Page 3 of Seducer

But he didn’t.

Groaning, I found the courage to glance around the corner. Immediately, I launched into confronting him. “Why hide in the dark? Come out and play with me.”

A half dozen people glanced at the crazy woman addressing no one.

There was no man dressed in dark attire, no freak in a mask waiting to finish what I’d started.

There were just people, some walking arm in arm as they finished their business for the evening. I laughed softly, sliding back into my hiding spot so I could collect myself.

What an idiot I was. He’d figured out I was onto him, sensing him.

I’d been determined to win, ending the game that had been tossed back at me. Even before it officially began. Damn it. He wasn’t making a move. He wasn’t ready. Sighing, I fingered the knife, not realizing I’d nicked my pinky at first. When I did, I flattened the blade and shoved my finger into my mouth, sucking like a little baby. Furious, I shoved the knife back into place, more frustrated than I’d been since the start of the game.

I’d been wrong as I’d been one too many times. Tonight wasn’t the night, just another aspect of the cat and mouse game we’d been playing for weeks.

Damn it.

Damn everything.

I had to win.

This was my contest to lose and that wasn’t going to happen. Too much was at stake. But in order to win, I’d need to turn the tables, becoming the aggressor instead of playing the willing victim.

Perhaps tonight I’d set a trap. The thought brought a malevolent smile to my face as I moved to the corner, waiting for two cars to pass before heading toward my vehicle.

I fumbled to find my keys, cursing under my breath when almost dropping them. On top of everything, I’d become clumsy and careless. That’s the way he played the game, feeding on my weaknesses while I stewed in the unknowing darkness.

With one more street to cross, I took a deep breath, looking both ways. Still hoping I’d catch side of his all too familiar mask.

There was nothing but darkness.

I’d taken only a few steps from the curb when I heard a screeching noise. Before I knew what was happening, a car careened around the corner, gunning right for me. I was paralyzed on the spot, shocked when I was able to glance in through the front windshield.

The bastard driving was wearing a Purge mask. The glowing eyes were impossible to ignore. And instant recognition jetted through me.

I’d seen the sedan before. This wasn’t… No, who the hell was behind the wheel?

What was he doing, really trying to kill me?

Shock tore through me and I willed my feet to move, but they refused.

Suddenly, I was tossed into the air, pitched over something solid.

And I heard a single gunshot.

What the hell?

The driver continued on, the sound lessening until it disappeared. By that point I was fighting with everything I had, somehow managing to slip from the powerful hold. Without looking back, I bolted forward, terrified of everything.

Fearful of him and what he could do to me if he captured me. But that wasn’t my only fear. I was terrified of my emotions and the filthy thoughts racing through my mind.

Most of all, I was petrified of my desire. I ran.

CHAPTER 2

Sara

Fear.

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