But it was better. So much better.
And I’d let the lust get the better of me.
Because it had beenfilthy.It had been rough and hard andharder,and he’d met me exactly in the middle, never shying away, only rising to the challenge.
“Do you want me to ruin you?”
Yes,I wanted to scream back.
But there’d be no going back. The realization had hit the second he’d closed his eyes in the mirror. As if by doing so, he’d cut off whatever spell he had put me under.
I had the knife in my hand a second later, knowing I’d never be able to do it unless it was right there and then. I thought that was enough to convince me to run, to leave for good and not look back. It was, it was, it was.
He’d kill me to kill my mother.
I say it in my head like a mantra, as if I haven’t repeated it a thousand times already.
It doesn’t matter that I’ve tasted it now; it’s still the blood of my enemy.
And yet.
And yet and yet and yet.
I couldn’t leave my apartment yesterday. I was too overwhelmed to do anything more than call my brother to let him know that I was all right and to let him know that I had done what we had agreed I would do.
I conveniently left out the part where Teo Vitale fucked me against a bathroom wall.
I groan again as I flop back down on my bed, massaging my temples.
I need to stop thinking about it. I need to stop caring about it. I need to stop looking in the mirror because every time I do, I see the marks he left on my neck and chest, and suddenly, I’m back in that restroom again.
Distraction. That’s what I need. I glance at the clock on my bedside table. It’s still early, but my preferred gym will already be open. Maybe I can work off some of this frustration there.
Quickly changing into my workout clothes, I tie my hair back into a ponytail as I make my way down to the lobby.
As I pass, I shoot the receptionist a wink, but stop short when I see who’s standing before him.
Tall, broad shoulders. Shaggy dark hair tied in a lazy bun. Long, impatient fingers drumming on the countertop.
My mouth goes dry. There’s no fucking way.
Then the man turns, and I get a look at his face, and it’s not him.
I squish down the feeling of disappointment as I carry on, flushing about the fact my feet actually faltered at what I thought was the sight of him.
I need to get myself together. Quickly. I chant my mantra to myself again as I stride out into the city.
It’s been weeks now since I first noticed someone was tailing me. They were subtle and never actually approached me, but there was too much movement in the corner of my eye for it to be anything else.
Hacking into the Guild had only confirmed my suspicions. I would have been more thorough had I not been immediately booted out.
It had driven Leon insane, being forced not to react or give them any reason to pick a fight. Which is why I had suggested a business trip out of town, at least until I could convince Teo to stop.
Only…had I even managed that? He seemed to think my threats were beneath him. That I was bluffing.
Had stabbing him made him change his mind?
Either way, as I weave my way through the city, I feel the hairs stand on the back of my neck. Am I being paranoid, or is there still someone there monitoring my every move?
