Page 87 of Make Me Bleed

You’re so fucked up.

I grin vivaciously. “Are you turned on right now, baby?”

“No!” he shouts so loudly, I nearly wince, but that tells me all I need to know. My smile only widens as I stare at my runt, helplessly turned on and unable to do anything about it because he gotpissed on.

“Poor thing,” I reach around and pat his ass, which makes him snap at me. I chuckle and step back, holding up my hands in a placating gesture. “Get cleaned up, baby. I’ll meet you out here. We’ve gotta start dinner soon.”

“You’re seriously talking to me about food right now?” he growls, and I snicker.

“What better time?”

“Peris!”

“Have fun,” I boast before stepping out and grabbing a towel. Abel stomps his foot and huffs, and I can’t help but cackle. Such a little brat. Anamazingbrat.

And all fucking mine.

CHAPTER 22

ABEL

My nerves are shot.

I don’t think I can do this.

“You look like you’re about to throw up,” Peris says conversationally, and Gabriel snorts. I shoot them both a deadly glare and adjust my shirt for the umpteenth time.

“You look good, Abel. Quit stressing.”

“Fuck you,” I snap at Peris.

“Yes. That’s the spirit,” Gabe deadpans, and I bare my teeth. “You’re so on edge. It’s just Elise.”

“‘Just Elise,’he says,” I mutter. “Like that doesn’t mean fucking everything. Like I didn’t ruin her life.”

“Technically, if anyone ruined her life, it would’ve been—oof.” I look between the both of them and glare.

“I know who you’re talking about. You don’t have to be so secretive anymore,” I snap.

“Sorry, habit.” Peris shrugs sheepishly, and I can’t help but walk over and give him a soft kiss on the lips.

“Awe, don’t you two look so cozy.”

“Elise!” Gabe chimes, and I yank away from Peris like I got burned—or I try to, but he holds onto me.

“Peris…” I hiss, but he won’t let me go.

“We have nothing to hide anymore, Abel. Just… let me.” And when I look up into his eyes and see the soft sincerity there, I fall into it because how can I not?

“Fine.”

“Good boy.” I flush from head to toe. Then, I pull back and smack his arm.

“Don’t!” I hiss, and this time when I pull away, he lets me with a warm chuckle.

“Hey, Ma.”

“Hey, baby. It’s good to see you.” Peris pulls Elise in for a hug, and I’m left standing off to the side feeling awkward and out of place.