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I’m not, right?
“I did tell you, but you didn’t listen, so the hookers are your punishment until further notice.”
“Oh, fuck you.” He tilts his head to the side toward me. “Are you sure you won’t change your mind? I’m a way better fuck than he is.”
Knox stands abruptly, so abruptly that I push back against the sofa, startled.
“Repeat that one more time and I’ll beat you the fuck up, then I’ll pay a dozen blonde hookers to wank you in your sleep. Don’t test my fucking patience.”
Instead of being mad, Daniel’s lips pull in a wide grin. “My, my, Van Doren. Isn’t this fucking interesting?”
“Get out.”
“Not when it’s getting juicy. Should I order my best man suit?”
I swallow, my heart hammering at what he’s insinuating. I stand up so fast, the room starts spinning for a bit, but I plant my feet firmly on the ground. “I…I’m going back to the IT department.”
Knox is about to say something, but I can’t listen to him in my disheveled state or with the way my heart threatens to jump out of my ribcage.
And the feeling doesn’t go away for the rest of the day, not when I’m working or having lunch with Gwen and Chris, and definitely not when I go home alone.
Knox sends me a text that he’s having a late work meeting and will go to his apartment tonight before coming over.
So that gives me a long time on my own. Hours, to be specific. I should probably sleep them off until he comes along.
Jeez.
Since when did he become the highlight of my day? As I slip the key into the door of my apartment, I can feel the gloominess of being alone in this place.
Is this even healthy anymore?
Mom used to tell me that love is a game one will always lose and I’m starting to realize exactly what those words mean.
Though, this isn’t love.
No, nope. We’re merely fuck buddies.
Yeah, keep telling yourself that.
The moment I open the door and step inside, the hairs on my nape stand on end. And it’s not because Knox isn’t here.
It’s something darker, sharper, and much more nefarious.
My blood roars with the need to run, to disappear and never come back.
My feet shift in place and I turn around to do just that, but a hand shoots out from the darkness and slams the door shut.
The faintly accented voice makes my stomach drop. “Long time no see, Anastasia.”
25
ANASTASIA
Everything I’ve worked for crumbles and splinters into a million pieces right before my eyes.
And all I can do is watch.
For a few seconds, anyway, as the reality of being found strikes me to my bones, crushes them, and leaves me with no air.
