Page 33 of His to Haunt

I’m not looking forward to confronting Zand, but I should get that key from him. As scary as he can become, I can’t let him dominate my life. I have to be strong for Rachel.

“Can you wait here a minute?” I ask Kimmie, leaving her inside the foyer as I join him on the side patio.

I’m quiet at first, standing a few feet to his left as he watches them leave. The gate shuts, and Zand turns, leaning back on the rail, intense pale eyes upon me.

I try not to react to his commanding, statuesque frame, owning the space around him as he does.

He looks at me, shaking his head. “You’re naive. You think those guys are your friends?”

“No, I do not.”

“You’re a liability,” he mutters with disdain.

I shake my head at him. “What are you talking about?”

“Exactly,” he smirks.

I look away briefly, gathering my thoughts. “Look, Zand. I…get that you have a history here. I’m an outsider. But my sister put me in her will. So here I am, trying to make this work. I hoped to be on good terms with you, but…easier said than done, I guess.”

He holds my gaze, thinking.

“I’ll give you one piece of advice. Don’t trust anyone in this town. Not even me.”

I open my mouth to speak but have no words.

His eyebrows narrow, his grey-green eyes seeming to riddle over my words. He pushes off the railing, getting taller.

“Now. You owe me a sitting, Leena.”

I scrunch my brows. “Excuse me…a what?”

“I must finish this painting. Deadline.”

“Oh, right. But why not use a professional model?”

He shakes his head. “One is sick, one’s out of town, and the other is…a pain in my ass. Probably not going to use her again. She’s always high; can’t sit still. Too many people on drugs these days.”

Kimmie opens the curtain, peeking out.

“I…should go in, Zand. Can you give me the basement key, please?”

“Come to my place. I’ll give it to you after I paint you.”

I drop my head back, frustrated.

“I…can’t leave Kimmie.”

“Bring her with. Be there in ten,” he says, already down the stairs.

I don’t mean to slam the door behind me, but I do.

“What is it?” gasps Kimmie.

“The man is infuriating! He wants to paint me. Says I owe him the favor. Says he won’t give me the basement key otherwise.”

“Okay, calm down. It’s not the worst thing in the world, is it? I mean, I’m just saying it’s kinda cool, right?

“Says the girl who invited a vampire to my house!”

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