Page 69 of Pen Pal

I tied a blindfold securely behind Amara’s head and tightened the ropes I tied around her wrists.

“You said you trust me,” I reminded her, nipping at her earlobe.

“I’m starting to regret that,” she muttered, and I chuckled. I took her hands and led her outside, careful to watch her step. I took her keys, unlocked her car, and shoved her in the backseat.

“Where are we going?” she exclaimed, laying still on the seat so no one saw her.

“You’ll see.”

The engine hummed beneath us, a few cars whooshing past us on the dirt roads. Only farmers took these paths, but I knew them thanks to my family. Back roads were often used to avoid detection, and the knowledge was essential for the mafia.

I pulled into a clearing, smirking as I parked her car. I exited the vehicle and opened her back door, dragging her out.

The cool night air greeted us with the smells of pine and earth. I tugged at her restraints, and they fell to the ground as she looked around us.

“Run,” I ordered.

She swallowed, her pulse dancing in her throat as she hesitated.

I gave her a wicked smirk. “You don’t want to know what I’ll do to you if I catch you.”

After all the time we spent together, she knew what I was capable of. Her eyes widened, and she turned, bolting through the clearing and heading to the forest beyond.

Adrenaline surged through me as I grinned, waiting until she disappeared beyond the trees before I took off after her. Excitement surged in my veins, the thrill of the hunt making my cock twitch.

Her footsteps echoed ahead of me, taunting, beckoning.

I raced ahead with a single focus in mind.

Catch her and devour her.

27

Amara

Enzo’s footsteps thundered behind me, and I ran harder, faster. A thrill shivered up my spine, my heart hammering against my chest as my adrenaline spiked.

I dodged branches and stumbled on roots, my sneakers crunching against the leaves as I ran blindly. I turned, trying to lose him through the brush. Like a true killer, he stalked after me, his steps rapid but still at a walk.

But I gave it all I had.

I tore through the trees, my breath coming out in short pants as I sprinted. Birds flapped overhead, giving me away as they fled from me. Even squirrels chittered as they scampered away.

I decided to focus on my escape. Enzo’s steps were getting faint, and hope surged in my chest thatI’d lost him. I looked behind me, but I could still see him.

I turned again, losing sight of him behind a thick cluster of trees as I pressed forward.

My side ached, my eyes searching for a tree large enough to hide me. One was hollow on one side, so I reached for it, slipping inside, crouching so Enzo couldn’t find me.

I panted, trying to catch my breath as the icy air chilled my already frigid skin. I rubbed my arms, my nipples hardening under my long-sleeved dress.

My breath quieted as I heard twigs snap, and I held my breath. Footsteps, and they were coming closer.

This forest was huge. How did Enzo know where I was going?

He stopped, looking around, straining to hear any sound that I might make. I cupped my mouth, breathing through my nose as I watched him, waiting.

His eyes shot forward, a bird calling ahead, and he jogged away.

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