Page 142 of Prey

I looked behind me, but was greeted with nothing but the stillness of the open space.

Was I being followed?

I quickened my pace, wanting to turn back around and run back to the house, but was afraid I would run into—

I didn’t know who.

I cut through a walkway that would lead me to the back of my parents’ house.

Three minutes later, I was breathing hard, but I could see the big, white house in my line of sight.

Just a few more minutes, and I would be in the safety of the house, just—

Someone grabbed me from behind.

I struggled in his hold, and he tightened his arms around me.

“Get off me!” I screamed out.

“Ryleigh. It’s okay. It’s me.”

I stilled from his voice.

He loosened his hold around me, but he didn’t let me go. He carried me to the waiting truck and deposited me on the passenger-side bench before I could really react. I watched as he ran around to the driver’s side.

I waited until he had closed the door before turning a glare at him.

“What the hell, Roman? What are you doing?”

The corner of his lips tilted up in a small smirk.

“What does it look like I’m doing?” he asked, turning fully toward me. “I’m abducting you.”

25

ROMAN

“Come again?”she asked me.

I put the truck in drive and took off.

I had been hanging around this neighborhood for the last three fucking hours, waiting for her to come out of the house. I would have waited all day and night if that was what it took, but luckily for me, my little innocent decided to go for a walk.

Still, it was best to get out of this neighborhood before I drew any attention to myself.

I was done waiting for her to come to her senses.

She could grieve the loss of her father—that was expected—but I couldn’t let her grieve out of my sight.

I wanted to be the one to comfort her when she was hurting.

I wanted her close to my side.

It might be selfish, but I couldn’t fucking wait any longer.

“It’s exactly as I said. I’m abducting you.”

“Are you crazy?” she asked. She wasn’t in hysterics like I had expected, so things were going well.

---