Page 124 of Prey

“Well, isn’t it a happy coincidence to run into you here?” I said.

He shook his head, looking sheepish. “I actually came to the city for you. Your mom said you moved here. I just didn’t know I would run into you so soon.”

“For me?” I looked off to the side, trying to gather my thoughts. “Why?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” he asked lowly, and I backed away a little when he leaned down toward me.

Whoa.

“What is obvious?” I asked. “I haven’t seen you in seven years. I… I barely know you.”

And I might still be a little bitter that he had cut off all contact with me when he decided to move to Chicago. As if I didn’t matter to him, when he had been one of my best friends growing up, despite the age difference between us.

It probably made sense that he didn’t really want to be friends with someone so much younger than him, but there hadn’t been a single phone call all these years. And now he just showed up out of the blue?

My name was called from the bar top for my order, and I looked back at the bartender holding my bag of food.

I grabbed it from the bartender’s hand, and turned back to Brent. “It was nice to see you again. I have to go.”

Something moved in his eyes. Something I didn’t like very much.

He opened his mouth, but I turned and grabbed my food, waving awkwardly and walking out of there before he could say anything.

Brent didn’t feel like the same man as before, and for some reason, I couldn’t shake the feeling of wanting to run as far away from him as I possibly could.

After getting a few blocks away, I turned to look behind me. Brent was standing outside of the restaurant, looking directly at me. The distance made it hard for me to make out his features.

I quickened my steps until I got to my apartment building. I wasn’t sure what to think.

First the rose, and now Brent?

I took a deep breath, trying to center myself as I exited the elevator.

I had my keys in my hand and was about to unlock the door when an arm wrapped around me. A wet cloth was pressed firmly over my nose and lips, and I struggled, trying to get away.

It didn’t seem to matter, and the more I struggled, the weaker I became, until my limbs became weightless, and I felt the dark edges around my eyes, and then…

Nothing.

22

ROMAN

I walkedinto the bar with a swagger.

Fuck, but I was in a good mood, and it had everything to do with the little temptress waking me up this morning and sucking on my dick with her hot mouth.

Her eyes had twinkled when she heard me let out a long string of expletives. She liked it when I lost control, and I couldn’t even be pissed off about it.

I would always feel like I was losing control whenever she was nearby.

And I was okay with that.

I would gladly give up all of my control for her.

I found Dominic and Micah right away, sitting by the bar top.

Kai was behind the bar, probably testing out his bartending skills.

---