The Devil's Vice (The Dark Triad, #1)

by Mindy Paige

“No, please!” he chokes, stepping in front of her. “Please, don’t—” Bang!

…sorry bae that was kinda ur fault idk

I try not to think about the last words Dr. Slater said to her as I hasten after the stretcher. If what he said is true, then we deliberately left that other man to die. To bleed out alone.

Hold on wtf

“Time of death…01:38.” Thank fuck, at least it’s over. Thirty four years was too many.

LMAO REAL

I was wrong earlier. She’s not pretty; she’s striking. High cheekbones, a button nose arcing perfectly up to her brow, and thick, dark lashes framing a pair of the most dazzling green eyes I’ve ever seen. A deep, mossy emerald, like the hue of magnolia leaves in summertime. Want. Want, want, want.

A pang rings in my chest, but it has more to do with the look on her face than any pain from the wound. I have a strange urge to reach out and hold her, to ease the frightened look in her eyes. Need. Need, need, need. I’m not going to hurt you. I wouldn’t. Not something so beautiful, so precious.

I yank the cap off with my teeth and pour out a thin line on the back of my hand before snorting the crystalline powder in one swift breath. Instantly, a warm buzz flows through my veins, dulling the pain in my chest while clearing my fog in a way only a powerful stimulant like Rebound can.

Umm ion like dat 😕

Rebound should have helped and ceased every line of thought connected to her. The desire to take her. Have her. Want. Want, want, want. Something carnal roars to life in my chest, filling me with an insatiable desire as an image of those mossy emeralds flashes in my mind. Something about their raw innocence haunts me, and the madness curls its slender fingers into every recess of my mind, unlocking doors left and right. Need. Need, need, need.

“Not just that! Bear told me they took you to the hospital! Do you even realize how stupid that was?” It was kind of hard for me to resist while my lungs were filling with blood, but there’s no point in explaining it to him.

Like??

The last thing I need is someone getting in the way of my new plans. My plans for her.

Wdym by that 😃

As Lillith shuts her window, I’m struck with the desire to do something for her. Something to bring back the light in her eyes. I rack my brain, thinking back to how her lips lifted in the smallest of smiles when the bird started pecking at her breadcrumb offering. As much as she loves the animal, she also loves being able to take care of something. If I bring her a present for her pet, maybe I’ll see that smile again.

😭😭 this reminds me of secretly yours w the Hallie smiles

And just what the hell is he doing in the parking lot at this time, anyway? Due to seniority, Drew always takes the first shift, so why isn’t he inside right now? I glance around the parking lot but don’t see his car anywhere in the back lot. Huh, weird.

Nope. Uh uh

“Why the hell do you care so much?” Drew’s chest shakes with a chuckle, though I can’t help but think there’s an undercurrent of malice in it. “It’s just a stupid pigeon. A million of them are shitting all over this city.

Oh naw u can head out

I barely get two inches between us before his arms snake around my back, pulling me flush against his chest. “Drew…what are you doing?” I whisper, trying to wriggle out of his viselike grip. “Shhhh,” he murmurs, sliding his hand up my back. Two of his fingers reach around the side of my neck and press into the space just below my jaw. “I’m just feeling your pulse.”

NEGRO PLS GET TF AWAY

“Sorry about that. It’s the technician in me. Always gotta check the vitals.”

Stfu 😑🖕🏾

Instead, I feel empty. Worthless. “I’m so lonely,” I whisper, another wave of emotion taking all the air out of my lungs. “So fucking lonely.”

My thumb brushes over the messy scrawl, a hint of a smile tipping my lips. Is it fucked up that he broke in to leave these? Sure. But it’s also sweet… in a disturbed kind of way. He even got me my favorite flavor sucker—and a shit ton of them, to boot. I guess as far as stalkers go, he’s not the worst one to have.

🤷🏾‍♀️

“What the fuck, Jack? You said they weren’t cleaning out the old man’s stuff until tomorrow! It’s fucking empty!” “Don’t blame me! They said they were cleaning it on the fifth!” By the whine in his voice, I assume Jack is the tall one. “It’s the sixth today, you moron!”

Oh brother🤦🏾‍♀️

As I glance at the flower in my palm, something akin to a smile tugs at my lips. A beautiful gift for a beautiful girl.

Before either of us realizes what's going on, I whip around and sink my teeth into his forearm.

Oh period

🫡

“Someone a little nervous?” he coos, mistaking my resistance for first-date jitters as he digs his fingertips into my upper thigh. “How about I help you relax?” My body freezes as he trails his hand slowly toward my core, easing past the hem of my shorts. It’s only when his fingertips brush the edge of my panties that I come to my senses, and I quickly push my hand against his forearm to stop his assault. His eyes flash with annoyance, but thankfully, he withdraws his hand with a forced chuckle. “Sorry. I got a little carried away.” He brushes the situation away with a wave of his hand and a wink. “You’re just too damn sexy.” “It’s okay,” I murmur, squeezing my thighs together as he rests his palm on my knee. “I just don’t really do… that.” “Hey, there’s a first time for everything.” Sam laughs easily and throws another wink my way. “We’ll see how you feel after I get a few drinks in you.”

Bro WHAT is wrong w these men I’m sick

I shove the door open, getting one of my legs out onto the pavement before Sam grips my arm and hauls me back into the car. “Going so soon?” he coos into my ear, brushing a large hand across my throat and settling over the top of my windpipe. My breath quickens as he holds gentle pressure, keeping me locked in place against his chest.

I’m so mf sick and tired likeee

Too scared to look back, I slam the door closed behind me and race up the stairs to the second floor, needing more than one barrier between me and the man I just assaulted.

Well no he assaulted u so self defense

Although, can I really blame him for wanting more at the end of the date? I hadn’t exactly stopped his advances throughout the night. Maybe it was my fault, and I reacted too harshly.

NOPE U CAN DEF BLAME HIM

I hate the lack of control I have when it comes to her. Breaking his kneecaps in the middle of the street was risky. Too risky, even in her shithole of a neighborhood. I just couldn’t help it. When I saw that fucking oaf’s hands on her, I…

The little pigeon blinks at me, lifting one leg to scratch behind his wing. Then, to add insult to injury, he shits on my sill. "You know, you're making it kind of hard to defend your species, Herb," I grumble, placing a handful of seed onto the sill. "Really damn hard."

💀

It was him, wasn’t it? He threw the brick last night, and now he’s hurt Sam. My chest constricts in a blind panic as I remember the look on Sam’s face when he saw me just a moment ago. Oh God, did he do this because we went out last night? Or because he heard me struggling to get Sam to stop? The worms, the flower, the lollipops—they were all so innocent. But this? This is too fucking far. This is wrong.

Ma’am…nvm

Our heads snap toward the door, and Drew’s confusion mirrors my own as Sandra whirls inside, weighed down by the drug tray in her arms. Her mouth begins the motion of a smile, but as soon as she notices Drew at the side of my bed, she balks. “What are you doing here, Sandra?” Drew asks, his voice low and menacing. I turn to him, about to ask who shit in his Froot Loops, when I notice his murderous expression. What the actual hell?

Huh 😑

“I’m perfectly capable of doing it, Sandra. Give me the medicine,” Drew demands, making that motion with his hand once more. “I have orders from—” “I said it’s not necessary, Sandra!” Drew hisses, effectively cutting her off. “Give it to me.” She sniffs, turning to the side ever so slightly. Her movements are so quick that I nearly miss it, but I swear she switches out the bottle in her hand for another in the tray. “Here.” She thrusts the small glass vial at Drew, and I don’t miss the way he double-checks the label. “Thanks. I’ll see you later, Sandra.” The two exchange a conspiratorial look that I can’t decipher, but I don’t have time to question her before she slips from the room.

See now wtf is goin on 🤨

That was… odd. I’ve never felt unsafe around Drew. In fact, it’s always been the complete opposite. I shake my head, ignoring that silly little screaming in the back of my mind. I’m paranoid from lack of sleep, that’s all. It’s like Dr. Slater said. I just need some sleep, and all will be fine.

Oh fucking brother

He cackles, and I listen to him snort something in the background. Fucking druggie.

Um?? Pot meet kettle??

What I do know is there was an order to administer a little… heart-stopping agent when she passed out today. That obviously didn’t happen, so…” “Who?” I ask, my voice terrifying even to my own ears. “Who was going to administer it?” “Sandra Payne.”

…ion like drew but he kinda saved us/still possibly wants to kill us?

“Do you want to pass out again? I’m taking you back down to the infirmary.” “No, please—” A yelp tears from my throat as Drew grips my arm, hauling me roughly to my feet. “You’re overreacting. Let go of me!” I order, stumbling after him as he hauls me in the direction of the elevator. “Drew, you’re hurting me!” He stops short, causing me to stumble face-first into his muscular back. Before I have time to balance, he whips around, taking my shoulders in a firm grip. “I’m so sorry, Lillly,” he whispers, his voice cracking like he’s seconds away from breaking down. “Are you okay? God, I’m such a fucking moron.”

Nawr ion trust him ✋🏾

“It just so happens that I have the perfect solution to your problem.” “And what’s that?” I ask, eyeing him with slight suspicion. “I’ll come over tonight and keep you safe.”

No❤️

“See you tonight!” he calls right before the doors slam shut. It occurs to me that he never asked for my address, but I shrug it off. He was probably just so excited that he forgot, and I could always text it to him later.

Ma’am I beg

Dozens of pictures line the two large whiteboards in the corner of the room, each of which depicts a different young woman.

SERIAL KILLER☝🏾

Now that the fog is clearing, I must deal with the repercussions of my recklessness. My fist clenches at my side as my eyes fall on the pile of ash in the corner. I’m not sorry for what I did. Not at fucking all. But it should have been done differently, in a way that didn’t guarantee I would be caught and put away for life.

Like-

But then I hear it again. Louder. Like someone is tampering with the lock on my front door. Click… click… click… The blood drains from my face as the door flies open, revealing the hooded stranger from my nightmares. Calmly, the man steps inside, ducking his head under the frame to accommodate his height.

Welp 💀

“I’m going to take you now, Lillith,”

Gotcha

Before my resolve can weaken, I charge toward him, shoving the blade deep into the flesh on his thigh. It makes a god-awful sucking noise as it pierces the tattooed skin, and bile rises in my throat. “Fuck, yes.” The man groans, wrapping an arm around my back before I have time to escape. With the other, he reaches down, gently wrapping around my hand still attached to the hilt of the blade in his thigh. Tightening his grip, he guides my wrist to the right, twisting the steel blade farther into his flesh. “Oh fuck,” he moans, his eye rolling to the back of his head as blood gushes from the wound. “Just like that.”

Sir…u have smth to share w the class?🤨

Before I realize what’s happening, he crashes his mouth down onto mine. Though I should be revolted, it fills my belly with a strange kind of warmth, a twisted desire. Instinctually, I kiss him back, letting out a little moan as he fists his fingers at the back of my hair.

Welp

You’ll make sure she’s safe, that no one can lay their dirty fucking fingers on her. She’ll be safe. Safe, safe, safe, safe…

“Lillith?” I coo, bending down to peer into the cage installed beneath my bed.

Huh??

“You shouldn’t fight so much.” You’re hurting yourself. Please stop, I can’t fucking stand it.

Call from: John “Onyx” Wallace I groan, shoving it back into my pocket. Onyx only calls when it’s something important to do with the club. Blowing him off to play with my toy would be careless. Careless, but so, so worth it.

Bestie I think u should take the call idk

Ever since he laid his hands on me, I’d been craving his violent touch. He terrifies me, but he also makes me feel alive. Now that I’ve had a taste of it, I want more. Need more.

He dips down, nuzzling his face into my neck. “Kain and Lillith. The devil and his queen. It sounds delicious, doesn’t it?” His teeth sink into the side of my neck, and I let out a little whimper. “What do you think, my queen?”

I don’t know what emotion bubbles in my chest, but if the books are right, then I think I’m…excited. Excited to make Lillith breakfast.

“Let me break you, Lillith.” I promise you’ll only regret it for a little while.

I…

His dark gaze holds mine, and electricity crackles between us. My pulse races as I fight the pull of his energy, beckoning me to give in to my deepest desires. Kain reaches a hand toward my face, and though I know I should back away, I lean into his touch. A calloused thumb brushes my cheek, and I go limp, letting his massive palm hold the weight of my head. “I like making you smile,” he murmurs, his thumb sweeping over my bottom lip. “I wish I could do it more often.” “I’m sor—” “No.” He cuts me off, his gaze hardening. “Do not apologize. I won’t hear it.” He leans in, his lips brushing mine like a whisper. “It’s my job to make you happy.”