“No,” Callan says. “Invested in the three of you. In your relationship.”
“He’s the contract killer we hired to—Ow, what the fuck?!” Lachlan hisses when Callan kicks him under the island.
The blood drains from my face. They hired a contract killer? For who?—
Fuck.
Oh, fuck.
Steve and Tony…
“You’ve scared her, fuckhead.” Callan sighs. “Look, you’re safe. He’s just intrigued by your polycule.”
Uh.
Creed tries to break my growing tension when he throws his arm around my shoulders. “I prefer the term throuple.”
“Not helpful,” Riley says with a sigh.
“I’m sure you do,” Camdan drawls sarcastically. Creed opens his mouth to bark at the bulging man, but Callan slaps his palm against the countertop, clearly ready to get this conversation back on track and over with.
“So long as you’re not‘scum of the earth’as he calls it, you’re safe. Not only from him, but you will always have our protection. It may be worth letting theCupid Killerclaim Guy as a victim, as Guy’s actions and personality very well track with who his targets are.”
If I was pale before, I’m a fucking ghost now. I had to have heard him wrong.
“I’m sorry, the Cupid-what-now?” Creed coughs, choking on air while mine and Riley’s breaths kick up at a nervous, rapid pace.
I’ve heard about the elusive Cupid Killer on the news and in various podcasts. Nobody knows who he is, except for the fact that he targets the worst of the worst kinds of humans out there.Apparently, he’s also taken a liking to my relationship, and it sets my very frayed nerves on edge. I don’t like the idea of a serial killer having any interest in or curiosity about me or my love life.
“He’s…unhinged. Batshit, really. But he’s harmless when it comes to people like you.Youare the kind of people he’s tryingto protect, though he’ll deny it if you ever try to say that to him.” Camdan smirks, but then he schools his expression again. I have no intention of ever finding out who he is,orgetting close enough even to deign to ask. “I think he’s your best bet at keeping any attention from falling onto yourselves or us once your story gets out. People these days don’t know how to leave well enough alone and will dig. Letting him silently take the credit would be mutually beneficial.”
“And you’re certain he would agree?” Creed asks, thankfully. My mind is reeling, and I’m unfortunately still hung up on the fact that he’s apparently fascinated by us.
“I am.” Camdan leans back against the barstool chair and crosses his arms over his chest with a confident smirk. “Because he already has.”
The world blurs and sounds become distorted, as if I’m underwater. It’s dark, and an odd, comforting weight blankets me. Rather than feeling panicked, I feel safe. I’m not sure how long my mind floats around in the dark void of my mind, but a nip to my ear and two hands gently squeezing my thighs slowly pull me back into the present.
My face flushes with embarrassment at how quickly and easily I slipped away in the presence of these strangers, but none of them seems to be paying me any mind, except Camdan. He watches me with the kind of knowing that comes from experience. He quirks a brow in question almost imperceptibly as Ayla is ushered back into the kitchen with her phone and notebook in hand.
You good?He seems to ask with the small gesture.
I am.I answer with a single nod and a smile.
He nods to himself before locking his sights on Millie, who waits patiently with her sister and friend in the doorway to the kitchen.
“So,” Lachlan drawls, shifting my attention. “His death will come first, then you’re up with your story.”
He gestures for Ayla to sit next to Asher, and they begin.
By the time an hour has passed, the story is ironclad.
We spend the evening having dinner with the McTavish family, and I get to know the girls a little better. Turns out their stories aren’t too different than my own. Suddenly, it makes sense as to why their men were so ready and eager to help Asher. They consider him family, yes, but it goes so much deeper than that. Millie’s proverbial wounds haven’t even fully healed, so mine and Riley’s disappearance was like salt in a deep gash.
But they all live their lives the way they see fit. Doing what they love despite who their husbands and fiancées are, and despite their scars. They love and live without fear of what almost was. They embrace thenow, every step of the way.
That’s what I want.
It’s all I crave.
