. “Rules. Huh? What happens if I don’t follow them?”

“Then you’ll be punished.” He cracked his hand against my backside and I yelped, which allowed the first real smile to cross his face since I’d returned.

“I’m a good girl.”

“That remains to be seen.”

There was such heartache in his tone, his voice barely recognizable. I ached inside, wanting to be his everything, but the demons were eating him alive.

“It’s so beautiful here. I love it.”

He squeezed my waist, pulling me closer. “It’s peaceful. Sometimes I come here by myself.”

“Without your soldiers?” I teased.

“It’s the only place I can reflect and be myself.”

“That’s so sad, Cain.”

“That’s what life has been. Without you.”

“If you’re trying to win points, it’s working.”

His chuckle was deep, but I sensed he had a great deal on his mind. No matter the lists or the searches into the lives of those Cain and the others had known before, I sensed he didn’t feel as if they were any closer to discovering the person responsible.

“I’m sorry about your parents, Sage.”

“Don’t be sorry. At least I know the truth. It’s hard to think of my father as a hitman, but at least now all the pieces are starting to fit. Are you still close to your parents?”

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