I can hear all three of our breaths, feel the tension in the air. Though it seems the tension is only coming from me.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Vh2jpmxhE
Malachi looks as if he's eat up every bit of this, happy to be here and a part of whatever this is. Maverick is sitting there as if he did just say the craziest thing in the world, laid back and expressionlessly studying me.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDif4k0bwr
Maverick's words don't hit me like I'd think they would. Fear doesn't manifest inside me. My palms aren't getting sweaty, I'm not getting nervous.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlZG6UAEVx
I'm more so...
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rGOpHQvN2
Shocked.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBudQesUHVs
Sitting before me, his face has completely changed from what I've known all our lives. Now he appears cold, indifferent...calculated. The Maverick I know would never, could never do something like this.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ375c9gqTqG
"What happened to make you have to tell me?" I find myself asking more calm than I could imagine.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNuGwak4Gs
Malachi glances over at Maverick, eyebrows raised.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazgJzjkpyw
Maverick looks as if he's stepped out of his body and allowed someone else to step in, not hesitating to answer me with something so horrific.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoJOFf8g6z
"Kennedy."
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGu6D3Qg0zx
The one word really said a thousand. It doesn't take a genius to put two and two together when that's the answer you're given.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaafL3ji8yZ
Images of Kennedy, all of our memories together, flash through my mind; the good and bad ones. But I don't feel the normal feelings that come along with losing someone you were so close to; I feel more interested in Maverick and Malachi's roles than Kennedy being gone.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1iZMsxPlV
"You...killed...Kennedy..." my words come slow and drawn out, not really knowing how to react.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQa3uvhECuZ
"Yes." Maverick simply states.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTSGblftT2
I can't help but to notice Maverick's nervousness leading up to this reveal, then the loss of nervousness now. I've never seen him to carefree, light, like there's nothing weighing him down. He's completely in his element.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPY72Jx4VQ6
Why does he look so sexy?
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwbo8RRuoj
The drugs must be kicking in.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfw2iETIXM
"Why?"
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7dHqrIp2M
Malachi and Maverick, as if in sync with one another, pick up their glasses and take a long drink unison, setting them down as one.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZTfhsV8eT
"Did Kennedy ever talk about a man named Cash?" Malachi chimes in.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZeHkXRuQM
I shake my head, face twisting in confusion. "No. Who's Cash?"
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQfHguXYQx
"He was one of our jobs." Maverick explains.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHqcwMgWJD
Their next kill.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2wNCQ0EA7
"Apparently Kennedy was spending time with him." Malachi adds.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7a4J2fpyF
"We didn't know that." Maverick continues.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkBkwsJJ3U
"We were surprised to see her there when we walked in." Malachi then takes another drink. "Her car wasn't in the driveway. They had been sneaking around so Cash must've picked her up."
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6rzMMEQ3L
Maverick's fingers finally slow their tapping on the armrest. "We had already busted his door down. We had to kill Cash."
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVVptgWuFg
"Needless to say..." Malachi's lips turn upwards slightly.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEczXHDEFnG
"We had to kill Kennedy too." Maverick finishes.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXP7V7SWXsQ
If I wasn't high, maybe my mind would be spinning, spiraling after all that information at once. But I just look between the two men, as if making sure they aren't fucking with me. Given their steady gazes, Malachi's satisfied smile, and Maverick's nonchalance about this...it doesn't seem like they're playing a joke.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMllwSvyIV
This feels like a fever dream, like an out of body experience. Things like this don't just happen. It's not every day that your best friend and his partner admit their murderers and not only that, but they've killed your friend too.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvskkFKP8Sv
Worst part about this is the dirtiness and guilt I feel for not having the correct emotions about it.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0X7oDT8k0f
Dare I admit...
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDe4wZFeF0
That it may excite me a little?
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PZ3EYm8SM
I'm just high. That's all it is.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv96NCiYGq7
"I don't know what you guys want me to say." I admit, mind blank.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYx5gfo9nm
Maverick and Malachi exchange a glance, sharing some mental message.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU82BU2His6
"It's okay to admit if this doesn't bother you, Lilliana." Malachi reassures me. "It's okay to be interested for what one would call the wrong reasons. We can see your wheels turning."
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBorbiYNMV7
My body heats up in embarrassment, caught when trying to hide what's happening to me internally. I'm sure my cheeks are a shade of pink, averting my gaze to the table top.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnoAjuCRoW
"How did you kill her?"
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2S3h3eY698
"Gun." Maverick gives a one word answer.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLmITOd82P
"Quick and easy death." Malachi says.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCVKoCMusF
"This doesn't change your mind about me, Lilliana?" Maverick asks.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOYplXMnO3
My instincts tell me no, that it doesn't change my mind. I'm not scared of Maverick, not angry with him. I don't have the urge to run away, to figure out the best moment to tell someone I know what happened to Kennedy.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIMkktFxFh
I'm more worried about the possibility of Maverick getting caught, arrested and locked up for the rest of his life. Selfishly, I don't want Maverick out of my life, no matter what he's doing while he's in it...even if it's taking human lives.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyicCWDZ7qz
To put it brutally and bluntly; I'd rather people die than him be taken away from me.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡremzSBmtdG
"There's gotta be something wrong with me." I shake my head, pushing my hair out of my face. "Is there something wrong with me?"
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6xigiw8bC
"Kennedy was right." Malachi tells Maverick, draping an arm over the back of his own chair and leaning to the side. "What makes Maverick happy, makes you happy as well..." he directs his words towards me now. "You are crazy, Lilliana...and I think Maverick's level of satisfaction with life is most important to you. And that trumps being upset over the fact he's killed your friend...and many others."
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwCO5LhKl4
Our happiness...that's what's most important.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBj5QJiV1nW
"How many others?" I hear myself ask, not sure if I even want to know the answer to that.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAxjtJ0Q36
Maverick is confident in his answer, eyes not moving from mine and face not changing.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwp2cKwjVti
"Nineteen."
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgFRGxXMHp
"You're a fucking serial killer!" I whisper yell as if anyone else is around us.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAa8UtqKEWE
Maverick, after expressing zero emotion since we all sat down, smirks softly. "Say that again, Lilliana."
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJYQp8fEmK
The raspiness of his voice, the darkness in his stare, the control he's exuding is drawing me even more to him.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXSvevfZNn
Am I seriously getting turned on right now?
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVxj73MFdw
Snatching up my glass and chugging the shots, I make a sour face as I set the glass down and stand at the same time. "I need to use the bathroom." I tell them abruptly.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJzW8y6oHc
"Straight down the hall, to your right." Malachi gives me directions as I fast walk out, fighting the urge to literally sprint away from the dining room.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuZxFGhX5F
None of this is fucking me up. I don't need to sob, don't need to panic.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JBrQHojwR
I brace my hands against the sink, taking in a deep breath before letting it out slowly.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGtOnvSMIA
The insane amount of attraction I'm having towards Maverick is what's fucking me up. I can't breathe when he's watching me like that but it's not in a negative way. It's overpowering, all consuming, and I'm enjoying it so much that it's freaking me out.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtiJGeUjBf
Standing up and excusing myself makes me realize just how high I am or I'm just now fully feeling the effects of it. My mind begins to wind down and my body gets that warm fuzzy sensation.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQ9LUeJQwf
Once I've relaxed enough to face the men again, I exit the bathroom.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhsSwfJHqP
I thought I'd have a moment more of preparation, from the bathroom back to the dining room but I nearly jump out of my skin as I turn to start down the hall again.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwCRuNqFYU
Maverick stands facing me, in the middle of the hallway with his hands in his pockets and a mischievous gleam in his eye.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AApskQ4Sc
"You alright, Lilliana?" He asks, cocking his head to the side.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5ab9ie1oJ
I nod, maybe a little too quickly, shrugging my shoulder and tossing a hand on my hip. "Yeah. Why?"
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvQ6HvUf2X
He gives me an amused one over. "I was just thinking that there could actually be something wrong with you..."
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6scYhPGEr
"Huh?" I make the sound dumbly, as if I'm not following but I am, apparently it's just in my head.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyF7lGjxVVg
"Well..." Maverick short, leisured steps lead him towards me. The closer he gets, the faster my heart beats. "It's rather sickening..." He stops stand right in front of me. "How much I've turned you on, Lilliana."
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrlwfX3hEk
My breath hitches in my throat, eyes widening slightly and eyebrows raising.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF88wQgEOaY
"I turned you on before." He reminds me, smirk turning into a grin. "But this has sent you over the edge...and I'm just dying to know, Lilli..."
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoF7xahH99m
The hairs on my arms raise at the sound of my nickname, which he rarely ever uses.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgSajg0wph
"What part about all this excites you the most?" He taunts, licking his lips at his own ideas. "Is it the hiding in plain sight? Maybe it's the control you've now gained over others by having Malachi and I around..."
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Wtr8aXp3z
Maverick pauses.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiW9i3zwZKr
"Or could it be the thrill of knowing there will always be a possibility that I could kill you too?"
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIzHAJCs9m
I know I should be backing away, finding the easiest way out after hearing him talk about killing me...but instead I bite my bottom lip, fighting my urges.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTmVJiTp9p
But why should I have to fight them now? Everything is already fucked up after what they've revealed tonight. The rules about anything and everything are officially thrown out the window. Life will inevitably be different after this.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0LGbLYlNJ
The possibility of him killing people ruining our relationship is much larger than it is if we hooked up.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fH6S1rqp1
"Tell me, Lilliana." Maverick presses further, almost completely closing the distance between us. His large, rough hand raises, tucking my hair behind my ear that I was intentionally hiding behind. "Does that excite you? Does it scare you?" His fingers play with the ends of my hair.
I swallow, having to force it down with a dry mouth and throat. "Both." My voice comes out hushed.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hVwv4N0h0
"You aren't running." His gaze travels over my face, down my body before meeting my eyes again. "You aren't shaking...you aren't that scared, Lilliana."
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HPK8BkmD7
I wet my lips. I might not be shaking but my entire being is vibrating in anticipation.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaK6WagF2Hp
This is far more intimate of a moment than any others we've had. It doesn't seem like he's wanting to hold back anymore either.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPFaUsqp1t
He might be on a power trip after Malachi and his speech, enveloped in control and high all at once. Maybe that's why he's taking things farther than usual. But right now, it doesn't really matter to me.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUmvknMUCc
All I know is that I want Maverick.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9E7D04encW
"I think I'm more excited than scared." I admit, caught up in this heated moment.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQpymTEo50
His lips twitch, almost smiling but not quite.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKFr5L0r1n
"I like that." He mumbles. "Now tell me this, Lilliana..." his hand leaves my hair, fingertips grazing down my left side before resting lazily on my hip. His touch is all I can focus on. "What do you want me to do?"
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2L9NR1UPA
I blink up at him, not understanding his question. "What do you mean?"
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5BUo0RInd
"Right now..." He puts emphasis on the words. "Would you like me to forget about our friendship?"
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3bxzTL990
What he's really asking is; 'Are you willing to risk it all?' The answer is yes. Our friendship, our depression, our co-dependency doesn't matter to me as we stand here facing each other.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrLTfBXoo7
"Yes."
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMy94YIvJD
It didn't take but a split second for Maverick's personality to change once again; going from laid back to incredibly primal.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKFJJK4khC
His free hand takes the back of my neck, cupping up and keeping my head angled up towards his. Lips slightly parted, my eyes drift to his lips that are slowly moving closer to mine.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBRMpqMXYI
My adrenaline is pumping and the suspense is killing me. Before I can tell my body not to, it acts on its own accord, closing the space between our lips completely.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLT2vYvlmWO
The deep, low groan he lets out as our lips connect makes me sink into him. As his left hand falls to find my other hip, my arms wrap around his neck.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEYjBXo6pW
He grips me tightly, pressing me against him and leaving no room for me to move.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PrIPVNNQ8
Maverick steps were slow, allowing me to follow his head as he guiding me backwards. Though when we get to the wall in the hallway, his presses me back against it forcefully, making my lips part as I gasp. He takes this opportunity to allow his tongue to enter, not asking for an invitation.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCTUiERnBC
Completely in tune with one another, as we always have been, our tongues dance together like they've done it a million times before.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGh4qACbDPv
It feels so right, unlike any other kisses I've had. There's never been any spark, no flutters, they felt pointless. You read about it, see it on television, but it never seemed realistic to me. Right now, with Maverick, the electricity between us, the butterflies the naturalness of this makes what people say undeniably true; it is possible to feel this way. Even for me.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fhaaWZHSh
With his right arm against the wall, supporting his weight, his left hand takes hold of my jaw. My lips are left cold as he breaks our kiss. His thumb on one cheek and other four fingers on the other cheek, he angles my head back and to the side.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvPmRzyqbz
My breaths come heavy and fast as his soft yet eager kisses find my jawline. They trail along it, leaving my skin to tingle as he moves to the next spot.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMPK7zZRSf
I begin to get impatient, letting my hands slide down his chest, stopping at his belt.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfhEk53vaN
His breaths fan my neck as his kisses move to the spot that's sure to make me weak in the knees.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEpu3flrR3
As soon as my fingers start to unbuckle his belt, his left hand flies down to hold it in place.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgsWxiWALG
"Easy." His hoarse voice says into my neck. "Although I'm enjoying how hungry you are for more..." he drops both his arms to his sides. "Not here."
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7Z8QSV7p7
I let my hands fall from him too, unable to hide the smile on my face as he takes a step back.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSsnNGUgTB
"Take a minute. We'll leave soon." Maverick instructs before walking back towards the dining room.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4KRAd8sZQ
I can't remember the last time I genuinely smiled.
ns216.73.216.8da2
