Page 3 of Thorns of Death

Geez. I’d just kill them all. Much easier.

“Where have you been?” she exclaimed in her over-the-top “mother” voice. The girls and I shared a knowing look. “Stop rolling your eyes,” she grumbled. “Get to your spots,” she ordered in her sternest voice.

She may have been the youngest of us all, but that definitely didn’t stop her from being the bossiest.

The three of us snapped to attention, stifling our grins. “Aye, aye, Captain.” The salute we gave almost made me lose it and burst into laughter.

TWO

ISLA

Three hours later, we clinked our crystal glasses in celebration, alcohol swishing and drops spilling over the table.

“To us,” we exclaimed in unison. “Today Paris, tomorrow the world.”

We found our way back to the dance floor, swaying our hips and laughing. For the first time in over two years, I felt lighter. The murder we’d committed didn’t feel as heavy on my soul tonight, and by the looks on my friends’ faces and the way they let their bodies flow with the music, they felt the same.

I didn’t like to remember how death looked, although sometimes it felt impossible to forget the frosted, blank eyes devoid of life. A ghost of a shiver rolled through me, but I shook my head, chasing the memories away. Tonight it was all about celebrating our achievements.

Letting my gaze travel over the crowded bar, I spottedhimagain. My hot daddy. The incredibly gorgeous stranger, only a few feet away from me. And—oh my gosh, he was coming my way. My friends all but forgotten, I took a step toward him and the scent of sin and citrus wafted into my nostrils.

Fuck, I’d always been a sucker for citrus.

The corner of his lips tugged up. “Ciao.”

Oh my wet panties. That Italian accent. Smooth and raspy. God, yes. Take me. Ravish me. Do something,anything.

“Hello,” I greeted him, appearing cool and sophisticated, at least in my mind. All the while, my heart bounced within the walls of my rib cage like it was on steroids. Jesus Christ, so much hotness couldn’t be healthy.

“Celebrating?” he asked, his eyebrows arching in mild interest. “By the looks of it, the fashion show went well.”

Forget the fashion show, Daddy.If this man could just scoop me up and take me into a dark corner and make me come, I’d have something to celebrate.Good God, get yourself together, Isla! No sex on the first date.Although, technically this was the second time I saw him—in the same night, sure, but hey, just minor details. I tended not to get hung up on those.

“Yeah,” I breathed, wondering what exactly he wanted. Somehow, it struck me that I wasn’t his usual type. My eyes flickered past him to where he’d left his date. Thirties. Blonde hair. Legs that went on and on, almost reaching the sky, while mine stopped too close to the earth. God, she had to be, like, over six-four at least. Meanwhile little ol’ me was barely pushing five foot four, and my ginger hair only screamed wild and untamed. Sure men had pursued me before, and I’d turned down my fair share of eligible bachelors who offered me riches on a silver platter, but that was just the way it was when you were constantly surrounded by the arts. You always had to read between the lines. They wanted to sample something new and exotic.

Yeah, something was fishy here. Why was this guy talking to me?

He closed the rest of the distance between us and my chest squeezed. I could feel the heat radiating from beneath his sophisticated tailored suit. He reminded me of my brothers, in some ways. Dark, brooding, intimidating.

None of which I cared for very much. Luckily for my brothers, I loved them anyway. This guy, however, had some crazy magnetic pull on me that I definitely didn’t need. Just one look from him could steal the breath from my lungs.

I was S.C.R.E.W.E.D.

This was what all the stupid Disney movies were about. Handsome men who swooped in, made you do dumb, reckless stuff, and then left you. Disney just conveniently decided not to cover the last part.

As if he read my thoughts, his beautiful and oh-so-kissable lips curved into a smile, and every part of me melted into a puddle.

“Isla, we’re gonna head to another bar,” Athena shouted. “You coming?”

I waved my hand noncommittally, drowning in this stranger’s dark gaze. “Yeah, I’ll meet you there.”

I didn’t bother sparing her a look. I feared if I tore my eyes off this man, he’d disappear again and I’d miss my chance. For whatever ridiculous reason, it felt like Ineededthis chance.

I had to keep him in my vicinity.

To keep his heat. To keep his darkness. Just for a little while longer.

He studied me with the same interest, and I wondered what he saw. A drip of darkness that slithered through my light, slowly suffocating it? Or was it the sins I’d committed? The ghost of a smile passed his lips, and his dimples turned my stomach into warm goo. God, I had never been much into anatomy, but there was something so bewitching about his sharp jawline. The curves and edges of his face were ruthless. Between those cutthroat cheekbones and square chin was a mouth that must have been made for saying filthy things in the romance language. Even his straight nose was attractive.