And at the arena, I’ll wait.
I’m the monster. You’re the bait.
Xoxo,
Your Masked Valentine
“He wants me to meet him at the arena.” I reiterate the words to Kerrigan, like she’s not breathing down my neck, reading it for herself.
“Girl, go!” she encourages me.
Guilt weighs down my chest for the countless times I seem to be running off and abandoning her to steer the ship alone.
“Seriously. I know damn well you’d say the same thing if the roles were reversed.” She takes the card and shoves me toward the front door.
Holding the vase and card in one hand, she plucks mycoat from the rack and throws it at me before strolling off, snatching my purse from my desk, and walking back.
“Hurry up and get out of here.” She beams, her smile genuine and big. Everyone needs a best friend and business partner like her. “I can’twaitto hear about it.”
She practically kicks me out of the door, and I quickly get in my car, escaping the freezing weather outside. My seat is heated beneath my ass and back, and the car is warmed up and ready.
My phone vibrates, and I seeBateson the screen of my car. I grab my phone and read his message, ignoring the prompt from my car, offering to do it for me.
Bates: Time is ticking, baby. We’re on a schedule. Drive safe. See you soon.
What the hell is he up to?
I rack my brain, not getting any closer to a solid idea the entire duration of the drive.
Finding a spot in the empty garage is easy enough, and I gain entrance to the building with even less effort, discovering the door propped open with a rock.
The hallway is dark, and I feel incredibly uneasy as I step through. The door swings shut behind me, knocking the rock out of the way and sealing me in the unknown darkness.
I know where I’m at, even without being able to see. I’m in the looping hallway, the middle level that houses the main seating area around the arena.
My phone vibrates, and I nearly jump out of my skin, already on edge.
Bates: I see you, Little Cupid.
“What?” I murmur thoughtlessly, reading his message ten more times.
My chest tightens, excitement thrumming through me. Is he doing what I think he’s doing? No …
Bates: Can you feel me watching you? Stalking your every move?
No fucking way.
He’s got to be out of his goddamn mind, even more so than usual. What is he thinking?
Absolutely not. This is too risky.
My phone buzzes, and I check it again.
Bates: Happy Valentine’s Day, baby. Are you ready?
I’m not doing this. It’s such a bad idea! So many what-ifs …
Bates: Serena?
