Vicious Little Darling (Love So Cruel #3)

26. Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Six

EMBER

“ T hat was intense,” I mutter as we exit the restaurant. My phone is vibrating like crazy in my purse. “I had no idea what I was getting myself into.”

“You don’t have to take him seriously,” Xander huffs as we head the two blocks to his high rise apartment.

“He seems very serious,” I say, choosing to ignore my phone until we make it back to the penthouse. “I still don’t understand what you’re going to be doing for him.”

“He’s never going to outright say hitman, but that’s basically what he’s trying to pull on me.” Xander sounds frustrated, and I can’t quite put my finger on why—other than he doesn’t want to whack people like the mafia.

I can’t blame him for that, and I don’t bother hiding my reaction to it.

“That’s… very illegal.”

“It is,” Xander glances down at me as we step inside of the building. “But what do you think about me being involved in something like that? I mean, honestly. Would you turn me away if I was a part of the family business? I know I said I don’t want anything to do with it, but for us… It might make sense.”

I raise my brows. “Um…”

“You can think on it.” He presses the call button for the elevator, and we fall into silence. “It’s a lot. All of this is a lot for you, I’m sure.”

“Yeah,” I say stupidly, stepping into the elevator beside him. His eyes stay focused on the wall of buttons, and I take in the worry in his face. He’s torn about something, and while it’s a lot…

For some reason, my answer doesn’t take any thought.

“I don’t care.”

“What?” He turns to me as the elevator dings and the doors open.

“I don’t care,” I repeat as we step out into the hallway. “I don’t care if you’re a hitman or whatever. This is the safest I’ve ever felt, and no, it’s not about the money. I don’t care about the money. It’s just you. I like you.”

He nods, a slight smile pulling at his lips. “I like you, too, and if that’s the case, then I’ll probably take the job. My inheritance won’t last forever, but…” His voice trails off as he punches in the code and pushes the door in. “…I want us to.”

My heart jumps to my throat. “You got serious really fast.”

“Isn’t there a saying for that?” he jokes, shutting the door behind us.

“ When you know, you know, ” I finish, smiling. Before I can say anything else, his phone rings. He pulls it out and shows me the screen. It’s his uncle.

“I’ll be back.” He answers the call and slips out onto the balcony. I take the opportunity to pull my own phone out of my pocket and I see a text from Megan.

Megan: Josh was found dead.

A lump forms in my throat, and I hit the call button beside her name, taking off up the stairs so I can speak in privacy.

“It’s crazy,” Megan says into the phone as soon she answers. “Although that prick had it coming. They say he got a couple of shots right into the crotch. Found him on display outside of a gay bar.”

Xander did it. The thought shocks me, but something in my gut believes it. After all, we just had a conversation about him being a fucking hitman. Wouldn’t it make sense? Should I call the police? I wait for my body to start to shake with grief.

But there’s nothing. Nothing but relief—relief that Josh is gone from my life, and I don’t have to worry about him anymore. I squeeze my eyes shut, and breathe out a sigh.

“I guess he did have it coming.”

“That’s what I’m saying,” Megan exclaims. “I’m so glad you get that. I was so worried it would upset you and send you spiraling.”

I shake my head. “I might be really fucked up, but I don’t… I don’t care.” The realization that I might be a little darker than I ever thought slips into my mind. I fucked the psycho that tried to kill me—and it still turns me on to think about it. Also, Xander being a hitman? My thighs clench.

That’s hot, too.

A stilted laugh slips from my lips. “I’m actually relieved,” I admit. “That sounds so bad.”

“No, it doesn’t sound bad at all,” Megan reassures me. I stop outside of one of the doors. I haven’t ever been to the second floor, so I turn the knob and peer inside. It’s clearly Xander’s bedroom.

I go to open the door the rest of the way, but it comes to a hard stop, as if something is blocking it. I frown, and then look around the door. Shock rolls through my body.

Holy fucking shit.

“I have to go. I’ll call you later.” I hang up, nearly dropping the phone as I stare at the skull-faced mask laying on top of a pile of familiar black hoodies.

‘The irony’ is what Xander’s uncle had remarked, when he mentioned keeping me safe as his priority. It confused me at the time, but now I understand. I really fucking understand.

And to make it all the more confusing, my pussy aches with arousal.

“Ember?” Xander’s voice echoes through the penthouse, causing my heart to pick up its pace.

Is he planning to kill me?

No, he would’ve done that already.

But didn’t he try?

I back out of the room and turn to leave, but freeze as Xander appears at the end of the hallway, blocking the exit.

“Hey,” I croak out but, his expression remains unmoving. As I take in his shape, it all comes together, the way he’s built, the familiar scent of him.

The soreness.

My heart pounds. My thighs clench. I don’t know whether to be terrified or fucking jump his goddamn bones.

“Whatcha doin’ up here?” His voice stays cold and flat as he slides his phone back into his pocket, his eyes studying my every move.

“I just found out Josh was murdered,” I say carefully.

“Oh,” he replies, the air between us full of fucking uncertainty as I try to process everything I know now—and the way it’s making me fucking feel.

“Did you kill him?” I ask, my voice confident.

He nods, and then shrugs. “Yep. He tried to touch what’s mine.”

I take a deep breath, and then bite down on my lip. “Take off your shirt.”

Xander’s eyes darken. “Why?”

I mimic his nonchalance. “So I know it’s true.”

With a smirk and a shake of his head, he peels the black T-shirt over his head and tosses it to the floor. “Is this what you were looking for?” He twists his body, just enough for me to see the scar that’s still healing on his side.

My breath catches, but I can’t hold back.

“Why?”

“Why what?” he asks carefully, still giving me space.

“Why’d you try to kill me?”

He goes silent for a few moments, his eyes on the mark on his side. Then, he looks up at me. “Because it used to be the only thing that could get me off, the only thing that made me feel anything. But then I met you, and you complicated things for me.”

“But you still tried to kill me, Xander,” I say, my voice growing sharp.

“Yeah, because I thought things would get more complicated if I let you know the real me. I thought that was the answer, but you proved otherwise to me. And here we are.”

“Here we are,” I echo him. “Now what?”

“Now, I love you,” he rasps. “And I don’t have to fucking hide this gash or this monstrous cock anymore, Little Flame.”

My pussy gushes for him. “How do you know you won’t still want to kill me?”

He laughs. “Because I’d kill myself before I ever killed you, Ember. I’ll never hurt you again—unless it’s that soreness you’re feeling now.”

My head spins.

Why do I actually believe him?

I step back and then go into his room to peer down at the pile of shit that’s there.

I know he’s a serial killer.

He’s killed other women.

“I’ve found a better way to feed my urges.” His voice is closer now, right behind me. “I need you. I’ve been fucking dying for you. I’ll work as a hitman for my uncle, and then I’ll fuck you every night when I get home. I never knew what I was missing out on.”

I glance over my shoulder as his frame fills the doorway, and then I grab the mask up and look at it closely. Excitement thrums through my body, and I turn to toss it to him.

He catches it, raising his brows. “I was going to throw it away.”

I shake my head. “No, you’re going to put it on.”

“I am?” He tilts his head at me, but I can already see the desire forming behind his perfectly handsome face.

“Yeah, and then you’re going fuck me like the skull-faced psycho that you are.”

“Jesus, Ember,” he growls, pulling the mask over his face. “You’re exactly what I dreamed of.”

My heart thumps unevenly in my chest. “But you’ll have to catch me first.” I shoot him a grin, and then dive past him and out the door of the bedroom. He bursts into a cackle of evil laughter, the distortion in his voice proving he is exactly who I think he is.

I race down the stairs, but stumble as I make it to the living room. It’s truly useless. Xander is faster than me and, before I even make it to the couch, his arm is threaded around my waist.

He reaches around me with precision and unsnaps my jeans.

“You’ll never get away from me, Little Flame.”

He rips my jeans and underwear down my hips, and the cool air on my wet pussy makes me gasp for air. “Oh fuck, you’re so into this.”

“ Yes, ” I moan as he presses two fingers deep inside of me. He finger fucks me hard, slapping his hand against me. Then, he pulls his hand away and flips me around, tearing my shirt up over my head. I unhook my bra as he peels off his own clothes, and then he’s standing before me completely naked.

“You’re a fucking dream,” he growls down at me, forcefully spreading my legs, and pushing me back on the couch. Xander climbs in between them and presses the head of his thick cock inside of me. “You’re always going to be full of me, Little Flame.”

“You’ll have to marry me,” I throw out as he fills me entirely. “My parents are old-fashioned—and I know all of your secrets now.”

He reaches up and tears the mask off his face, his eyes boring into mine. “It’s so fucking hot when you blackmail me. Keep talking like that.”

I arch back as he thrusts into me. “Good, because if you try to leave me, I’ll do more damage than before.”

“Oh fuck,” he groans, pounding into me and sending me straight into a powerful orgasm.

“You’re such a bad girl, aren’t you? You like it like this? All fucked up.”

“I just love you,” I breathe out, meeting his gaze. “All fucked up or not.”

Xander’s expression softens as his body stills. “Yeah? You do?”

I nod. “I do. I truly do.”