Perfect Villain (Dark Lies Duet 1)

“If we have to run, we will do so together. But right now, I think you need to contact the police. Only then will we decide. You’re the most important thing to me, Siân. And while I appreciate where you were going with that little speech, it’ll never happen.”

I sigh, wanting to concede, but I know I don’t have a choice.

“Okay,” I say in defeat.

“This is what we are going to do. Call the police, make a report, and allow them to investigate. If we need to run, we will. You’ve been through a lot, Siân, but that doesn’t mean he’s found us. If he had, we would have known a long time ago.”

“Maybe you’re right. Maybe it’s nothing. But I would much rather leave you out of it.”

“I’m not saying if things become dangerous, we won’t disappear, but I think we might be running before we’re walking. You need to call the police and have them come to the house. They can check for fingerprints and see if anyone has broken into the house.”

“Yes! As soon as I get home, I will call them.” I jump from the sofa, ready to put this new idea into action. “I’m going to go now, and I’ll call Taj on my way and have him meet me there.”

“Good, and call me if there are any new developments.”

I nod and wrap her up in a tight hug. She is getting older, and the thought of anything happening to her hurts my heart. In my eyes, she is my mother, and I will go to the ends of the earth to protect her, just as she has done for me.

“I’ll let you know when I get home,” I say, releasing her.

We stare at each other for a long moment, and then she’s walking me to the door. She stands on the front steps, watching me until I reach the car. It s getting dark now, and I’m terrified of being alone, knowing this madman is after me once again. But I pick up the phone anyway and call Taj. The line rings and rings with no answer. I call four more times before I give up, my anger and pain directed at someone else entirely.

Why is it when I need him he is never there for me? I shouldn’t be surprised. Even in this instance, Taj isn’t the man I should turn to.

11

CHRISTIAN

“Will it be just the two of you?” Jennifer, the leasing manager, asks as she escorts us through the penthouse loft.

“Who?” Tony blurts out and points his thumb between himself and me. “Me and this asshat?”

I scoff and glance back down at the phone in my hand. “No,” I deadpan. “Just me.”

From my peripheral, I notice Jennifer nod and continue walking us through the features of the living room. My subconscious is elsewhere, though. I open my messenger app. It’s been hours since my last message to Siân, and she’s yet to respond. After watching her bring herself to orgasm the other night, it’s all I can think about. Her beautiful face and sweet cries continue to play on repeat in my mind. My dick is throbbing right now just picturing it.

“Perché siamo anche qui?” Why are we even here? Tony rushes over to me and whispers.

Still staring at my phone, my brows knit tight, and I release a breath, then let my shoulders fall as I switch to the cloning program. A bright light beams when the colorful app stirs to life, and her text thread loads on the screen. I swipe up, my attention being pulled away from Tony’s persistence.

“Christian,” he grits out and steps back a little when I drag my eyes to his face. “What the fuck is going on with you?”

“Nothing,” I snip.

“Something’s going on, and your father isn’t going to like it. “

“Does it look like I give a shit about my father?” I bark.

My voice travels through the apartment, startling Jennifer, who gasps in the distance. I roll my shoulders back and peer over his head at Jennifer.

“All I’m saying is you’re distracted,” he groans through his teeth. “Taking out Armon when we still needed him. Got us looking at fucking lofts when we have a meeting in three hours. What the hell is up?”

“Is everything okay, boys?” Jennifer coos, but there’s a slight tremor in her tone. I don’t blame her at all for being cautious. She is a woman alone in a room with two suspicious men she doesn’t know.

“I think you’re forgetting who’s in charge here.” I stuff my phone into my back pocket, adjust my pants on my hips, and turn my gaze to him. “If my father has a problem, I’ll handle it. Now, if it isn’t clear to you, I’ll be sticking around for a little while.”

“This is about that Giuliani girl, isn’t it?”