Chapter 29 — Malik’s Confession

Vanessa’s POV:

Vanessa shook the gun and banged it against her palm. “It’s empty.”

Rylie furrowed her brows, “They’re not supposed to be empty. Ever.”

“If it’s empty, I can’t shoot it, and if I can’t shoot it, I can’t do what they want.”

“I don’t know V something doesn’t sit right with me.”

“It doesn’t for me either, but I wonder if they’re aware of the fact they gave me an empty gun.”

Rylie nibbled her bottom lip, “I don’t know…if they want you to kill Malik, why give you a gun that makes the task impossible?”

“Do you know where they are?”

Rylie sighed and nodded, “I do, but if we go there, we’re taking Byron back with us.”

“As much as I would love to do that, I don’t see how that makes sense to do right now. We have to be smart about this. I want to save my brother, but I want to do so without hurting Malik too.”

“Let me see that weapon again.” Rylie said, holding her hand out for it. Vanessa gave it to Rylie, and she examined it. “This isn’t your gun.”

“No, it belonged to my ancestor Katrina.”

Rylie gave it back to her, “It’s not going to work for you. I can’t believe a detail like this would slip right by them.”

“What do you mean? Alfred said that I needed to use this to finish off the Cromwell line.”

Rylie shook her head, “Lillian taught me everything I needed to know about being a hunter. She said that when a hunter is awakened, they have to be given a gun specifically for them. No other hunter can use it.”

Vanessa shook her head in confusion, “So what do I do?”

Rylie smiled, “Let me hold onto this for now. You need to go get ready to see Malik at Lust. And I’m borrowing an outfit so we can get ready together.”

Vanessa and Rylie headed back to the manor which still had no Malik. She went into the room and picked up the outfit, “It’s a little…”

“Sexy?” Rylie mused.

“How do I even put a blouse like this on?”

Rylie chuckled, “And this is why I’m here.” She came up to Vanessa and helped her into the shiny magenta side strapped blouse. “Oh girlfriend, this color makes your hair color and eyes POP!” she exclaimed. “Malik must really know what looks good on you. Or in this case, what he wants to peel off you.”

“Rylie!” Vanessa smacked her arm.

“You’re not a virgin anymore so give up the prude.” Rylie retorted as she smacked Vanessa’s arm.

“I’m not a prude, this is still just new to me.”

“Okay, I’ll give you that.” Rylie relented.

Rylie looked over Vanessa as she slid on the black leggings that the blouse hung over. She insisted she do her makeup as well to match the outfit. Rylie managed to give Vanessa a hot pink and black smokey eyes, and a clear, shiny lip gloss so as not to draw away from her eyes. They got in the limo Malik had sent and stepped inside Lust. Rylie and Vanessa made their way to the bar, Rylie went for a Sex on the Beach and for Vanessa, a pina colada.

Vanessa spotted Malik out of the corner of her eyes and held a hand to her stomach as if it would calm the butterflies fluttering in her belly. He was looking all business with his black blazer and dark blue tee shirt, slacks, and loafers. He walked up to her, looking at her as though she were an angel sent to give him mercy for everything he did wrong in his life. “You came…” his voice was soft, yet surprised.

“What made you think I wouldn’t?” Vanessa asked as she took a swig of her cocktail.

Malik slid into the barstool next to her, “I find with you, I never know what to expect.”

“Did you expect me to wear the outfit?”

“Honestly, no. But I’d like to point out that blouse brings out your eyes and don’t even get me started on the way that delicious ass looks in those leggings.” He winked.

Vanessa should have smacked him, instead his compliments made her feel sexy herself. Her cheeks flushed as heat rose to them and Malik turned to Rylie, “Help yourself to anything you want in the club. If you don’t mind, I’d like to steal Miss Owens from you.”

Rylie waved her hand at them, “Go on, go have fun! I’ll gladly take you up on that offer!”

Malik nodded and took Vanessa’s hand, tugging her through the crowd and onto the dance floor. He pulled her into his arms as a slow song started. He swayed with her, and she easily fell into rhythm with him. He held her closely, intimately. “It’s strange to think the last time I had you with me on this floor, you ran off.”

“You remember why I ran off?”

Malik looked down at her, “I remember everything. I want to tell you tonight how sorry I am for the ignorant words I spoke to you. How wrong I’ve been about you.”

Vanessa’s heart swelled with adoration for him. Since the beginning, Malik had always been so distant and cold. Yet with her, he seemed more grounded. An apology was the last thing she expected from him, and somehow it didn’t surprise her at the same time. “I forgive you, Malik.”

He blew out a sigh of relief as though a burden had been lifted. “Thank you.” He smiled and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.

“Thank you…for the white rose.”

Malik flashed a side smirk, “You’re welcome.”

“I just have one question.”

“Ask me anything.”

“Why did you refer to me as a white rose in your note?”

Malik shrugged, “I’ve been calling you my white rose in my head for a while now.”

“Oh?”

“You know why smelling shit is referred to as a rose garden sometimes?”

Vanessa giggled, “Um, yeah?”

“You’re like a white rose that’s been planted in a pile of crap, and somehow you came out of everything this pure, beautiful soul. I think…I think I might be in love with you Vanessa.”