Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 85490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Whoever he is, and whatever he is, I don’t care. That’s the game, isn’t it? And the game is all I want. It feels good, being close to Jackal, taking risks and pushing my boundaries, and I feel safe doing it for some bizarre reason. Maybe it’s the mask, or maybe it’s Jackal himself, but I don’t think he wants to hurt me.
As I head back to my place, my phone buzzes. I pull it from my back pocket and frown at the screen. My heart skips a beat and I try not to laugh.
Jackal: When am I seeing you again, little demon?
Laura: I don’t recall adding you to my phone.
Jackal: You’re mine now, remember? That includes all your electronic devices.
Laura: That’s extremely invasive.
Jackal: And yet you like it. When do I get to see you next?
Laura: Five days. I’ll have a car by then.
Jackal: Perfect. I can wait until then. I’m already planning our next game.
Jackal: I promise, you’ll like it.
Jackal: Now, go back to your house. I have your security cameras turned on, and I want to see you.
Laura: You’re in my security system too?
Jackal: Don’t make me say it again. You’re all mine now.
Yes, it’s objectively crazy, but I’m smiling like an idiot when I go into my house knowing that Jackal can tap into my cameras and sensors. He’s probably looking at me right now—and a sudden, stupid idea washes over me.
There’s a camera in the living room. It’s usually turned off, except for when I power on the system. I head over toward it, and I swear the lens is staring at me. I smile, brush my hair back, and slowly take off my top.
My phone buzzes.
Jackal: What are you doing?
Laura: Nothing. It’s warm in here.
I reach back and unhook my bra. I hold it in place, heart racing with excitement, the thrill of his unseen gaze sending shivers down my spine.
Jackal: Are you trying to tease me right now?
Jackal: If you are, our next game is going to be a punishment.
Laura: Tease? Never.
I let the bra fall away before covering my breasts with one arm. I smile at the camera and turn away, feeling flushed and happy. I feel him watching as I walk upstairs and into my room, and my eyes jump to where I have my laptop sitting open on my bed. The little green camera indicator light is glowing.
Laura: You like watching me, don’t you?
Jackal: Because you like being watched.
Laura: I’m going into the shower now. I’m going to think about you while I get myself off nice and loudly. Feel free to listen if you like.
I head into the bathroom and kick the door shut. The shower water is nice and warm as I take off the rest of my clothes and step under the spray, closing my eyes and thinking about his hands on my body.
Jackal: You tease.
Jackal: My god. You get me so fucking hard.
Jackal: Those sexy whimpers.
Jackal: You’re touching yourself for me right now, you dirty girl.
Jackal: I can hear, you little demon. I hear you moaning my name, you filthy fucking girl. I’m going to shove my fingers in your mouth, and I’ll make sure they’re dripping wet with your pussy first.
Jackal: Five days, baby. Five more days.
Chapter 15
Marco
Iwas nearly killed in a drive-by shooting two days ago. I should be spending every waking minute figuring out who was behind it and making sure they pay.
Instead, half my time is spent watching Laura through the cameras in her house. Conveniently, more appeared on her network: one in the basement, another in the kitchen, and another in her upstairs hallway. She must’ve added them knowing I’d tap in and watch her every move.
I can spend hours staring as she sculpts in the basement. There is nothing more beautiful than a person doing what they’re good at, and Laura is very, very talented. She’s like a painter with that chisel, and when she gets into her flow state, nothing I can do or say will distract her. It’s incredible, her focus.
It helps that she wears these cut-off tops and leggings, and even though her respirator covers her face, that’s sexy too. It’s a kind of mask, and masks are sort of our thing.
The real world beckons eventually. Even though all I want to do is watch my little demon work, I have to focus on what’s really important. Which is why I end up at a bar in a nice part of the city sitting in a corner booth with Ronan and Julien.
They heard all about the attack from Adam already. “What I don’t understand is how anyone knew the two of you were going to be together,” Ronan says. He’s leaning back with one arm across the back of the seat and a whiskey in his other hand. He swirls it, frowning deeply.