Page 90 of How To Catch A Killer … And Date His Best Friend

She holds my stare, that confidence unwavering. “Blindfolded.”

Maddox leans forward between the seats and steals her attention. “You saw me in action, right? I’m not trying to piss in your Cheerios, and I’m sure you have some wicked skills, but babe, I’m a fucking beast.”

She just grins. “You’re right. You are a beast. I was thoroughly impressed by the way you slaughtered those guards. Buuuuuut, you’re not better than me.”

I laugh, and she glances back at me. “That goes for you too, Hunter Cole.”

I shake my head. There’s no fucking way, but I’m not about to burst her little bubble. If believing that she’s untouchable is what puts that smug little smile on her face, then so be it. I’ll let her believe it. But not for long. When the time comes, I’ll be sure to let her know who’s really on top around here.

Our conversation falls away as I pull up into Maddox’s driveway, and after cutting the engine and making my way to the door, I find myself pausing on the front porch, my gaze locked on Lyra.

“What?” she mutters, not missing a thing.

“There’s one thing I don’t get,” I muse as Maddox pauses, wanting to know what’s on my mind. “If you were in the back alley that first night, why put on such an act afterward?”

“What do you mean?”

“When you saw me in the street and followed me to that apartment complex. You already knew, but acted like you were only just finding out.”

She shakes her head. “I didn’t know,” she says as we hear Smooch inside, desperate for someone to open the door so he can barrel into Lyra’s legs. “That night in the back alley, I was there for barely a second. In and out. I took my shot and took off. I knew there was a contract, but at that point, I didn’t know who it belonged to, just that there was another killer in the area. I got off on the idea of stealing your hit, but I didn’t care to wait and see who you were. That didn’t matter. Not until I’d worked out who you were. But I gotta give it to the both of you, I had no idea you were working as a team. You cover your tracks well.”

Maddox grins. “Well, we are professionals after all.”

I roll my eyes and brace myself against the porch pillar. “So, are we done lying to each other?” I ask, holding her stare. “No more stealing my hits.”

She grins. “I mean, if you can’t take the shot before I do, then that’s on you.”

“Oh, so it’s gonna be like that?”

“It’s already been like that, and I have no intention of stopping.”

Maddox laughs. “Fuck, this is going to be fun.”

Lyra grins and leans into his chest, and he presses a kiss to her temple. He really is falling in love with her. But honestly, I think I am too.

“Come on,” I say, stepping past them and reaching for the door. “Let’s get your ass inside before Maddox tries to fuck you here on the porch.”

“I have no problems with that,” she laughs.

They follow me through the door, and as Smooch lets loose and races toward Lyra, desperate for her attention, Maddox laughs. “Fuck, so when you invited the killer to target that woman next . . .”

“Oh, that was all for me.”

25

LYRA

The sun shines through the bedroom window, and I have to squint against the brightness as the mattress beneath me gently shakes.

“Mmmmm. What the fuck?” I murmur to myself, dragging my hand down my face.

When I sit up on my elbows, I find Smooch lying horizontally across Maddox’s pillow, staring directly into my soul.

His tongue lolls out, and as he breathes right in my face, I realize he’s the one gently shaking the bed with nothing more than the pure weight of his body as he sucks oxygen into his lungs.

“Good morning my little Smoochy-pie,” I say, adopting my best baby voice, but I quickly realize my mistake. Smooch gets so excited that he jumps to his feet and immediately crowds me, having absolutely no concept of personal space.

“Smoooooch!” I groan, trying to shove him away, but it’s no use. I’ve woken up in this bed enough times to know there’s nothing I can do about it. I have to let it run its course. Maddox usually rushes in to save me from the onslaught of his dog’s foul morning breath, but this morning, it appears I’m all alone.