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“Fuck you, Eli. I ain’t gay.”
“Lucky for us,” Eli replies. “Why don’t you do exactly what your wife suggested?”
“Why don’t you mind your own fucking business? Or did you come back to protect your pussy friend again?”
Eli puffs out his chest, but I hold out an arm to stop him. I went to great lengths to ensure I can fight my own battles now.
“Garrett, you’d save us both a lot of grief if you would just accept defeat. Because let me tell you something.” I step closer, my eyes darkening as I focus my simmering rage on the man. “I will not back down until I crush you. I will strip you of what little dignity you still have, and I will take great pleasure in doing so. I have all the time in the world to wait you out. You could save yourself by signing over your properties to me and leaving town.”
Garrett narrows his eyes. “Are you out of your fucking mind, Frenchie? I grew up here. Neubrook is mine.”
“Yes, because you did so well managing it before.” I poke my finger into his chest, using just enough force to push him back. His eyes go wide. “I have warned you. I will be the last man standing when this is all done. You’ll be sorry you ever picked a fight with me.”
“I’m not afraid of you.”
Chuckling, I let my eyes glow for just a flash. “You should be.”
Garrett backs away from me, the scent of fear pouring off him. “You’re fucking crazy, man.”
“Your opinion of me is irrelevant.”
Garrett doesn’t say anything else as he hurries down the sidewalk to join his wife. Once he’s safely in his car, I turn to look at Eli, who is gazing at me with a stunned expression.
“Sorry about that. You see Garrett hasn’t matured much.”
“Dude. You are a total badass without lifting a finger. I’m impressed.”
His words stoke the need to please him. “I’ve had to learn to fight with words. And money.” I smile. “Since we’re here, should we get ice cream?”
“Sounds good.”
I watch with barely contained enthusiasm as Eli samples several flavors before choosing a waffle cone with three flavors. I choose a sugar cone with my favorite chocolate pistachio swirl and then we leave, walking slowly back home.
“What about your car?”
“It’s a short walk to come back and get it. I’m enjoying this. It’s rare I take the time to simply relax.”
“Good. I’m glad. Take it from me, you have to find the balance.”
As we walk, a few people pass us, giving us lingering glances. I’m sure they know who I am, but slowly, people will realize Eli is back.
Later that evening, after Eli had a sugar crash and insisted on going to bed early, I pace the living room, filled with agitation. I’m hungry, but I’m also pissed. Garrett is such a thorn in my side. It’s so tempting to sneak into his room and drain him as he sleeps, but I know there will be far more satisfaction if I can pace myself.
I decide to go outside and run through the woods to burn off some energy. Perhaps after that, I can hunt a bit and find a nice meal to take the edge off. Heading to my bedroom, I peel off my suit jacket as I walk. After changing into a black tracksuit and sneakers, I slip out of the loft.
I love my nightly runs, enclosed in the trees, hidden from curious eyes as I use my super speed to run twenty miles in a matter of a few minutes. At the end of the small forest, I kneel down and drag my hand through the cool water of the brook the town gets its name from, splashing my face, before standing and running back at a slower pace.
Leaving the woods, I bypass the building I live in, jumping across abandoned factories and other commercial buildings to get across town where I do most of my hunting. There’s always some asshole causing trouble.
I pass the clusters of homeless people, silently promising to end their troubles soon enough. Maren and I have a plan for Garrett’s warehouses when we get him out of them. Under the bridge is where the drug users and dealers linger. I don’t bother with them—too erratic, and the drugs mask the true taste of their blood. Not that it affects me. Nothing does.
Eventually, I come to the worst area. I lean against a shabby building on the verge of collapse. This is the place where I found Nick a year ago, and where most sex workers offer their services.
Since I’ve been around, it’s become a lot safer, but we often get people coming in from other areas to avoid recognition. Those are my targets.
I spot Charlie on his favorite corner, dressed in a short black skirt and crop top despite the cooler spring weather at night. He leans on a lamppost, eyeing the cars passing by him, until one slows in front of him. I watch as he leans into the passenger seat window, his legs elongated by the black high heels he wears. Charlie moves back, but a hand from inside the car reaches out and grabs his wrist. That gets my attention.
In the blink of an eye, I’m beside Charlie, gently pushing him back from the car. I lean down, taking a look at the driver, who looks pissed that I took away his candy. I slide into the seat instead, leaving a bewildered Charlie on the sidewalk as I speak a single word, “Drive.”
