Little Stranger (The Web of Silence Duet, #1)

by Leigh Rivers

I will kill anyone who touches you.

No. You were mine when we were kids, and you’re mine now. You’ll always be mine.

Because I can’t talk? Because I can’t tell you how fucking breathtaking you are every second of every day? Because I can’t breathe without being near you?

Believe me or don’t, but you’re the only person in my life, and you always have been. And when you take your last breath, or I take mine, that won’t fucking change. You. Are. Mine. My goddamn property, do you understand?

The one time I tried to use it, I struggled to pronounce her name, and Olivia yelled at me that I was a liar, that she hated me, that we were done, and slapped me across the face before I could get her name past my lips.

If olivia has no haters im dead

She’s not smiling at herself in the mirror as she inspects her art—because that’s what Olivia Vize is, a piece of fucking art I want to own. I do own. She just doesn’t know it yet.

My version of love isn’t enough for her—I love her, I do, but how am I supposed to know what’s normal and what’s not? My world revolves around her and always has. And if that’s not a good-enough version of love for her, and I can’t make her happy, then what’s the point?

I stay against the wall, my hands behind me, and try to think of everything possible to make her stay. Willingly. I want Olivia to choose me. Please choose me. Nobody ever chooses me.

“Please,” I beg. “Accept my v-version of love. Pl-ease. I love you, Ol-l-l—

Of every mistake I’ve made in my life, not choosing Malachi has been my worst. He begged me on his knees with tears in his eyes, something I never thought I’d witness, and I walked away from him. I didn’t fight. I didn’t even try to make it work between us.

#1 olivia hater

Every day and night, we would hide under my bed. He was my best friend. But he never ever spoke, so why would I? He was happy without using his voice. I could be happy as well. He was my comforter. My protector. If he could conceal his voice and be brave enough to hide under my bed and not cry, then I could too.

“Tell me what you want in life.” I change the subject and lower my head, kissing the tip of her nose. “Tell me, so I can give it to you.”