I slipped into the one shop on this road still open.
“We’re closing,” the girl behind the counter said.
“When?”
“Now.”
I groaned, looking back out on the sidewalk before sticking my head out the door and into the night. I had been walking around for a while now, and I still hadn’t heard Rook’s bike again. It had to be getting close to an hour, and I was surprised I hadn’t seen him at all.
I really thought he would be better at this. Then again, maybe he found Elliot and gave up on this game.
The girl behind the counter grumbled again, so I didn’t wait any longer, slipping out onto the street and taking a left. I had come in the opposite way, and I hoped he would still be on the other end. The town wrapped around four blocks, with a park in the middle and smaller, less traveled roads branching out.
It wasn’t big, but it should be enough to stay out of sight for a little longer.
I made it to the end as his bike roared. He had been idling down the street, revving to speed towards me the moment I stepped out of the small road.
He grinned as he got closer. The creepy way his eyes brightened against the dark face paint let me make a quick decision. I turned back down the small alley I came from, taking off at a run. My heart raced, and I yelled out when I looked back to see Rook coming down the sidewalk towards me.
The bike screamed as he hit the throttle again and again, filling the alley with the loud echo and making my heart race. I veered into another narrow alley, my feet pounding against the pavement. The walls seemed to close in around me, the dim light casting eerie shadows, dancing as I ran.
My legs ached as I flattened myself against the wall. My breath came in ragged gasps, and I tried to calm myself, listening for the sound of the bike. The alley fell silent, and for a moment, I thought I had lost him. Then one loud rev of the engine echoed off the brick walls, getting closer.
I peeked around the edge of the wall just as Rook’s bike roared past. He scanned the alley, his eyes sharp and focused. I held my breath, my heart hammering in my chest. He slowed down, almost stopping right in front of me. I could see his silhouette, dark and menacing, just a few feet away. If he turned around, he would see me.
As he continued down the alley, I waited a few more seconds before slipping out from my hiding spot. I had to keep moving. The street ended, turning back out onto the main road or connecting to more alleys. I thought hiding in them might be my best bet. The crowded street would disperse the moment he followed me out.
I ran down the side alley, realizing five seconds too late this one stopped at a dead end. Panic surged through me as I turned to see Rook’s bike shut off, still rolling towards me. He kicked the stand down, jumping off to corner me.
Rook was fast, already wrapping an arm around my waist and turning me to face the wall. He pushed me harder into it, caging me in with nowhere to go.
“Caught you.”
His lips found my neck, biting down on the other side now. His hands grabbed mine, pinning them on each side of my head. I leaned back against him, liking the strength of his body against mine and the feel of his chest heaving at my back. He pressed a little harder into me, my hands pinned on the bricks under his. My body flushed, heat creeping down my spine as my thighs clenched together.
“Let me go,” I finally said, already regretting it before the words were out of my mouth.
“Not until you tell me. You heard the rules. If I catch you within the hour, you tell me your name. How long has it been?”
I looked up at my watch. “Fifty-six minutes.”
“I win. Now tell me.”
“Why?”
“That’s none of your business,” he said, biting at my ear. “Tell me.”
He pressed against me harder, the ragged breath and wicked smile letting me know exactly how much he liked this game. I did, too. I liked someone caring so much about who I was, even if it was just about my name. His wild, dangerous energy felt intoxicating, something I had never dealt with before. It gave me the type of thrill I never thought I would want, but there it was, pulling me in despite every rational reason to stay away. The fight in my head seemed almost unbearable—I knew I shouldn’t feel this way about him, but every part of me liked his intensity.
“Regan,” I yelled as his hand wrapped into my hair.
“Regan,” he breathed. “I was already so close with Rebel. Regan what?”
I didn’t answer, too scared to know why he wanted my last name.
“Regan what?” he asked, his hand tightening again.
“Fletcher. Regan Fletcher,” I yelled.
