Page 141 of Bleed with Me

“Yes, but I love to punish you differently.” She wiggled her brows, her teeth sinking into her lower lip.

“Don’t tempt me,” I sighed, pecking her nose.

“Fine.” She smiled sweetly. “I’ll meet with Lucas for lunch, then join you. Will you be okay there?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“You know why.” She wrapped her legs around my hips and placed her hands on my biceps, caressing me gently. The closeness helped me to feel calm. “You’re in the darkest place while you’re in that room.” Her brows dipped. “What about if you wait for me? I’ll meet with Lucas at the bank right now and go with you.”

“Bank?” I frowned. “Do you need money?”

“No, Mr. rich husband.” She poked my abdomen with her index finger. “I don’t need money. Lucas needs an access code to my bank account. I’ll explain later. Will you wait for me? It won’t be more than an hour.”

“I’ll be fine.” I rested my forehead against her, warmth spreading beneath my ribs. She was so cute and caring. Nothing like a lunatic I married.

“Dorian,” Nina whispered, her eyes telling more than any words. She was worried. After I told her about the demon in my head, she wasn’t scared—just concerned.

“I promise I’ll be fine. You don’t need to come.” I pressed my lips against her forehead and reluctantly let go. “We should also tell your father about us,” I pointed out, taking my keys and phone. “And cancel the wedding with Carlile.”

The name tasted like poison on my tongue. But my heart missed a beat when I remembered reading the outcome of my scalpel session in his chart.

Permanent nerve damage.

Not enough for touching my wife, but enough for now.

“Wouldn’t it be better to wait a little longer?” Nina jumped off the chest of drawers and walked to the front door with me. “If my grandfather drowned my family in debt, I want to know who we owe.”

“But with me—”

“No.” She shook her head. “I won’t drag you into my mess. I’ll get to the bottom of this. Just give me more time.”

“Nina.” I roughly pulled her against my chest. “Are you investigating something you shouldn’t?”

“Maybe,” she whispered, her breathing quickening.

“Stop,” I ordered harshly. “Immediately cut off any efforts to find out who’s behind it.”

“But…”

“No buts,” I snapped. “Malin has the team working on it. They’ll find them.”

She pursed her lips in disapproval.

“Nina, I’m serious.” My voice dropped an octave. “Stop whatever you’re doing because if something happens to you…” I trailed off, unable to voice my deepest fear.

“Nothing will happen to me.” Her hands cupped my cheeks, and she stood on her tiptoes. “I’m your villain, handsome. Forever.”

She kissed me, erasing at least some of my worry, but I knew her enough to know she wouldn’t listen.

Fuck! Why couldn’t I marry a sweet, innocent, loving housewife?

Because those aren’t your flavor, asshole, the demon chuckled, and I rolled my eyes.

So fucking right.

-57-

Dorian