Page 34 of Darkness Tempt Me (Bloody Desires #7)

Chapter thirty

Peyton

T he rest of our honeymoon is a blur of sex and confessions.

Originally, we booked a stunning suite in some fancy hotel off the coast of Santa Cruz, but considering what I discovered, I think Mavik was too afraid to rock the boat.

Instead, we spent all our time either in bed or just enjoying each other’s company over home-cooked meals.

When Mavik confessed that he has this need to care for the ones he loves, I couldn’t believe to what extent. He loves to cook and has a real kink for aftercare. If one ignored the whole serial killer thing, the man would be perfect.

It’s Monday morning, and we’re stopping by the café before work. It’s one of the things I missed while away on our staycation. The bell chimes as we walk through the door. My eyes immediately scan the area for Billy, but I don’t see him anywhere. Mavik squeezes my hand. “What’s wrong?”

Damn, he’s so observant. I smile over at him, squeezing his hand back.

Everything between us isn’t perfect, and he knows it.

We have a lot to discuss regarding our future, but for now, I want him to know I’m not going anywhere.

I still don’t know how I feel about him being a killer, especially because I can tell he likes it.

He’s not just some vigilante trying to remove the evils from this world.

I think there’s this dark side of him that likes to kill.

And I can’t deny that I’m glad someone like him might protect the young, innocent Peytons of the world.

I had no one back then. I was so scared, but just knowing that Jimmy was no longer in the picture would have helped me so much.

Mavik, and I guess Hunter, can do that for people.

“Billy isn’t here,” I reply. “I was looking forward to one of his white mochas.”

Mavik’s phone rings. He pulls it out of his pocket. “It’s Hunter. Do you mind if I answer this outside where I can hear him?”

I nod. “Sure, I’ll order us our drinks.”

He swipes Answer on the phone screen, but other than that, he doesn’t move. “Go,” I laugh. “I’m not some captive about to make a run for it. I promise I’ll be here waiting for you.”

A cute little blush spreads across Mavik’s cheeks.

God, that’s totally what he was thinking.

I cock a hip and shoo him away with my hands.

Finally, he laughs back and walks out of the café.

I shuffle forward in line, and a few moments later, I feel that stupid, creepy feeling of being watched. I actually forgot what it felt like.

A shiver runs down my spine, but then I remember Drake is dead.

Mavik confessed that he went after Drake and killed him the night he’d found Drake hurting someone who looked a lot like me.

The story creeped me the fuck out, but I’m glad he told me, and that he saved the blond man Drake had beaten unconscious.

By the time I pay, the feeling that I’m being watched doesn’t go away.

Goosebumps spread down my arms, and the hairs on the back of my neck rise.

I glance around and shake my head when I spot Mavik staring at me through the café window.

His dark eyes bore into me, and I have to stifle another shiver.

Maybe it’s been him all along? He did admit to stalking me, but he also said that he never really toyed with me or exposed himself.

With the exception of the night I touched myself in front of my balcony door, I never suspected anything from him.

And I’m not counting those heated stares he’d give me at work. Fuck.

Why am I getting turned on?

Is it me, or is it getting hot in here? Ignoring the creepy sensation, I face forward, tugging off my jacket while I wait.

“Fuck. Look at all this creamy white skin,” Mavik rumbles into my ear, causing me to shudder as I lean back against him. “I can’t wait to mark you up and get my handprints on you.”

“Mavik,” I whisper.

“Tell me what else is wrong. I could see how nervous you were through the window.”

I sigh. “It’s that dumb, creepy feeling I get when it feels like someone is watching me.”

Mavik’s gaze snaps to the right before he takes in the whole room. “I don’t want you to live in fear, Pey, but I also don’t want you to ignore your intuition. You’re smart; trust your survival instincts.”

I nod. He’s right. Especially with everything I’ve faced, it’s better to be safe.

“You’re mine, little light. I’ll kill anyone who tries to take you from me.”

I chuckle, glancing around nervously and hoping no one heard. “You can’t just go around killing people for me.”

“Why not? I’ve killed for you before, and I told you I’d do it again.”

Yeah, I’m totally into this whole protective caveman attitude, especially knowing he really can keep me safe.

“Come on, little light. Daniel Sinclair’s assistant called right after I hung up with Hunter. Daniel said he can meet with me today. Hunter is on his way. He’s going to help.”

My eyes widen with shock. He explained to me what Daniel and Mavik’s father had done to Sophia. Daniel is the last man on Mavik’s revenge list, or whatever it’s called. This is a big deal.

I grip his hand. “Screw the coffee, we have to get ready.”

“Slow down, killer,” he laughs. “There’s always time for caffeine.”

Daniel Sinclair’s narrowed eyes follow my every move.

If I ever thought Drake gave me the ick, this old guy is worse.

Unlike his pathetic son, Daniel is smart, according to Mavik.

I can practically see the way he’s calculating every little thing I do.

A part of me almost wonders if somehow he knows that Mavik killed his son.

He’s been avoiding this meeting for the better part of a year, and I find the man suddenly showing up here really suspicious.

I give Daniel a curt nod. His smarmy smile slips.

“My lawyer, Hunter Rose, is on his way, Mr. Sinclair. Please enjoy some coffee or orange juice while we wait.”

"Ah, yes. Mr. Rose. I do business with him from time to time." Daniel studies Mavik for a moment. “So, you were serious about the proposal?”

“I am. I gave Drake all the information, and he said he would email it to you a few weeks ago. By the way, I’m so sorry to hear about your son. Have the police discovered anything yet?”

Daniel places his cell phone on the table. I make eye contact with Mavik. He gives me a barely there nod, the sign to proceed. I send a text to Hunter.

Peyton: Need you.

Not even fifteen seconds later, Hunter strolls through the side door.

“Ah, Mr. Sinclair, Mr. Blackwood, you’re finally in one room together.

I have the contract you wanted, sir. Would you like me to go over it?

By the way, Mr. Blackwood, congratulations on your deal with the Monroes,” Hunter says casually.

Surprise flickers across Daniel’s face. The Monroes are a wealthy family that Daniel has been trying—and failing—to secure a contract with.

What Daniel doesn’t know is that the Monroes have been silent supporters of Blackwood Investments for years.

Mavik helped them out when the Monroes had an insider steal millions from them about a decade ago.

Not that anyone aside from Mavik, Hunter, and I know that.

When Mavik pulls out the contract, I quietly slip over to Daniel’s phone and grab it before silently slipping out of the room. A moment later, Hunter walks out of the room under the guise that he forgot something, and that Mavik and Daniel should look over the contract together while they wait.

“Do you have it?”

“I wasn’t supposed to leave the room unless I had it,” I say as I wave the phone in front of him.

Hunter chuckles. “You know, you surprise me, little assistant.”

Hunter leads me into another conference room and locks the door behind us.

“How long will this take?” I ask, pointing at Hunter’s laptop. “Not long. Cloning a phone with this tech is actually really easy.”

He doesn’t even have to plug the phone into anything; he just sets it down on some strange-looking pad that looks more like a charging dock.

“Mavik is a good guy, you know,” Hunter says suddenly.

“I know that.”

“If you can look past the darkness inside of him—well, inside of us—then I know you two can have a happy life together.”

My gaze bounces over to his.

“Did Mavik ever tell you how he saved me?”

I shake my head. “No. I just know you two are close. Like brothers.”

He smiles. “We grew up together. My father worked for Mavik’s family.

We were ‘ the help ’ while the Blackwoods were wealthy.

Mavik never cared that I didn’t come from money.

He treated me better than anyone ever had before.

He treated me like family, but his father hated me.

Finn Blackwood was not a good man. While Finn passed his wife around to be used, he passed me around to be a punching bag.

One night, I fought back, but Finn was stronger, quicker, smarter.

Mavik walked in on his father trying to beat me to death. ”

I swallow hard, not realizing exactly how important Hunter and Mavik are to each other. I reach over and squeeze Hunter’s hand. “I’m glad Mavik saved you. And I’m glad he killed his father.”

Something flashes in Hunter’s eyes, and his gaze bores into mine. “I’m glad Mavik married you, Peyton.” Hunter reaches for Daniel’s phone. “All done.”

Suddenly, my phone dings. I have four missed calls from Tyler. What the hell? Why didn’t my phone ring? I check my text, and my blood runs cold.

Tyler: I sent you Connor’s address, but I haven’t heard back from you.

Tyler: Heading there now. Meet me there? I don’t want to be there alone for long.

“Fuck. Tell Mavik I have to meet my brother at Connor’s house. I don’t want him packing his things by himself.”

“Sure thing. And Peyton?” Hunter waves Daniel’s phone. “Thanks for helping. You have no idea how much this means to Mavik.”

I offer him a smile before rushing out of the room.