Page 244 of The Villain We Tempt

“What do you want, Nacho” I growl.

His mouth twists cruelly. “I want you to know what it’s like to beless, Lochlan. I want you to know what it feels like to be a mere fucking mortal like the rest of us.” His eyes narrow at me. “I want you toobey me, Lochlan.”

I immediately shatter the look of triumph on his face when I laugh coldly.

“What, you gonna blackmail me or something, Nacho?” I snicker and roll my eyes. “Fine, go nuts. I don’t?—”

My mouth snaps shut when I see his gaze slip to Galina. My heart twists at the look of horror on her white face.

Ican survive being outed as The Ghost Prince. I mean, it’ll be embarrassing as fuck, and Achilles, Drago, and my brother will have afield daywith it, maybe forever.

But it won’t break me.

This getting outwillbreak Galina, though. She’s so careful to separate her real life from her Villainess one. And it’s not because she’s embarrassed by what she does in her videos, it's because she’s being completely open. I doubt any of her fans even realize it, but they’re getting the totally honest and uncensored Galina when they watch her content.

If this gets out, it will mean the destruction of her sanctum. The removal of the place where she can just…be herself.

Andthatwill destroy her.

I take a slow breath and level my gaze at Nacho. “What do youwant.”

His cold smile spreads wider. “I want to give your fans what they desperately need.” His eyes gleam as he grins viciously. “I want to give them the unmasking they so richly deserve, so they can gaze upon your pretty face, Lochlan.”

My pulse skips.

“What Iwantis for you to go get your mask. And then you're going to come back with it, and we’re going to livestream your big reveal.”

He reaches into his pocket, pulls out a black plastic disc, and tosses it to me.

“You’re familiar with Smart-Tags, aren’t you, Lochlan?” Nacho hisses. “But of course you are. You used them to stalkmy girl.”

I glance down at the tracker in my hand.

“That’s the newest model,” he continues. “Got a mic on it and everything.” He levels a poisonous look at me. “You’re gonna put that in your pocket, run to Kingsward like a good boy, get your Ghost mask, and come right back here. Go nowhere else. Don’t dally. And don’t talk to a single fucking person, or I’ll know.” He shakes his head. “Don’t test me on this, Lochlan. Remember who will be here with me while you’redoing what you’re told.”

Again, I don’t fucking care. He can show my face to my fans. I don’t give a shit. But I do give a shit about leaving Galina with this fuckingpsycho.

“I’m not leaving her with?—”

“Yes, Lochlan,” he snaps. “Youare. You have ten minutes to be back?—”

“My mask isn’t at Kingsward,” I growl. “It’s in a place I have downtown, near the docks.”

He sighs and rolls his eyes. “Do I look like I’m playing fucking games with?—

“He’s telling the truth,” Galina chokes out in a small voice. “It’s a little building on the old pier. I’ve… I’ve been there.” Hereyes dart to mine, wide and scared as they hold my gaze for a moment. “That’s where he keeps all of his Ghost stuff.”

Nacho’s jaw works as he looks between Galina and me, trying to decide if he believes us.

“Fine,” he finally spits. “Go. You have fifteen minutes.”

I stare at him. “The docks and back is close to four miles, Nacho.”

He sneers. “Good thing you’re such astarfootball player, then, isn’t it.”

I shake my head. “No, but four miles in fifteen minutes would be —”

“No bullshit, Lochlan,” he hisses. “I want you to do as you’re tol?—”