Page 50 of Phantasm

“You? No.”

A smile creeps onto my lips as I walk past him to retrieve my purse from the chair. Darian follows me like a hawk, his eyes warming my back and the curve of my ass.

Whatever sizzles between us is too poignant to ignore. Do I even want to? Sure, he’s a controlling asshole and a member of the organization I set out to destroy, but he’s also hot as hell, and it would be a shame not to fuck him out of my system before killing him like I should have done the moment I first entered the Exodus party.

Besides, if I’m going to find out what happened to my dad, Darian is my best lead, and I can’t get him to trust me if I don’t try to seduce him first.

Straightening up, I clutch my purse as I turn around. Darian clears his throat and looks away, but his eyes soon trail back, almost as if he can’t help himself.

“Tell me,” I say as I saunter up to him, “is there perhaps a library where we’re going?”

Darian holds his breath while I remove invisible lint from his shirt.

My gaze lifts to his. “I have an affinity for literature.”

“Yeah?” he croaks.

I almost laugh.Almost.I’m not unaffected by his presence and sheer size as he towers over me with his broad shoulders and tall height. I have to crane my neck to look him in the eye, which my clit likes, judging by the throbbing heartbeat between my thighs.

“What type of literature specifically? Thrillers? Women’s fiction?”

“Try erotica.”

He chokes on his breath before he spins around and walks out. “We’re setting off in five minutes.”

Pressing a palm over my mouth, I suppress a bout of giggles. The man is too easy to rile up.

The car ride is tense.

I don’t know where we’re going because the man beside me won’t engage in conversation. I’ve tried, but he’s a locked vault, and all my questions are met with one-word answers. I get thedistinct feeling he’s nervous about something, which makes me nervous. The anticipation messes with my head.

Darian sits with his legs spread, his thigh pressing against mine. Every time he shifts, his cologne thickens in the air, making it even harder to breathe in this confined space.

I straighten when the car rolls through a set of large iron gates with greater security than the White House. “Where are we?”

Darian checks his Rolex. “This estate belongs to Mr. Visage.”

My eyes widen, and I swing my head around to look at him. “He’s the man who purchased Lauren.”

We come to a stop in a circular driveway next to a set of steps, and Darian exits the car without another word.

I stare out at the large estate, admiring the elegant architecture and impressive columns. Large windows reflect the manicured gardens, the sun glinting on the shiny surface.

Warmth unfurls in my chest as I gaze at Darian, who greets Mr. Visage with a firm handshake. Something tells me we weren’t invited here; Darian arranged this dinner because he wanted to please me.

The driver opens my door, and I take his outstretched hand as he helps me out of the car. After I thank him, he tips his hat in acknowledgment. My eyes shift to Darian, who is already looking at me while his friend continues to talk.

A blush creeps up my neck from the intensity of Darian’s frosty gaze as I walk closer, ignoring the other man’s dismissive glance in my direction. Darian seems focused solely on me, but then my attention slides past him to the woman waiting by the door. A smile spreads across my face so wide that my cheeks begin to hurt.

I slam my purse against Darian’s chest and then take off running. Lauren is here; she’s really here, and she’s okay.

I swoop her up in a bear hug. “You’re okay.”

“I’m okay.”

“Let me look at you.” Releasing her, I grab her shoulders, unable to believe my eyes. It’s only been weeks, but it feels like an eternity. Laurens’s wild auburn hair tumbles over her shoulders. She’s makeup-free, with freckles smattered across her sun-kissed cheeks. Dressed in a simple dress and sandals, she looks effortlessly beautiful.

“Are you sure you’re okay? I’ve been so worried.”