AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My pace slows, the bottoms of my feet are on fire. Reluctantly, I turn around and start to make my way back. A rustling sound comes from my left. As I spin, I meet a pair of piercing gray eyes that I’m starting to know too well. Before I open my mouth to scream, his hand clamps down over my lips and he yanks me down the alleyway, making my back crash against the brick wall.
A cool blade presses into the side of my neck.
“What did I say would happen if we crossed paths again, detective?” His tone drips with danger.
I can’t speak, his palm restricts my air.
“If I remove my hand, do you promise to be a good girl and not scream?”
I nod weakly, letting him think he’s won.It’s a struggle to ignore the fact his words have me hot under his touch.
He peels back his hand and presses the knife harder against my skin. My breathing becomes heavy. Concentrate Zara.
It takes all of my willpower to make sure I speak even and calmly. “Screaming would mean I need help. I know you won’t kill me. Not here, anyway.”
Is that a flicker of a smile that is teasing up the corner of his mouth? “Hmmm, is that so?”
I close my eyes as he trails the edge to the center of my neck, then painfully slowly down the front of my chest.
He’s consuming my space, his face just inches from mine.
“Zara, Zara, Zara. What am I going to do with you?”His eyes focus on my lips.
“Let me go, Frankie.”My breath hitches as the knife brushes against my shirt over my stomach.
“Why would I let my stalker get away so lightly?” He grips my chin and turns my face left and right. I don’t know what to say. Why is my heart racing? The thrill of his body wedged against mine feels better than I expected.
He can’t ever know that.
“Get the fuck off me.”I hate that I want the opposite. For him to push harder.
His nostrils flare as he looks me up and down before he chuckles. “Are you going to make me, dolcezza?”
What the hell is dolcezza, and why does it sound so damn hot coming from his deep voice? That line of thought has to stop. I need my brain to start working.
Sliding my hand down my side, I reach for the flip knife in my pocket and bring it up to his throat. I press a little too hard and droplets of blood start to drip down his neck. He doesn’t flinch, but grabs my wrist and squeezes until the blade falls from my grip. Pushing my back against the bricks with a thud, one of his muscular legs wedges between my thighs.
“Don’t fight me, detective. It will only make me harder for you. And that’s the last thing either of us needs.”
I gawp at him, fighting for air as his hand laces around my throat. He squeezes and leans in.
“Now, whatever this little mission of yours is, it needs to end. Maybe look a little closer to home for the real enemy, Zara. You never know what monsters are lurking in plain sight.”
I swallow against his palm.
What the fuck does he mean?
“You’re the only monster here,”I croak out.
That earns me a full bellied laugh. “I didn’t have you down as naïve. I thought you were smart, relentless with a disregard for personal safety. It seems I was wrong.”
He releases his hold and my body sags. I rub my neck and he wipes the droplets from his. Staring at the crimson stain on his fingers, his eyes narrow, then lock with mine.
“Open your mouth,” he demands.
I look up at him through my lashes. He cannot be serious.
He raises his eyebrow.
