Page 27 of Targeted By Desire

Free from my grasp, Simone stood and took off into the darkness again.

I shook off the dizziness and ran after her. I wanted her to take another shot at me. I wanted to see what other tricks she had up her sleeve. Resourcefulness and resilience didn’t come easy to everyone. Yet, here she was throwing it around like it was nothing. If only she wasn’t a fucking fed. She could’ve been of great use to me.

Another branch collided with my face mid-step, breaking my thoughts and stride. I flew backwards from the impact and landed flat on my back.

The branch came down again, clocking me straight in the chest. “You. Mother. Fucking. Asshole. Fuck. You. Bastard!” She yelled, hitting me with every word. With the last word, she swung the branch and hit me right in the face.

That one didn’t just blur my vision - it turned all the lights out. And by the time they came back on, Simone was long gone.

THE AGENT

My feet are killing me.

The elements of the forest floor tore up the soles of my feet while I was running through the woods. The adrenaline in the moment distracted me from the pain. Now that I'd reached the main road, my cuts were screaming with every step on the pavement.

I hadn’t looked back after I’d knocked that asshole out. I kept running, determined to get to safety.

In hindsight, I should’ve tied his ass to a tree and came back for him later. I wanted to kick myself in the ass for not thinking of it sooner. He was probably awake and long gone by now.

Still, I glanced over my shoulder just in case.

My shoulders fell at the sight of darkness behind me. I was still alone.

Limping on my sore feet, I followed the street lights up the road, scouring the other side of the road for a lit building. At this hour, most of the establishments were closed. And I had to be careful if I chose to walk into a bar.

One look at my dirty, disheveled dress and the men inside might think they’d gotten lucky. I wasn’t some damsel in distress they could take advantage of.

I just needed a first aid kit and a phone call. And I wasn’t about to flutter my lashes to get it.

My hopes rose as I spotted a small inn at the top of the corner.

I hurried across the street towards it.

The warm aroma of nutmeg and ginger greeted me as I walked inside the small lobby. An older woman sat behind the front desk with a novel in her hands and a cup with a swirl of steam in front of her. At the sound of the chiming bell, she looked up from the book. The inviting smile on her face was quickly replaced by worry at the sight of me.

“Oh my goodness!” she exclaimed, rising from her seat. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” I assured her. “May I use your phone?”

“You’re hurt,” she commented. She rushed over to me and grasped my hands. Pulling me over to the small couch, she added, “I’ll call the police.”

“No,” I insisted. “I’m fine, really.”

Her lips pulled into a disbelieving frown. “Anyone who hurts another person isn’t worth protecting.”

“I’m not-” I sighed, growing frustrated. “I’m Special Agent Simone Nichols with the FBI. I’m working on a case, and I need to call my partner to give him an update.” It wasn’t a lie. Technically, I was on a case - just not an official one.

Her brows rose in surprise. “Oh! My apologies, agent! I’ll grab my cell.” She hurried back around the desk and shuffled through her purse. She held it out to me as she rushed back over. “Let me grab the first aid kit - and make you some tea. You look like you’ve been through hell.”

“I have,” I said, cracking a smile. “Thank you.”

As she disappeared behind one of the “Staff Only” doors, I dialed Gabriel’s number. I prayed he’d answer despite the unfamiliar number.

“Hello,” he answered groggily after a few rings.

“Gabe, it’s me,” I said.

“Simone?” Static crackled as he fidgeted in his bed. “Aren’t you supposed to be getting your back cracked right now?”