Page 241 of The Villain We Tempt

He shakes his head. “The only thing you’ve ever ruined isme.”

I roll my eyes. “Please. As if I could ever even look at another man after you.”

He shrugs. “I mean, youcould. I’d just have to kill them after.”

“Mmm,” I purr. “Talk red flag to me, baby.”

He slides his hands over my hips, drawing me close. I inhale his scent that smells like desire, feel his heat that tells me I'm safe, revel in his nearness which feels like home.

I reach up, my heart racing as I cup his face.

“I saw your video,” I whisper quietly.

His eyes lock with mine. “And?”

“And I love you?—”

“You don’t lovehim.”

I scream and whirl to the voice and the metallic click behind me.

Nacho’s eyes gleam in the moonlight as he levels the barrel of a gun at us.

“You loveme, Villainess,” he spits. “You'remine.”

41

LOCHLAN

I don’t realizeI’ve sprung between Nacho and Galina and shoved her behind me until I’m staring down the barrel of his gun.

Time goes still for a moment, the thudding of my pulse slowed and sluggish.

It’s like my eyes are seeing something but my brain refuses to acknowledge it. Nacho's pointing a gun at us with rage and pain in his eyes. But every cell in my body is rejecting what I’m hearing.

You love me, Villainess. You belong to me.

How thefuckdoes he know Galina is Villainess?

She's clutching the back of my shirt, her throat hitching like she can’t catch her breath. I reach back with one hand, tangling my fingers with hers and squeezing hard.

“It’s…it’sme, Villainess,” Nacho chokes. “Your biggest fan! I’ve bought you presents! I’ve defended you against all the creeps who didn’t deserve you!”

Galina grips my fingers tighter.

“It’s me, my love!” he blurts. “Mr.Villainess!”

Galina’s hand clenches mine so tightly that I grit my teeth.

The gun wavers in Nacho’s grip as he reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a small bottle of whiskey and takes a sip from it.

Great. He’s not just holding a gun and clearly emotional. He’s drunk, too.

Nacho takes another drink, then shoves the bottle back in his jacket pocket.

Suddenly, his bleary eyes narrow on me.

“You,” he seethes, baring his teeth. “I thought you were my friend, Lochlan.”