Page 20 of A Wild Darkness

“Sort of.”

I rub my temples, still confused. “So? What does that have to do with me?”

“It’s complicated. And you’re the only other woman besides your sister who’s aware of what I do.”

Sebastian and his cousin both own Thompson Innovations, but at night they’re vigilantes who take down predators that have somehow evaded the system. They have an entire operation, with their aunt acting as some sort of assistant, but she works mostly with their tech company. And a night crew with highly skilled men who clean up after them.

“A new project?” I rest a hand on the prep table to steady myself. “I thought Lux wasn’t taking on anything else.”

I knew my sister would be involved in more of River and Sebastian’s nightly activities, but I had hoped she’d take some time off to recover from being at the center of the last one.

“They aren’t taking this on. I am.” Sebastian squares his shoulders. “But if I want to infiltrate this group, I need a girlfriend.”

“Excuse me?”

“The Society thinks I have a girlfriend,” he tells me. “So, Stevie, will you pretend to be my girlfriend so I can infiltrate a secret society of serial killers and take them down, one by one?”

Girlfriend!

Suddenly, the muscles in my legs give out at the thought of being involved with Sebastian and his cousin again. I lower to the floor, but before my body comes into contact with the cold, unforgiving tile, I’m hoisted up again by two brawny arms.

“What are you doing?” I shout as Sebastian sets me on top of the counter. My legs, like jelly, dangle over the edge.

“Are you okay?” he asks, keeping one warm hand on my bent knee, bracing me.

My thoughts are in a frenzy. He wants me involved?

“Absolutely not.” I comb my fingers through my hair because the room temperature has surged. “What happened to Lux was terrifying, and you want me to do it all again, but with myself?”

Sebastian’s face softens as he rests a steady palm on the top of my hand. “I’ll be there with you.”

“No,” I protest, yanking my hand away, ignoring the heat radiating off his skin. “How do you expect us to work together on something with such high stakes? We don’t even like each other.”

“Who said I don’t like you?”

“Stop playing,” I retort. “You annoy the shit out of me, and it’s clear I do the same to you.”

He shrugs. “Probably just sexual tension.”

I arch a brow. “Oh, is that what it’s called?”

“It’s clear we have no choice but to fuck in order to work together effectively.” He folds his arms across his chest. “I’m ready when you are.”

I fight a blush. “You can’t be serious?”

“I’m kidding.” He chuckles. “But if you want⁠—”

“Sebastian!” I slap his arm.

His expression sobers. “Look, I know this is a crazy ask, but you’re the only one who knows about what we do.” But a slight chuckle escapes before he continues. “And you don’t seem to be fazed by it.”

I pull my mouth to the side, feeling exposed. I may find what Sebastian and his cousin do to be insane, but there’s a part of me, like my sister, who craves the thrill. And not that I want to give Sebastian any sort of admiration, but I respect his take on justice, because I have it, too.

But I also have immense respect for death itself.

“I may not have reacted the same way a normal person would, but that doesn’t mean I want to be a part of it.”

Sebastian wanders to the opposite side of the prep table, his eyes casually taking in the covered body of Mr. Branson. “Do you enjoy what you do, Stevie?”