Page 48 of Rafe

Greyson took one look at the hot pink suit and shook his head. “What in the hell is the demon doing here?”

8

Skylar stuffed her phone into her pocket and headed toward the front door. Nothing in this cabin, including the new clothes piled onto the chair, truly belonged to her, and neither did Rafe. Time to go home.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Greyson shook his head. “You can’t leave.”

“I can and I am. This is over. What I just saw tonight…no. I can’t do it. And Rafe? He’s not who I thought he is.” Her lips trembled as she glanced down to her blood splattered boots.

Anything they’d ever shared was a lie. The memory of Rafe flashed in her mind. His fangs. Vampire. She told herself it was for the best she’d found out the truth now. A wolf, he’d never mate with her anyway. He’d never be hers. Though the connection lingered in her heart, tempted her, seeing him as a vampire was the final hatchet to her fleeting romance.

“I know this is a lot to take in, but Rafe is the same. I’m not going to convince you to stay for him. As you are aware, he’s lupine. He is unable to form the necessary bond.”

“What are you even talking about? He’s a liar, is what he is.” She glared at Greyson who appeared unfazed by what had happened in the blood bar. “I don’t want to talk about it. I just want to go. I’ll head back to my mom’s house. Maybe. The only thing I know for sure is that I’d rather be anywhere but here. I’m getting out of Vegas. Right now.”

“I’ve got to get back to him,” Greyson told her. “Just stay until I get back. This place is secure. It’s warded.”

“I’m human. I don’t need wards or protection. I just need to leave. I’m not meant for this.” I can’t stay around Rafe. I can’t fall for a vampire. Or a wolf. “Rafe and me? We’re not meant to be either.”

“I’m afraid you’re not,” Greyson conceded. “But still. I just think you need to stick around.”

Threads of guilt wound around her heart, but she shook it off and logic ruled. She settled on lying to get rid of the vampire “I’m grateful to you both for saving me the other night. I’ll wait until he gets back, but then I’m gone.”

“I’ll be right back. Don’t leave.” Greyson shook his head and disappeared.

Relieved he’d left her alone, she continued toward the front door. As she passed a desk in the foyer, she considered leaving Rafe a note. She pulled open a drawer and reached for a pen and pad of paper.

Skylar attempted to restrain her emotions, tears welling in her eyes as she formulated her thoughts. What was there to say but goodbye? The truth hit her like a load of bricks. She’d started falling for a guy who’d lied by omission. She didn’t even know who he was.

Rafe, You seem to be good with secrets. I’ll keep yours. ~S

Whether it was true attraction or she’d simply been caught up in the moment, none of it mattered. At the end of the day, she was human. She’d made a mistake by getting involved with him. She tossed the pen onto the desk and took off out the door.

Skylar pulled her hood over her head as she headed into the night. She’d considered calling a car from the house but couldn’t risk being there when Rafe returned. She didn’t want to give him an opportunity to apologize or talk her into staying. It was over, and she wanted a clean break.

Grateful for the light of the moon, she hiked down the driveway onto the main road. With no cars in sight and no bars for cell service, she headed down the road using the screen shot from the GPS map she’d taken from inside the house.

Within three miles she reached a gas station, which apparently doubled for the local casino. An older woman smoking a cigarette at the counter glanced at her as she shoved open the heavy glass door. Skylar ducked inside and tapped at her phone, checked the time: four in the morning. Connecting to the free Wi-Fi, she ordered her ride.

Determined to remain inconspicuous, Skylar kept her head down and headed to a wall of drinks toward the back of the store and grabbed a bottle of water. Bells rang as a man in the corner played a slot machine, coins dropping its well.

The stench of body odor filled her nostrils, and she coughed as a fresh cloud of cigarette smoke drifted her direction. Out of the corner of her eye, a security guard glared at her. She held up the bottle to assure him she was making a purchase and headed to the self-service counter. Skylar slid her finger over her phone, scanned the bottle, paid for the item and looked for the exit. Deep breaths.

A rush of fresh air filled her lungs as she pushed through the glass doors. As she waited for her ride, she considered the series of bad decisions that had led to this particular moment in her life. Moving to L.A. Taking the acting job in Vegas. Drugged and nearly murdered by vampires. Rescued by a charismatic wolf and making the fatal flaw of falling for yet another emotionally unavailable guy.

Luck surely hadn’t been a lady. More like a psychopathic bitch on a murder rampage. Vegas was a bust.

Skylar shoved thoughts of Rafe from her mind as she tapped impatiently at her phone. Arrived. As she lifted her gaze, she spotted the white Mercedes pulling into the lot. She glanced to her app, double checking the license plate, the first three numbers matching. Anxious to leave, she reached for the car door handle, opened it and slid onto the back seat. She sighed, relieved, a sense of safety surrounding her as the car pulled away.

“Hello there,” a male voice said.

“Airport, please.” She ducked her head low, her eyes trained on her phone. Come on. Come on. Get going. “I’m in a hurry.”

“You’re in luck. I was on my way to the airport.”

Skylar’s heart pulsed as the car lunged forward, racing onto the highway. One Mississippi. Two Mississippi. Three Mississippi. She leaned back into the crushed leather seats. Goodbye, Rafe.

“Did you get lucky?” he asked.