Page 26 of Zombie

He grunted and gave me a quick nod in response before turning on his directional and moving into traffic. The ride was quiet and slightly awkward. Embarrassment at what I had done last night hit me like a truck. Dante’s hands gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles were white. What was his deal?

“Kade let me know my window is fixed,” I said, trying to start some sort of conversation.

“That’s good,” he said hoarsely.

I looked out the window, watching as we got out of the city. “I think it would be fine for me to go home tomorrow.”

Dante looked at me, anger flashing in his eyes. “I haven’t gotten the results back from the evidence we took at your place. It would be wise to stay another day or two to see what we discover.”

I looked at him, bewildered. Did he want me to stay with him again? My stomach fluttered at the thought. No, there was no way he wanted that. He was just being a good friend to Kade.

“Okay,” I said, unsure how else to respond.

We pulled up to the massive house and parked in the garage. As I went upstairs to get changed, I couldn’t help but look at the room at the end of the hall. Its door was slightly ajar, as if it was taunting me.

“Next time we do this, you will be invited in here.” Dante’s words echoed in my mind as I stared at the door. I shook my head out of the trance I was in and got into comfy clothes.

Would he invite me tonight? Maybe that was wishful thinking on my part. Only time would tell.

SEVENTEEN

ZOMBIE

I cursed myself for the umpteenth time that day thinking about what I had done last night. I prided myself on my control and my ability to stay calm and collected. But for some reason, like the other night with the rock, I lost my control around this girl.

I stirred the soup I was making with more vigor than necessary. I wanted to touch Lennie. I wanted to see the look on her face when she came. The previous night, I’d gotten off twice thinking about the sounds I’d heard coming from her room.

Why did she have such a hold over me? I’d worked with plenty of beautiful women during my time, and no one had the effect on me that Lennie did.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. As I took it out, my stomach sank.

UNKNOWN:

Tonight, same location as before. 10 PM. Don’t be late.

Another message followed, this one a picture of baby Ryann laying on a dirty mattress, crying. Rage surged through me as I took in the picture. Sarah was taunting me. Tonight I would figure out a way to get Ryann and Cassie to safety while I continued to help Sarah run the operation.

I really didn’t like the idea of sneaking out of my own house when I had a guest. Especially if I came home covered in blood again. I’d just sent a message confirming that I would be there when I heard footsteps coming down the stairs. I pocketed the phone and looked toward the noise.

“Mm, something smells good,” Lennie said as she walked into the kitchen.

Arousal shot to my groin as I took in the purple lace romper she was wearing. A sense of yearning washed over me as I watched her. I wanted to wrap her in my arms and smell the floral notes of her hair products and perfume. I wanted to devour her.

A whistle from the far corner of the room caught my attention. Arrow stood there with his arms crossed over his chest and a surprised look on his face.

“Dude, she looks smoking hot right now,” he said with his tongue in his cheek.

A growl slipped out of me before I had another second to think about it. Lennie jumped and looked startled.

I closed my eyes and took a breath. She thought I was growling at her. Great. Just fucking great. Now she was really going to think I was an asshole.

Cause you are, my inner monologue screamed at me.

I murmured an apology and began stirring the soup once more.

Dinner was as awkward as one could imagine. Despite Lennie’s best efforts, it was full of awkward pauses. Why was I like this? Why couldn’t I just talk to her like I would the rest of the people in my life?

Because she’s not just anyone, I thought to myself.