Page 99 of Haunt the Mall
“You’re a good brother,” I whispered, running my fingers down his chest.
“I’m not entirely altruistic,” he rumbled, stepping closer until our bodies were flush. “Although it would’ve been a triumph in her career as Zero, I hoped her creation would breathe some life into the theater—life I didn’t feel until you walked in.”
My body thrummed with wonder. No wonder he’d been so closed off. I wrapped my arms around his neck. “Are you okay? This stuff with Sam has to bring up bad memories.”
He looked down, his bangs falling over his face. “I don’t want to lose you.”
I grounded my hands in the scruff of his hair. “Sam’s not going to chase me off or get to me. I’m strong. And we’ll be a team.”
He shook his head. “I failed to protect my sister, and I know I may not communicate as easily as people in the movies, but I’ll keep trying. I’ll do anything. I…I…” His eyes flashed and his keys bit into my back. “Will you move in with me?”
The door creaked open with a cool breeze, and every hair on my body prickled with possibility.
41
Scared Off
Move in. With Victor. His silky voice and firm grip almost convinced me. My knees wobbled, especially at the sight of a beautiful, sparse interior. But this wasn’t my home. It was my first time here.
I stuttered over a laugh. “We’ve been dating for two weeks, and now you want me and Jinx to move in with you?”
“Yes. At least until we settle this situation with Sam. You need somewhere safe,” he insisted. “Then, after that…”
I tugged him through the door. “Did you even ask your sister?”
“No. It was spontaneous.” He shut the door and pressed me against it. “Perhaps love has made me irrational.”
“Victor.” I pushed his chest and smiled. “Do you only confess your feelings in crisis situations?”
“Move in, and I’ll swear it every day. Crisis or no crisis,” he said.
Fuck, that was tempting.
I twisted my fingers around his silver chain. “We have expedited other areas of our relationship, and you do show me you care…”
“I’ll show you anything you want.” He leaned closer and glanced at my lips. “Just say the word.”
At last, he’d shown me more of his heart and his mind. Now, I had a taste for all of him.
Delight beat in my veins like a war drum on the verge of celebration. I tilted my face and closed my eyes, arching upward to meet his lips.
The intercom sparked alive with Zero’s voice. “Ahem. Just a reminder, we do have cameras in the common areas.”
“Oh my god.” I laughed and covered my mouth.
Victor twisted around to give the black orb in the corner of their high ceiling a sour look. “Thanks, sis.”
“You’re welcome. I’m still digging up info on this Sam kid,” she said.
I tugged my outfit into place. “Great. Any help is appreciated.”
My phone rattled off its ringtone. Cursing, I silenced it and checked the screen. Sam’s number flared up, and I had to stop myself from flinging the phone across the room. “Oh my god, he’s calling.” What kind of teen called instead of texted?
Victor stepped closer, the light from the call glaring off his dark eyes. He looked like he wanted to reach into the phone and dismantle the boy on the other end piece by piece.
If I was plunging into darkness, I wouldn’t be alone there. The monster in my chest screamed, turning the liquid fear in my veins to ruthless depravity.
I wasn’t going to hide from one bad teen. Hopefully, I didn’t have to go to the police. I was going to make Sam run from me.