Quintessentially Q (Monsters in the Dark, #2)

by Pepper Winters

The pessimistic part of me—or was it the realistic part—wasn’t so sure.

Tess, stay alive. You fucking stay alive, or I’ll hunt your ghost and whip you stupid for leaving me.

We were going to war on behalf of a woman I was falling for. A woman who would be the catalyst for my business crumbling and my fortune draining away. But I would give it all away in a second if I could have her back intact. The beast inside snarled and ripped holes in my soul.

Beside us rose a huge majestic hotel. Designed in typical Russian beauty, it stood out like a ruby glinting in the night. Red accents on windowsills and plasterwork looked as good as the day it was painted. The pale pink turrets looked like a cupcake, iced by some fucking fairy. I was proud of this project but wanted to tear it the fuck down with my bare hands until nothing remained. And I would if Gerald had hurt Tess. I’d blow it up, with him inside.

Every movement felt different: smoother, sleeker. I no longer owned my body—the beast inside did. “Try and pretend you’re still human, man. You’re freaking me out, and I know you won’t hurt me.”

Murder. It was fast becoming a new hobby of mine.

my fucking other half.

“That’s what you’re here for. To keep me alive to do stupid shit like this.”

The moment Tess walked into my life she owned me. I would never be free again. I never wanted to be free again. If Tess thought she’d leave me by killing herself, she’d hate me for eternity when I kept her alive.

“I had no fucking life before you. You are my life. Without you, I might as well take a shotgun to my head and join you in the dirt because, Tess, if you leave me—if you’re so fucking weak not to fight, then that is what will happen to me. You’ll crucify me.”

Whimper and moan while I sit on my throne, we can be monsters together so we’re never alone…

Once a mind reached its breaking point—it didn’t break. It folded inward, layering like an accordion until every element of emotion was deleted.

She needs to give me back what’s mine.” “And that is?” Frederick goaded. “Her fucking heart.”

Showing just how much I needed the strong fiery woman who didn’t take my shit but let me hurt her anyway. I needed her so much.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me. I have a wife who loves me, and I really need to go and tell her how much I care. Seeing such a perfect thing ruined between two people fucking hurts.”

“You may not be mine, but I’m fast becoming yours.”

I knew she didn’t mean to sound creepy as fuck, but she looked like a little wind up doll asking me which murder weapon I preferred.

My over-worked heart thudded with happiness. I might’ve been able to help her after all. My life for her life. I’m glad.