Page 76 of Killer Confections

“A! Warning!” She fusses between hits and I only chuckle before grabbing her wrist and pressing my clothed lips to hers.

Her anger quickly melts until she turns into my arms and wraps hers around my neck. The mask prevents things from going any deeper, but this moment is so sweet and precious. I don’t even care if I can’t taste her on my tongue. It’s just us and I’ve had dreams of this moment for years.

She rests her forehead against mine, giving me a radiant smile. “I made bacon and biscuits.”

“That sounds great, baby. I’m starving.”

She winks before taking the biscuits out of the oven and pulling two plates down from a cabinet. We both load our plates up and I’m cramming a mountain of greasy pig fat into my mouth when my phone goes off and Loxley’s moans fill the apartment.

Her jaw drops in shock as her cheeks turn a bright red. Her biscuit falls from her hands before pure anger takes over her features. “ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!”

I duck before a hot plate of food can connect with my face. It shatters on the floor, jelly and bacon remnants scattering all over the kitchen.

I straighten, holding my hands out to her in a stopping motion as she lifts a full cup of orange juice, ready to chuck it at my head.

“Wait!” I plead. “I just wanted you to hear it! I put my phone on silent anytime I’m near someone else. I would never let anyone hear what’s mine. I’ll change it back!”

Her eyes narrow. “Now! Go get it!”

I comply, biting on my knuckle to keep my laughter fromtraveling through the small apartment as I snatch my phone off her nightstand. Dom’s name flashes on the screen and I groan before running a hand down my face. I swipe to answer before holding it to my ear.

“Make it quick.” I command, my pleasant mood slipping fast.

“South syndicate sent a message. They’re wanting to call a truce.”

I scoff, running a hand over my mouth. “And we believe that?”

“Rowan seems to,” Dominic sighs. “He wants to try for peace before a headhunt starts.”

“Of fucking course he does,” I grumble. “What’s he wanting us to do?”

There’s shuffling from the other side of the phone. “He wants us to meet with the messenger and hear them out. He’s hoping once we can strike a deal, the Southern guys will let it the fuck go. Thalia pays her fine and everything goes back to normal.”

I don’t like this plan. Rowan is known for giving the benefit of the doubt to anyone. He’s trying so desperately to hang onto humanity, but this job abandoned morals a long time ago. I’m not sure what my brother is searching for, but he won’t find it in attempting to make peace with assassins.

I shake my head. “Get someone assigned to guard the bakery tonight and we’ll both go. I don’t want anyone meeting the South syndicate without backup.”

He agrees before telling me he’s going to put someone on Loxley’s store before hanging up. When the phone goes dead, my head hangs back on my shoulders and I sigh at the ceiling.

It’s almost over.

Once this shit is done, I’m taking a much needed vacation with my girl. I don’t know where we’re going, but I’ll toss her over my shoulder and take her somewhere fun she can’t even complain about. Shove a drink in her hand and set her ass on a beach chair.

Yeah, she would like that. She’s always liked the beach. I’m not a beach person, but I am a Loxley person. I’ll enjoy just watching her unwind and relax without a care in the world.

I return to the kitchen and stop just before the island. Loxley’s back is turned as she stares out the living room window. Down below, the quiet street is starting to wake up, and she takes bites of a strip of bacon as she watches people. The sight of her in my T-shirt has my cock stirring.

The sunlight highlights the red undertones of her golden hair and her eyes look like molten chocolate with the sun shining down. Her tan freckles that spatter the bridge of her nose and her chest are like constellations. When she sleeps, I always find myself tracing them with a finger and connecting them into shapes.

She’s easily the prettiest woman I’ve ever seen. Just the sight of her is enough to knock the wind from me. Hot possession wraps around me, and I want to take her back home with me. I want to show her the cottage I built for her and lock her away.

I also know my thoughts are certifiable, and I don’t care. I lost my sanity long ago, and something tells me that my girl is well aware of that, but doesn’t care.

She turns and the lighting surrounding her is like a fucking halo. “Phone.” She commands, holding a hand out.

I chuckle as I walk over and place my device in her palm. “Just don’t delete the video, please.”

She looks at me like I’ve grown two heads. “Are you kidding me? Just so you can turn it back to your ringtone?”