Hell is empty and all the devils are here…
including you, bitch.
Something jumped at me from my left and I flinched, letting out a bloodcurdling scream.
CHAPTER 4
New Neighbour
Hunter
Despite the soreness in my muscles from an entire afternoon of moving, a sense of satisfaction roamed through me when I glanced at my new place from the entryway. After a year of studying at Vesta University, the long commute finally got the best of me and I decided it was time to move out of my parents’ home and find a place closer to campus.
Josh, my best friend and teammate on the football team, helped me set up over the last few hours, hauling boxes and building furniture until we were both exhausted.
“Hunt, come over here!” Josh called out from the kitchen.
I padded over to find him putting his phone back in his pocket and pouring Irish whiskey in two crystal tumblers.
“The whiskey is from me,” he said. “And the glasses are from Layla. A little housewarming gift for you.”
“Thanks.” I slapped him on the back. “I appreciate it.”
He inched a glass my way and we clinked our drinks together. “Cheers.”
The whiskey was smooth, with gentle hints of oak and caramel.
“So what do you think of this place?” Josh asked after his sip.
Though most of my furniture was here, the place would feel more like a home once I started living in it. “It’s great. I can’t thank you enough, man.”
Josh’s family owned the building. If anyone asked, the Remingtons were strait-laced businessmen hailing from South Side, Montardor. However, those who actually conducted business with them were well aware that Vance Remington—Josh’s dad—was a notorious kingpin and the leader of their criminal empire. They were the ones who got me the hookup for this apartment.
In fact, Josh insisted I move into this particular complex, on this floor, and in this unit.
“No problem. That’s what friends are for.” His brown eyes sparked with mischief and he grinned wickedly. “Now that you’re settled in, want to tell me what really happened last night between you and Gabby?”
The mahogany cabinets in my kitchen suddenly intrigued me. I pretended to evaluate them as if I hadn’t already done so before signing the lease. All to avoid Josh’s gaze. “What do you mean?” I feigned ignorance. “I told you I bumped into her at the party. That’s it.”
Josh chuckled and ran his fingers through his dark brown hair. “Yeah, right. You’re full of shit. Shaun texted the group chat a minute ago that he actually caught you making out with Gabby last night.”
Guess it was bound to get out eventually. Especially when we kissed in such a public setting. I palmed the nape of my neck and relented, saying, “Fine, that did happen.”
“Hallelujah!” Josh praised. “You finally made a move. I feel like a proud dad!”
I smirked and shook my head. “Don’t get too excited. We only kissed because she was trying to get back at her ex. She was quick to leave once she got her revenge.”
Part of me was still irked about that—that she couldn’t be bothered to stick around long enough for us to share another drink, another conversation, or fuck, even another kiss. Mymind was completely hazy after the feel of her lips against mine. My obsession fed, all I wanted was more, more, andmore. I was completely smitten with Gabriela and the way she ran away almost cheapened our moment on the dance floor.
Worry coalesced into a lump in my throat. What if she didn’t like the way I kissed?
Or worse, what if she regretted it?
“Who’s her ex?” Josh’s brows furrowed. “Don’t think I recall Layla telling me Gabby was seeing anyone recently.”
Before I could tell him about Tom, a feminine shrill had us flinching and cursing in our spots.
“What the hell was that?” Josh spat, our shocked expressions mirroring each other.
