“I know you’re good at running.I can tell you’ve been doing it for years.”He lights up another cigarette.“But eventually, Princess Bride, you’ll have to stop.”
Something twists in my chest.I don’t like that he sees me.That he’s reading between the lines of my silence.
“And when you do…” He bends closer, his growl dark and silken.“You’ll need someone.Might as well be me.”
My throat locks up.
No.I don’t need anyone.Not now.Not ever.
“Not in this lifetime, Wolfson.”I yank the rifle’s strap higher on my shoulder and resume walking, refusing to acknowledge how deep his words land.
“My friends call me Wolf.”
“I’m not your friend.”I turn sharply down a side street, my heart hammering.
I need to lose him.
The alleyways are empty and unlit, the buildings looming with places to hide.
At the next corner, I race ahead, zigzag around multiple turns, and duck behind a dumpster, pressing myself into the shadows, listening.
Nothing.
Good.Maybe he’s gone.
After several minutes of silence, I creep forward, my breath shallow.
The alley holds still, the path clear.As I turn to check the other direction, a hand snatches my wrist, yanking me backward.
My body collides with solid muscle, the scent of mint and cruelty filling my nose.
Jag.
“Running back to me already, Little Bird?”His fingers bite into my skin.“That was fast.”
My breath halts.The air around us thins, the world shrinking.Blood pulses in my ears, frantic and rushing.
“Let go.”I wrench away, lifting the rifle between us, the barrel aimed at his chest.
“You won’t shoot me.”He gives me those eyes.The melty, amber-gold bedroom eyes that enthrall everyone.
But not me.Not anymore.
I don’t lower the gun.
“You won’t.You never could.”He slowly extends an arm, reaching for the weapon.“I’m all you have.”
A chill snakes down my spine, and my muscles lock.
He moves too fast.One second, he’s in front of me.The next, he’s knocking the rifle from my grip.The impact numbs my hands as the weapon clatters to the pavement.
I rear back, but he’s faster, his arm banding around my waist, his strength overwhelming.He lifts me off the ground, dragging me backward.
“Let me go!”I thrash and kick, bucking against his chest.
“Never.”His lips brush against my ear, a menacing growl.“You belong to me.”
Panic explodes.I claw at his arms, twisting, struggling, but his grip only tightens.
