Page 188 of The Wicked

“You shot me.”

“Your voice bugged me. And I didn’t like your tone. Don’t interrupt me again.”

I rolled my eyes but let him continue.

“When I said I do not like to torture physically, I did not mean that I refrain from doing it entirely. Sometimes I like to do it, but ninety-nine percent of the time, I enjoy playing with the mindsof my victims. I love painting images and scenarios in their heads. I don’t seek fear; I seek terror. Fear is so little compared to the pure smell of terror you can get from a human body when you meddle with their mind.”

I gulped down a bitter taste in my throat.

“I left the man to his mind. I want him to think of all the things he will go through, all the questions he’ll be asked, all thelieshe’ll have prepared for them. I want him to second-guesseverything.I want him at the peak of his mind, thinking of the first words I’ll say, the first question I’ll ask, and the first look I’ll give him; I want him to get very comfortable with his situation. I want him to prepare, to be ready… Only then will I visit him.” He said it all with his eyes flickering between mine, searching, waiting, learning.

I swallowed again, my throat beyond dry. “And what if his people are recruiting? What if—”

“They would never dare it. Not without thorough preparation. Not without starting a war that would most likely affect each man and those who share his last name, not without ensuring they can take down this empire. I would like to think it would take years of preparing. Because if it doesn’t, and they storm in here with guns and bombs at the ready… existences would be wiped out; they know that, and this reason alone is why I will win.”

A cold chill ran down my spine. “Why do you have to be so intense.”

“I am under the influence, and I am in your presence, so yes.” His eyes searched mine.

“What has my presence got to do with your intensity?”

His lips lifted a little at the sides. “You arouse me, Zahra. Mind, body, and soul. I am always ready to talk when you’re here; your influence on me is… highly delectable.”

Something was melting in my chest, sinking and rubbing against the walls of my stomach with a tickle that made my insides feel excited.

This man is fucking with my mind.

And I… like it.

“Have I finally succeeded in shutting you up with something other than my cock, Querida?”

I swallowed, clearing my throat and straightening.

Amusement lingered in his eyes as he watched me. “You didn’t shut me up,” I lied. “As embarrassing as it might sound, I was trying to understand the meaning ofdelectable.”

“Mm-hmm.” He hummed mockingly, still watching me.

“I’m being dead-ass serious.”

“Did I counter it?”

“Not with words—your littlemm-hmmsound did all the countering I needed to hear.”

He nodded, bringing his cigar to his lips again, sucking in smoke before placing the cigar on the ashtray, letting the lit end burn away, not once looking away from me.

He turned his head to the side a bit, dark gray eyes still on me as thick white smoke danced out of his mouth, caressing my cheek and increasing the dull thumping between my legs. “You need to talk to your team members; they might wonder why you are not back.”

“They don’t—”

“I am going to try to get some sleep. Things blur when I’ve been awake for more than seventy-two hours… I get a little… light in the head.”

I nodded, my teeth pressing on my bottom lip before I released it and spoke. “When do we see each other again?”

His lips twitched as he watched me. “I will call.”

“Or I could just sneak out whenever I can? Cause you have so many drinks, and your house is huge?”

“Would dropping by now and then make you satisfied?”