Body of the Crime (Blackest Gold Series Book 2)

by R. Scarlett

“No I don’t.” She balked, pulling her long hair free of its ponytail. The curls bounced free, framing her features.

  Stella rubbed Molly’s shoulders as if she were a boxer about to go into the ring. “You got this, okay? You guys will make up and have amazing sex and all will be forgotten.”

  Stella and Tina thought Molly and Tensley were fighting because she had flirted with another guy—not because she’d murdered one of his men. September knew what had really happened, and fully sided with Molly.

  Molly scowled at her reflection. “This is a bad, bad idea.”

  “No, positivity!” Stella shook her hard and went to gather her white wedges from the corner. “Put these on.”

  Molly sat down on the edge of her bed and slipped on the wedges, buttoning up the tie around her ankles. Her week had been a blur of keeping busy after saving Lex and Tensley finding out about Gabel. After they’d returned to Lance’s place, she hadn’t stayed long, not wanting to see him. Not then.

  She had worked and worked and worked until security kicked her out of the museum. Then she’d come back to the apartment and studied extra reading requirements coming up. Sleep wasn’t something she wanted; what she wanted was something unattainable, someone who was furious with her.

  Molly listened, wondering what it would be like to see Tensley again. Yes, she’d killed one of his friends, but that was before she knew what he was really like, back when her only experiences with demons included watching her father be assaulted by one and basically having her life stolen away because of a centuries-old contract. She wasn’t going to fight for Tensley’s forgiveness on this one—in her opinion, there was nothing to forgive.

  “You’re strong, Molly,” Tina said softly from her spot at the head of the bed. She’d been strangely quiet the entire visit, adding a few words here and there but mostly keeping to herself. “You’ve got this.”

  “Thanks Tina,” Molly said, studying her friend with concern.

  “Oh my god!” Stella squealed, looking out the open window. “He’s here.”

  Molly took a deep breath and stood beside her, locating Tensley where he leaned against a sleek black car, dressed in a navy suit.

  “Damn,” Stella said, biting her lip. “Go get him, tiger.”

  Molly’s heart raced as she gathered her luggage and sunhat. As she went to hug Tina, her gaze caught a blue smudge along her jawline. “Is that a bruise, Tina?”

  Tina’s back stiffened, but she smiled and wrapped her arms around Molly. “Yeah, I fell when I was drunk.”

  Molly wanted to believe her, but her gut said otherwise. She forced a smile back on her face and hugged the other two girls. As she wrapped her arms around Stella, she whispered in her ear, “Keep an eye on Tina.”

  Stella quirked a brow but nodded.

  “I’m not looking forward to this weekend,” Molly said as September helped her down the stairs.

  “Do me a favor, kick his ass if he says anything even remotely sassy.” September’s eyes gleamed as a wicked look crossed her sun-kissed features.

  “And I’ll make sure to kick him in the balls, too.”

  “That’s my girl!”

  Molly took a deep breath before stepping out into the humid August air, heavy with a late-summer heat wave. She made her way down the steps, all the while watching his stoic features for even a hint of emotion.

  She stopped in front of him, her luggage like an armor as she swallowed thickly. “Hi.”

  He didn’t speak, only scanned her slowly, as if he’d be able to see if she held a dangerous weapon beneath her clothes. She gathered she’d passed his inspection when he suddenly nodded toward the car’s. “Get in.”

  He pushed himself off the car and reached for her luggage, tossing it in the back seat as she climbed in the passenger’s side.

  He took off without a single word, and Molly’s nails dug into the black leather seats as Tensley maneuvered the car through the dense traffic of Manhattan.

  “How’s Lex?” Molly finally chirped to break the silence.

  “She’s getting better. Still sleeping a lot,” he said flatly.

  “That’s good.”

  The conversation ended there, and Molly distracted herself by watching the landscape change from cramped buildings and flashing lights to wide-open countryside.

  The setting orange sun peeked through the high grass and waves, giving birth to darkness.

  She watched him drive, his large hands gripping loosely around the steering wheel as they made their way down the highway.

  She cleared her throat after about an hour, and his hands tightened around the steering wheel. “So your whole family’s going to be there, too?”

  He checked his rearview mirror. “Everyone but Beau and the twins. Some members from Scorpios will be in attendance as well.”

  Her breath caught. “Do they know—”

  “They know nothing,” he growled. “And they’ll continue to know nothing as long as we act normal.”

  He pushed down on the pedal and the car jerked forward, weaving in and out of traffic as they raced along the highway.

  Molly slid farther down in her seat, the golden sunset highlighting his tense features in such a godlike display of physical perfection that she couldn’t look away.

  This man had poisoned her, and now she craved his venom.

  TENSLEY SAT STIFFLY in the idling car, staring at the saltbox summerhouse surrounded by manicured lawns and a brick circular drive with a fountain in the center.

  He hadn’t been back there in years, not since his days at boarding school when the boys spent their time off relaxing on the beach and partying at each other’s cottages.

  Tensley glanced over at the blonde vixen; she leaned back just enough to show off the outline of her breasts beneath the fabric of her baby blue dress, accentuating every curve. God, she tempted him even in her sleep.

  He was fucking ready to pull the car over and pounce on her. It didn’t help that he’d refused to take energy from any of the women who’d offered; he felt sick just touching another woman.

  He got up, pulled at his lapels to straighten his jacket, and marched around to the other side. He bent, opened the door, and leaned over her. Her sweet mouth formed a pout, softly murmuring in her dream world.

  “Molly,” he said. When she didn’t move, he nudged her arm. “Molly, wake up.”

  He cursed under his breath and bent lower. Her hair spilled to the side, exposing her bare neck, where he could see the shadow of his mark. She had been his, marked and claimed, and then she had destroyed that trust.

  Her lashes fluttered open and she smiled. “Hi.”

  “We’re here,” he said in a monotone, hating the way his chest tightened as Molly’s grin faded.

  She scrambled up on wobbly legs and scanned their surroundings, mouth falling open—the house was essentially a mansion, and was the only residence on that strip of beach for miles.

  “C’mon,” he ordered, heading up to the house.

  A few butlers waited at the entrance to take their luggage, and Molly’s quick footsteps clicked behind him as he crossed the threshold into the large estate.

  The house was crisp and clean, with subtle hints of its New England origins and heritage. White, gold, and black tones filled the front room, and a large painting of Duke Sallos was hung over the mantle. He was their family’s founding member, still lived at the High Court, and never felt the need to speak with his relatives.

  “Tensley, darling!” cried Mrs. Knight, descending the staircase to greet him. She was dressed in a simple black dress and immediately began smoothing down imaginary wrinkles in his suit after they embraced. “And this must be Miss Darling,” she continued, also gathering Molly into a hug. “It’s a pleasure to see you again, sweetie, and in much better circumstances. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

  Molly blinked, but managed to nod and smile. “Your home is beautiful, Mrs. Knight.”

  “You can call me Daphne,”
Mrs. Knight cooed, her massive diamond ring gleaming in the low light. “Tensley, your old bedroom’s set up already. Dinner’s in ten, so why don’t you come meet our guests?”

  Tensley stiffened. “They’re already here?”

  Her mother lifted a brow and nodded. “Yes, they arrived a day early. They’re in with your father right now, so perhaps you should go greet them while I show Molly to your room.”

  Tensley worked his jaw. “Fine.”

  He left, marching down the familiar hallways and sneering at every mirror he passed. He looked put together, but with a savage edge underlining his swift movements.

  He didn’t knock before entering his father’s office, and all those inside twisted in surprise at the intrusion.

  Evelyn Rose sat on the sofa and flicked her wrist in greeting as she re-crossed her legs. He hadn’t expected to see her, but she probably had some excuse to be present regarding the takeover of her father’s position.

  Fitz Junior nodded at his arrival, and Tensley already couldn’t wait to be done with the deal.

  “Tensley,” Mr. Knight said, his heavy brows lowering. “Sit.”

  Tensley scanned the polished oak table, eyeing his rivals as he did so.

  Fitz Senior’s shock of white hair had been gelled to the side, and he drummed his thick fingers on the table. “The daemon?”

  Tensley did his best to appear relaxed. “She’s freshening up before dinner.”

  Both Fitzes nodded, glancing at one another.

  “Back to this deal,” Fitz Senior said, idly swirling his glass of rum. “We would give you our land, and you would absorb us and our men into Scorpios?”

  “You would live well,” Mr. Knight said. “All debts would be paid off, and your men would work alongside ours. You would be a part of a powerful division unlike anything seen before—Tensley will be invincible with his bride. We can offer you and your people protection from the hunters.”

  The room was silent, but an energy stirred loud and violent between the men.

  Fitz Senior squinted at Tensley. “How powerful does she make you?” Tensley noted the lust of power in the old man’s eyes, wondered if that’s how he himself looked when he thought about Molly.

  After their last intimate moment, he still felt her for days after, like an ache in his bones that wouldn’t go away. She vibrated inside him, in his skin, in his cock, in his DNA. He had thought of her words over and over again. She had fought to protect herself, not to viciously murder Gabel—but his people came first. He needed to protect them and protect Molly.

  “Too powerful,” he said tersely, raising his chin to peer down at them.

  She was addictive though, and addictive meant loss of control, of keeping himself in check. His fingers had ached to reach out and smooth across her soft thigh in the car, or to simply hold her delicate hand—the same hand that could crush him if she desired.

  She wasn’t weak. She was a storm, a fucking hurricane that had twisted his insides and made the once forgotten, frozen organ thud. Over and over again for her.

  That little siren had cursed him to crave her, cursed him to cave under her powerful, riveting eyes and her brave heart and complex mind.

  He wasn’t falling for it ever again. He had been tossed into a current and was now climbing out, drenched and cold and beaten, but alive.

  Without her.

  He’d die starving for her.

  Remember who you are, Tensley fucking Knight: a cruel, ruthless demon.

  His lip quirked. “Shall we dine?”

  MOLLY STARED AT Tensley’s old room, one obviously decorated by his mother. The walls were painted a nautical navy blue, and everything else was white—the sheets, the pillowcases, the bookcases filled with thick, worn books. She peeked inside an open door to see that they had their own private bathroom, one with off-white tiles and a large shower encased in glass.

  “Is there anything else I can get you now?” Mrs. Darling asked sweetly from the doorway.

  “No, thank you. I’m great,” Molly said, reciprocating Mrs. Darling’s pleasant tone with her own.

  “Mother!” a voice hollered from the hallway. “Dinner’s ready! They’re waiting and father’s about to pop a blood vessel—oh, you’re here.” Gabriella, dressed in a loose blue dress that did nothing to hide her round belly, appeared beside her mother and squinted at Molly.

  “Hello again,” Molly said primly.

  Gabriella eyed her summer dress and snickered. “Forgot to pack some essentials, I see.”

  “Gabriella,” her mother scolded. “Go get Chuck. Is Donovan asleep?”

  Gabriella tsked. “The nanny’s attempting to get him down, but he keeps demanding to see his Uncle Tensley. I told him it needs to wait until morning.”

  “My wife is so bossy,” a man teased as he joined Gabriella in the doorway, pushing his thick-rimmed glasses up his hawkish nose.

  Gabriella spun and pushed past him. “You prefer me bossy, Chuck.”

  Mrs. Knight waved at Molly to follow. “Come, sweetie, let’s grace the beasts with our presence.” She winked playfully and took Molly’s hand as they made their way down the large hallway, passing room after spacious room, and descended the wide marble staircase.

  Molly tensed as she entered the grand dining area complete with fine china and polished cutlery, where several guests were already seated in high-backed white chairs.

  An older man, perhaps in his mid-sixties, sat closest to Mr. Knight at the far end of the table, his white hair slicked back like an actor from the 1940s. Next to him was a man closer to Tensley’s age, just as proper and neat as the older gentleman but wearing an affable grin.

  Molly stilled as the only other female already seated faced her—Evelyn, Tensley’s ex-girlfriend. She grinned at Molly, teeth razor sharp and menacing.

  “May I introduce my son’s fiancée,” Mr. Knight said, standing to gesture in Molly’s direction. “The daemon, Molly Darling.”

  “Chuck,” she heard Gabriella hiss lowly to her husband, pointing to a free chair.

  Chuck hurriedly pulled it out and Gabriella waddled into it, cupping her belly as she sat.

  Mrs. Darling pressed her hand to Molly’s back and guided her forward to sit next to Tensley then joined her husband at the head.

  “She doesn’t look like a daemon,” Evelyn mused, loud enough for Molly to hear.

  “She is.” Tensley sat stiffly beside Molly and she noted how he still shied away from her.

  Evelyn hummed, but said nothing.

  Molly sucked at her teeth, weighing her options: make a scene now and shut them up, or risk waiting until it might be too late. She wasn’t a mouse with cats—she was a lioness.

  And they would hear her roar.

  She drew a shallow breath and relaxed her hands as a spark ran up her spine, tightening her muscles and prickling over scalp. The rush, the strength gathered immediately and she blinked, her eyes glowing bright as she met Evelyn’s stare.

  Evelyn’s mouth dropped.

  “A daemon she is,” the older man whispered, unable to look away.

  Molly blinked again, reining in her energy while she waited for her system to calm. Once she was back in control, she smiled at Evelyn. “Looks can be deceiving,” Molly said, taking a sip of her red wine.

  TENSLEY HID HIS smirk behind his crystal glass of rum. The entire meal, the Fitzes and Evelyn continued to steal awed glances at Molly—and if Evelyn wasn’t drilling a glare into Molly’s profile, she was fucking Tensley with her eyes.

  “I heard Scorpios has been experiencing problems with hunters also,” Fitz Senior said, cutting his steak so hard the knife screeched against his plate.

  Tensley looked at his father before taking a bite of his steak. “Yes.”

  “Men missing,” Fitz Senior continued. “I also heard a rumor you were captured yourself, Tensley.”

  Those sinister eyes latched onto Tensley.

  Tensley took his time answering and cleared his throat. “I’m here, ar
en’t I?”

  “Cree—that’s the name of their current leader, correct?” Fitz Senior hummed to himself as he took a large sip of his red wine. Tensley stiffened.

  “He’s dead, actually,” Tensley announced, voice clear and cold.

  Fitz Senior’s gaze sharpened noticeably. “Interesting,” he said, dragging out the word.

  “He was killed a week or so ago by his own hunters,” Tensley added, shrugging indifferently.

  Senior’s smirk was one to chill a man’s blood. “That’s even more interesting. I also heard he was driven by a hatred for our kind because Fallen killed his sister. Is that true?”

  Tensley speared an asparagus with his fork and decided it’d be best to keep his mouth shut.

  “Falling for a human,” Senior said and sighed. “It’s almost as twisted as your family having to deal with the burden of marrying a human.”

  “I’m not human,” Molly said and smiled sweetly at him as she cut her steak.

  Senior laughed loudly, too loudly, like he wanted to draw all the attention to him. “Ah, yes, but you still are the same threat to a demon as a human. Hm, you’re a sweet, sweet thing Miss Darling. With those eyes of yours, I’m sure you could hypnotize many of our kind. Reminds me of that rumor about the eldest Knight, Beau, I believe, and the woman he fell for. Do you happen to know the story of what happened to them?” When Molly stared back at him, that powerful unwavering gaze, he leaned forward. “You do, don’t you? The rumors must be true then,” he said as a slow smile wrinkled around his thin lips. His eyes found Tensley’s and stayed there, hard and cold. Those eyes saw too much and Tensley didn’t like it. Not one bit. “The Knights have a taste for the weaker race it seems.”

  Tensley gripped his thighs. The bastard knew. The bastard absolutely knew his brother had fallen for Cree’s sister and that they’d both ended up paying the ultimate price, knew about her death, that of their unborn child, and Beau’s loss of his heart.

  It was Tensley’s biggest fear.

  That Molly and him would end up just like them.

  Molly’s fingers wrapped around Tensley’s thigh almost as a reflex before he struck. His back had curved, his hands had fisted into steel, and his teeth flashed viciously as a warning.