Page 28 of King

Duncan had sent him a hand-sketched image of the woman based on a nurse’s description that Jill had drawn. He glanced at his phone, where the sketch illuminated the screen. Jill’s talent never ceased to amaze him; the drawing was so precise and lifelike as if he were holding a photograph. The detail in the lines, from the curve of her jaw to the slight tilt of her eyes, was incredibly realistic. Whoever this woman was, she was very attractive for a sketch.

He had shown the picture to a few key people in the area, knowing full well how this game worked. No one would admit to recognizing her outright, not in a place like this. Kane had spent enough of his life hunting people to know how these things went. Fear, loyalty, or greed were a few reasons people kept quiet.

He lifted his bottle to his lips, taking a slow sip as he felt the shift in the air. That prickle of awareness that came when someone was watching. His instincts flared, his muscles tensing beneath his leather jacket, but his expression remained calm. He didn’t look up immediately, letting the moment linger as he scrolled idly on his phone, pretending to be engrossed.

A slight grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. He didn’t need to look to know she was there looking straight at him.

Word of mouth had worked faster than he’d expected. It always did. People loved to gossip, and a stranger asking questions with a detailed sketch in hand was bound to make waves. Kane leaned back in his chair, letting the shadow of the dim light cloak his face. He knew when she was moving because he sensed it as well as heard her footsteps coming forward. Being a vampire gave him the advantage of pinpointing sounds in a crowded pub.

The chair across from him scraped against the wooden floor, its sound cutting through the low hum of bar chatter. Kane didn’t look up, keeping his focus on his phone, though he was acutely aware of the figure now sitting opposite him.

“Heard you were looking for me.” Her voice was a smoky, rich, and layered melody, carrying a gravelly edge hinting at sleepless nights and secrets she wasn’t keen to share. “Glad I could help you find me.”

Kane allowed a small, deliberate smile to curl at the corner of his mouth before finally looking up. His gaze swept over her, taking in every detail. She wasn’t just attractive but stunning, with a fierce, weathered beauty that told a story of resilience and survival.

He lifted his beer and took a slow sip, setting the bottle back down with a deliberate clink that seemed louder than it should have been. The noise around them faded into the background as he leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. His steady gaze locked onto hers, testing her resolve.

Her eyes darted briefly to the door before returning to him, a flicker of calculation in her expression. Kane smirked, catching the subtle movement. Wise,he thought.She’s already planning her exit.

“If you’re thinking about running, don’t,” Kane said, his voice low and smooth, carrying an unspoken threat beneath the surface. “I will catch you.”

A flicker of fear danced across her dark eyes for a fraction of a second before it vanished, replaced by a steely glare.

“Listen,” she said, her tone sharp and impatient, “I did you a favor by showing up. I don’t need anyone flashing sketches of me all over town, asking questions. I’m here. So tell me what you want, and let’s get this over with.”

Kane watched her closely, noticing how her gaze flicked toward the shadows, her wariness palpable.

“You made my job easier,” he admitted, his lips curving into a faint grin. “But don’t think for a second I wouldn’t have found you eventually.”

“Who are you?” she asked, her voice laced with irritation and a trace of unease.

Kane leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms in a casual yet commanding stance. “Funny,” he replied. “I was just about to ask you the same thing.”

She scoffed, her brow furrowing in frustration. “Obviously, you know more about me than I know about you.”

“True,” Kane said with a teasing edge, enjoying the verbal sparring. His calm confidence was disarming, and he knew it.

“Fuck you,” she hissed, pushing her chair back abruptly as if to leave.

Kane didn’t flinch. His voice was firm, cutting through the air like a blade. “Sit down.”

Her glare intensified, but she sank back into the chair with a defiant huff after a moment's hesitation. “Fine. But the least you can do is buy me a damn beer.”

Kane chuckled, amused by her fire. He caught the waitress’s attention with a subtle motion and signaled for another drink. When the beer arrived, he slid it across the table toward her.

“Thanks,” she muttered, taking a long swig before narrowing her eyes at him.

Kane placed his phone on the table, turning it toward her. “This you?”

She glanced at the sketch displayed on the screen, her expression unreadable as she leaned in for a closer look. After a moment, she leaned back, her lips curling into a faint smirk. “Nice sketch. Uncanny resemblance.”

“Isn’t it?” Kane replied, his tone measured, as he slid the phone back into his pocket.

Her fingers drummed on the table as she studied him, her gaze sharp and calculating. “So, what’s this about? You’ve got your sketch, and I’m sitting right here. Spit it out.”

“You brought a boy to the hospital,” Kane said, his voice steady, watching her reaction like a hawk.

“Is that a question?” she shot back, her eyes narrowing slightly as she lifted the beer to her lips again.

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