“One more song,” she shouts as the music swells. “Then we can step outside.”
I nod. “I’ll give him exactly what he wants.”
“End the bullshit.” Her smile is ferocious. “Ivs is waiting for us.”
Roo pulls me onto the dance floor, just as she always does. But this dance is different. It’s our way of making sure the night stretches just far enough to snap clean in half when we walk outside.
Because Daniel is waiting.
And this time?
So am I.
The night clings to my skin, thick and humid in that way only Crimson Bay manages, like the air itself wants to pin you down and whisper secrets in your ear. Neon hums overhead,broken signs bleeding green and red across the sidewalk. Roo is a few steps ahead of me, boots striking concrete with purpose.
I feel him before I see him.
Daniel is here, exactly where we thought he would be, lurking at the mouth of the alley like a bad habit that never learned shame. He’s partially lit by a flickering sign, hands in his pockets, posture relaxed in that infuriating way he uses to convince people he’s harmless.
“Leaving already?” he calls just as I pass him.
Roo doesn’t turn around yet, but she snorts softly. “Surprise.”
The grin threatening to overtake my lips is more difficult to fight than I was anticipating. I have to bite my cheek before turning to face Daniel.
My guys are just around the corner, but he hasn’t noticed the three predators waiting to see which way the hunt turns. Or the heat of their attention… Or the quiet shift of weight.
Daniel steps closer, testing my boundaries, as he tries to steer the conversation. “You look good, baby.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“I missed you.”
“No, you didn’t,” I say with a sigh. “And I didn’t miss you. Let’s wrap this up.”
His smug smile stretches over his face until I want to claw his eyes out. “Funny. That’s not what it sounded like when you were screaming my?—”
“Don’t.” I lift my hand, stopping Jace at the corner of the alley. “Not yet.”
He stops, but just barely, muscles locked and vibrating with rage.
Daniel laughs, sounding like broken glass. “Look at you, Anna. Playing queen now? You really think they’re going tokeep protecting you forever?” His dismissive gaze flicks past me. “You’re just a thing to them. A phase. A game.”
“I am a game,” I say quietly, stepping closer. “But there’s a glitch in my system.”
His smile falters, confusion leaving a crack in his mask.
“You’ve been circling me for weeks,” I continue, voice steady. “The flowers. Messages. Photos. Breaking into my apartment and sleeping in my bed like you own the place.” I tilt my head. “You had so many chances to disappear.”
“You liked the attention,” he snaps. “You knew I was there, looked right at me. Read all the messages.”
“I enjoy putting down dying animals,” I comment. “But I don’t make a habit of it.”
Daniel lunges.
Fast, but too confident for someone not paying attention to his back.
He never touches me.
