Page 160 of A Wild Darkness

“Good,” I say.

“All the members’ bodies have been accounted for. They’re all dead.” Hayden crosses one leg over the other, leaning back in his chair.

“Fuck. Finally.” A weighted sigh has me resting my head against the pillow. “Who’s up for a little break after this one?”

“Break?” River scoffs. “I just got back from a break. I’m ready to jump right into the next one.”

“I’m ready,” Christian adds. “But maybe we should take a short break, you know?”

River chuckles. “Fine. Let’s take a look at our database. I’m sure some of those killers were in there. It’ll feel good to change their status to eliminated.”

“I found Larry and Bob, not the others. I’ll have to add them.” Christian stands. “I have some work to do back at Nightrose Hall.”

“Your actual FBI job?” I like to give him shit about how he works more with us than the FBI.

He waves me off from behind. “I don’t work for you guys. Don’t forget that.”

“You don’t have to live here either!” River calls out. “You’re a billionaire too, remember?”

Despite never acknowledging it, he’s one of the majority shareholders in Thompson Innovations.

Christian mumbles something inaudibly on his way out.

“I wish I had billions to ignore!” Hayden shouts and rises from his chair next. “Okay, so, unless anything comes up, we’re going to take some time before choosing the next project?”

River and I both shoot him a side-eye, knowing Hayden has made millions from us.

“Yeah. That’s the plan,” River confirms.

“Okay, get out, you fuckers, so I can bring Stevie back in here and get some sleep.”

I say a quick goodbye to both of them, then reach to the table at the side of the bed to text Stevie.

Me: Come back.

Stevie: Miss me already?

Me: My dick does.

Stevie: OMG Sebastian. Haha.

Me: It’s true.

Stevie: Be right there.

I’m anxious to tell her we’re going to wait to take on another project. Maybe she’ll want to have a say in the next one we choose.

Wait. She’s going to join me, isn’t she? This is my life—but so is she.

Not even a minute later, she’s a vision in black standing amid the shadows of the doorway. I open one arm, gesturing for her to climb in.

And that’s exactly what she does.

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

STEVIE

Dr. Charles finally cleared Sebastian by the end of the week to return to the manor. He’ll stop by once a day for the next couple of weeks, slowly pulling back until Sebastian can start physical therapy on his shoulder.