Soft Tissue Damage (Deadly Hearts #2)

by Lilith Vincent

“You feel really safe,” she whispers. “Elena, I just killed four men.” “I know. Thank you.”

“I’ve been afraid that the police will find out what happened and arrest you. I keep picturing you in a jail cell because of me. I’ll do anything to stop that from happening.” Well, isn’t she a dream? Accomplice to my murders. Co-conspirator to my crimes. Sounds pretty intimate, when you think about it.

I caress her cheek with the backs of my knuckles. “You’re not frightened of me? I killed men right in front of you.” “Why would I be frightened of you? You’re the man who saved me.” Oh, fuck. My eyes drop to her mouth. I gave in to my bloodlust, and Elena is grateful. That’s the hottest thing a woman’s ever said to me.

I’ve reluctantly gone on birth control for my boyfriend, but I would happily go on birth control for Cullan. Who am I kidding? I would happily go off birth control for Cullan.

Forgetting this ever happened isn’t an option, which means I’m planning to steal my son’s girlfriend.

Elena deserves someone more sensitive to her needs. Leon needs someone who’ll call him out on his crap. They’re not a good match.

I can already hear him storming about the betrayal of his girlfriend kissing his father and making this all about his hurt and not hers. What we each did is not equivalent. The kiss between me and Elena was my fault, not hers. I want Elena to feel as beloved as she deserves. Leon was just horny.

“All Rosie did this afternoon was ask for you.” “Lay-na,” my daughter repeats, chewing on a carrot stick. I have to fight a smile. My daughter could be a paid actor she’s playing her part so well, but she just adores Elena as much as I do.

I can see Elena’s mind racing. This has all happened so fast. She’ll be the live-in nanny to her ex-boyfriend’s father. A man who killed four men for her. A man who kissed her. She thinks it would be a bad idea to say yes. I wouldn’t say yes. This is obviously a trap, but I’m counting on her not noticing the door to her pretty cage closing around her.

My sweet girl has been having a difficult time of it, but I’m fixing everything for her.

The man has baby fever. It’s kind of adorable.

As we survey the kitchen, I ask him, “Are you going to make it look like the Red Mask Killer did this?” He shakes his head as he shrugs into his shirt. “If I tried, the police wouldn’t believe it. I do things cleanly with no chance for my prey to run from me. This crime scene wasn’t controlled by the killer, and this place is a mess.” “Damn. I wasn’t expecting the murders I committed tonight to be critiqued by a professional.”