The temptation of my brother-in-law-Chapter 83 - eighty three

Chapter Eighty-Three

Alicia’s POV

After my confrontation with Sasha, I went to my room to rest. My feet still ached from the dance practice and I was emotionally drained. But after lying down for a while, I started worrying about Sophie.

I hadn’t seen her since this morning. She should be back from school by now.

I got up and walked to her room, knocking softly. "Sophie?"

No answer.

I opened the door and found the room empty. Her backpack was on the bed, homework half done on her desk, but no Sophie.

A small flutter of worry went through me. I went back into the hallway and found one of the maids.

"Have you seen Sophie?"

"Yes, Miss Alicia. She’s downstairs in the living room with Mr. Malachi."

I was shocked. Malachi was back? And he was with Sophie?

The worry transformed into curiosity. And something warm. The fact that he was spending time with my sister meant something.

I headed downstairs quickly. As I got closer to the living room, I heard their voices.

"Okay, final round," Malachi was saying. "Drowning."

My steps slowed. What were they talking about?

"Drowning but in a way where they breathe in water slowly over hours," Sophie’s voice answered. "Like waterboarding but worse. So they know it’s coming and can’t stop it."

I froze at the doorway. What the hell?

"That’s horrifying," Malachi said, but there was approval in his voice.

"I win!" Sophie laughed.

I walked into the room. Both of them looked up at me. Sophie’s face was bright with excitement. Malachi’s expression was unreadable as always.

"What are you two doing?" I asked carefully.

"Playing the deadly game!" Sophie said happily. "Malachi is really good at it."

"I can hear that."

Malachi’s eyes met mine. There was amusement there. And something darker. "Want to watch us play another round?"

I should have said no. Should have told Sophie it was time for homework or dinner or literally anything else.

But I found myself sitting down on the chair across from them. "Sure."

"Your turn to start," Sophie told Malachi.

He thought for a moment, his eyes never leaving mine. "Burning someone alive."

"Burning them alive but starting with their feet so they feel everything and it takes longer," Sophie responded immediately.

My stomach twisted. This was worse than I thought.

"Suffocation?" Malachi continued.

"Suffocation but with something that makes them hallucinate first. So they don’t know what’s real when they die."

Where was she getting these ideas?

"Buried alive," Malachi said.

"Buried alive in a box with holes just big enough to let in insects. So the insects eat them while they’re still conscious."

I felt genuine fear creeping up my spine. Not fear of them, exactly. But fear of how easily they talked about these horrible things. How creative they were with methods of death.

This wasn’t normal. This wasn’t the kind of game children should be playing.

Even if Sophie was just thinking of them as puzzles, even if she said she’d never hurt anyone, hearing her describe these things so casually was disturbing.

"Okay," I said, standing up abruptly. "That’s enough for tonight. Sophie, it’s time to get ready for bed."

"But Alicia—"

"Now, Sophie."

Something in my voice made her comply. She got up from the couch, hugged Malachi goodnight, and headed upstairs.

I followed her, needing to put some distance between me and that conversation. Helped her change into pajamas. Checked her homework. Tucked her into bed.

"Did I do something wrong?" Sophie asked quietly. "You seem upset."

"No, sweetheart. You didn’t do anything wrong. I just think maybe we should find some lighter games to play. Okay?"

"Okay." She yawned. "Goodnight, Alicia."

"Goodnight, Sophie."

I kissed her forehead and left the room, closing the door softly behind me.

When I went back downstairs, Malachi was still in the living room. Waiting for me.

"That was disturbing," I said.

"She’s a smart kid."

"She’s a kid who shouldn’t be thinking about ways to kill people."

"Better she understands how cruel the world can be. Better she’s prepared."

I wanted to argue. Wanted to tell him that children should be protected from darkness, not educated in it.

But I also knew he wasn’t entirely wrong. Sophie had already seen so much. Maybe knowing how bad things could be would help her avoid them.

"Want to play a game?" Malachi asked suddenly.

"What? No. I’m tired."

"Come on. Just one round."

"What kind of game?"

His eyes darkened with something predatory. "A different kind. For every answer you get wrong, you kiss me."

Heat flooded through me. "That’s not a game. That’s just you trying to kiss me."

"Is it working?"

"I’m going to bed."

I turned to leave but he was faster. His hand caught my wrist, pulling me back toward him. I stumbled and he caught me against his chest.

"Malachi—"

He kissed me. Deep and possessive. His hand tangled in my silver hair, holding me in place while his mouth claimed mine.

I should have pushed him away. Should have reminded him we were in the living room where anyone could walk in.

But I melted into him instead. Kissed him back with the same desperate hunger. Let myself forget everything except this moment.

When he finally pulled back, we were both breathing hard.

"You didn’t answer my question," he murmured against my lips.

"What question?"

"Whether it’s working."

"You’re impossible."

"Is that a yes?"

I wanted to stay. Wanted to keep kissing him. Wanted to forget about deadly games and anniversary parties and all the complicated mess our lives had become.

But reality was creeping back in. We were in the living room. Anyone could see us.

"I really am tired," I said quietly. "Today was exhausting."

Something shifted in his expression. The predatory heat cooled into something softer. Concerned.

"Then go sleep," he said, releasing me. "Rest."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that." He touched my face gently. "I can wait."

The tenderness in the gesture made my chest ache. This man who could be so dark and dangerous could also be so gentle with me.

"Goodnight, Malachi."

"Goodnight, little bird."

I walked away, feeling his eyes on me the entire time. When I reached the stairs, I looked back once.

He was still standing there. Watching me. That intensity that never quite faded.

I climbed the stairs to my room, my lips still tingling from his kiss. My heart still racing from his proximity.

Tomorrow was the anniversary party. Tomorrow I’d have to dance with Travis and pretend we were a happy couple.

But tonight, I’d let myself think about Malachi. About the way he kissed me. About the way he looked at me like I was his entire world.

Even if it was dangerous. Even if it was wrong.