Page 40 of Fatal Scheme

“Spoiled brats, just like I said. Vanessa is the one with the bleach blonde hair, and even though she’s the oldest, she’s the biggest baby. Alivia has the natural dark hair, and she’s a tough girl, never backing down from shoving her opinion in your face,” he explains, and I race to soak it all in, not wanting to make a fool of myself in front of the whole family.

“This hardly qualifies as a tour, ya know,” I snark, slowing down and snatching my wrist from his hand, not comfortable with how quick everything is moving.

It feels like someone pressed the fast forward button, causing everything to rush by at an accelerated pace, and I need a few seconds to just breathe.

“I’m sorry, Carter. I already went a round with my father and I … just wanted a minute with you. Can I show you something, when you’re ready?” He asks, respecting my space as I slowly sip the wine in my hand, readjusting to the present moment.

Holding my hand out to his, I signal that I’m alright, and he smiles like a little boy, pleased that I’ve agreed to accompany him.

His mom was right, he does have a soft side, and ever so slowly, he’s been revealing those parts of himself to me.

At first, I was convinced he was just an idiot mafia prince with no depth, but ever since the moment we kissed, I was opened up to a whole different Jasper, and it’s what’s kept me alongside him, brought me to this exact place and time.

“This is our base. My father prefers to keep things close, so this is where we store our weapons.” He punches in a few numbers on a keypad, sliding the wooden hideaway door as another metal one swings open, exactly like something you’d see in a movie.

As I step inside, the walls are lined with different guns, rifles, and various attachments to go with them.

You could easily supply a small army with the stock in this room, and I can’t help but stare in awe at the sheer amount of firepower before me.

“Wow,” I breathe, nearly jumping as the door clicks shut behind us, locking us in a certified war room.

“This cabinet is my personal favorite,” he says, leading me toward the back wall and opening the stainless steel doors to reveal the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

There are rows upon rows of blades in all kinds of styles, shapes and sizes. Some are bigger than mine, perfectly sharpened and glistening under the light, almost like they’re begging to be used.

Most of them are just my cup of tea, small and easy to conceal, but before I can marvel, Jasper reaches around me, digging until he pulls something out from the bottom of the pile.

“A butterfly,” he breathes against my neck, sending goosebumps straight down my spine as I reach for the knife in his hand.

“It’s incredible.” I brush my fingers along the blade, pressing just hard enough to draw blood and watching as a thick droplet rolls toward my palm.

Jasper reacts just as I thought he would, immediately grabbing my hand and licking it clean, a roaring fire behind his icy eyes.

“It’s all yours, my delicious little temptress,” he says, his voice falling down a few octaves as he swipes his tongue along his lips, ensuring he tastes every drop of my blood.

“What else is all mine?” I ask, my words barely above a whisper as I spin around, looking into his eyes as I hold his hand in mine, and the blade in the other.

“Anything you want, Principessina. Absolutely anything.” He tilts my chin, moving closer until our lips are inches apart, but I catch him off guard, a pain-ridden smile breaking across his face.

Breaking eye contact first, I look down at my work, the slice cutting across his palm and my breathing slows at the gush of crimson liquid flowing over his skin.

“Go ahead, I know you want to,” he teases, and I don’t need further permission, darting my tongue across his hand, the twinge of metallic immediately delighting my tastebuds.

I’m practically salivating, partaking in one of the highest highs I could possibly chase, and Jasper notices, his clean hand brushing along my cheek.

“Somehow, I just knew you were into this shit, Principessina. Look at you, all hot and bothered from a few drops of blood.” He parts my lips with his finger, swirling it around my tongue as his blood mixes with my saliva, my knees buckling as he slips in a second. “Fuck, you are my perfect girl.”

My eyes flutter shut as he pulls his hand from my mouth, lowering it until he reaches the exposed skin on my chest.

“Jasper,” I breathe, unsure of what I want, but knowing whatever this moment is, it’s overwhelming in the best of ways.

“Should I mark you up? Draw pretty pictures on your skin so everyone knows that you’re just as deviant as I am? Or maybe I’ll stain you somewhere nobody else can see, something that’s only for the two of us?” He rambles as if he’s talking to himself, and before a word can leave my lips, he unzips my dress, my black lace bra on full display.

“Wait, what if someone comes in?” I ask, suddenly remembering that we’re in his parent’s house, and aren’t granted a shred of privacy.

“You know I love an audience,” he smirks, looking up at me as he sinks to his knees, spreading my bra until my breasts are fully exposed.

Stumbling backward at his touch, my body catches against the cabinet as he paints my nipples with his blood, tweaking and pinching them into perfect peaks as he stains the surrounding skin.