Page 33 of Die for You

But there’s no conviction behind the lie. Sometimes, I like my privacy. Especially after having none of it for years. But I’ve felt alone my entire life, and I’ve grown tired of it. I’ve been tired of it for a long, long time.

Finn’s pale blue eyes remain steady on me. I can’t tell whether I feel more like prey being stalked by a predator or a statue being marveled.

Figured you could use a ride.

“So you followed me here?”

He doesn’t bother with a response. Of course he followed me here. They obviously broke into my apartment to plant hidden cameras. They abducted me off the sidewalk. Stalking my movements is the least of their offenses.

“I don’t need a ride. I’m fine.” I paid for a ride-share here. I don’t have the money to keep wasting on rides, but I also refuse to swallow my pride long enough to ask anyone for a favor. To depend on anyone for anything again.

You could use a coffee. He closes the distance between us with an impossible swiftness, his fingers wrapping around my wrist. Not to drag me into his car but to soothe, his thumb rubbing up and down my tendons.

His touch makes sparks of electricity zip up my arm. I’m frozen, aching for his hand to travel, for his fingertips to graze up the rest of my arm, along my neck, to my face.

Until I remember who he is, where we are, and yank out of his grip. “Where are Damien and Knox?”

Class.

“If I tell you to fuck off and I walk away, will you abduct me off the sidewalk like last time?”

He contemplates it with the tiniest smirk curling up one corner of his mouth.Or you can run and I’ll chase you. Whichever you prefer.

My eyes roll up to the sky, and I stifle any hint of excitement about him chasing me. All three Devils chasing me in the darkness until they catch me. Until I let them catch me. “One coffee. And you’re buying.”

A grin blooms across Finn’s lips that makes my breath catch, and this time, I follow him.

At the coffeehouse,Finn catches the attention of a barista and a couple of women rocking strollers. I can’t blame any of themfor staring, and I have no excuse for the hot iron of jealousy searing my gut.

I order for both of us, and Finn pays without a second’s hesitation. How long will the Devils continue to feel indebted to me?

By the time we settle into a small table across from each other, the sweet smell of my mocha warming me, I’ve already calmed down from my panic at the courthouse. Something about Finn’s steady silence soothes me, even if it shouldn’t.

“Are you going to help me brush up on sign language now?” I blurt, palms curled around my mug. I itch for something to do with my hands to get rid of this restless energy.

He brightens, and my heart melts a little at how excited he is to share his favorite language with me.

“Teach me all the best swear words.”

I spend the next ten minutes giggling and nearly spitting out my coffee as Finn teaches me how to cuss people out. The most important words to learn in any language.

“How do I tell someone to suck my dick?”

A smile flickers at his lips.Let’s work on the signs you’re actually going to use. LikeFinn is so sexyandpull my hairandfuck me harder.

I glare at him, even as my thighs clench. “What’s the sign forpervert?”

He gives a soft chuckle before his smile slips away, and he leans closer.What were you doing at the courthouse?

I stiffen. I knew he’d ask at some point, but I want to keep pretending like nothing is going on. Like I’m on a normal coffee date with a gorgeous guy and I’m a college student with a bright future who had a great, stress-free childhood and I don’t have any problems or baggage. I wish we could keep pretending a little longer.

“I got a temporary restraining order against Jeremiah.” I twist the mug in my hands. “I have to face him in a hearing in a few weeks to get the final order. Assuming they can serve him.”

Without a second of hesitation, Finn signs,We’ll go with you. You don’t have to face him alone.

I don’t even have to tell Finn my fears. He can read them on my face. I shift in my seat. He can read me so easily already—it’s unsettling.

Even though part of me desperately wants to take him up on the offer, I keep my mouth shut.