Page 85 of Hunted Innocence

“I figured you were special,” Lola announces, “but to catch that man’s attention, that’s well above my abilities.”

Opening my mouth, I start to ask her what that means, but she takes a step backward, and then she disappears somewhere in the space behind me. I can’t watch her go because my attention is taken by the man who enters my space.

He doesn’t speak right away, but my body feels sick in his presence. It’s a feeling I know all too well. This is how I felt every time Landon touched me, every time he took me somewhere to have strange men touch me.

This man is evil.

I need to run.

This wasn’t just a crazy idea. This was the worst idea on the planet. And I know that Lucille had no way of knowing. She wouldn’t have suggested it had she known. At least, I don’t think she would.

Theron warned me that this guy was dangerous, but I thought he was just some kind of mobster or something, not that he was like Landon. I didn’t think he was like those men. I didn’t realize that once again, I would be transported to the past and be rendered frozen.

“Hello,” he murmurs.

His voice sounds… scary.

Just that single word is even-toned, no inflection, no accent. I don’t think I could pick it out of a group of hellos. And I know that it’s done that way on purpose. He, without a doubt, doesn’t want to have anyone recognize him in the wild.

Turning my head, I tilt it back slightly to look up into his eyes. His face is the same as his voice, plain.

Nothing notable or distinguishable.

I would describe him as of medium height, with an average build and darker features. Dark hair, tanned skin, and dark eyes. Just like a million other men walking around Miami. I couldn’t even guess at his ethnicity.

And if I had to… Cuban, Spanish, Eastern European, maybe Greek. I have no idea.

“Hello,” I say softly, trying to figure out a way to get the hell out of here.

I’m only one word into this stupid plan, and I’m ready to forget the whole thing—and fast.

“You’re not from here.”

Part of me wants to answer sarcastically because, no shit, I’m not from here. I’m the only person in this entire club without a see-through dress on. I don’t say that, though. Instead, I just press my lips together in a tight smile and shake my head.

He takes my nonanswer and tight smile as an invitation. I’m pretty sure he would take anything as an invitation, though, if he wanted something. He reminds me far too much of Landon, and I know that Landon always took what he desired and nothing would stop him except death.

“I’m not,” I agree, trying not to appear as absolutely terrified as I feel on the inside.

He jerks his chin toward his cove and asks me to join him and his friends. I look over to the table where Lola has been, but my entire cove is empty. I have no idea where she went, which also makes me feel very suspicious and nervous.

“Come over to my cove. I’m having a bit of a private party.”

I wish my brain worked fast enough to come up with an excuse to not go to this man’s cove, but it doesn’t. Instead, I plaster on my agreeable face, the one that I always used with Landon and whoever else needed it from me. My mind screams in protest, but I follow behind him to the cove next to mine, where there are five women in the same see-through style of dresses as the rest of the club.

Their eyes all find mine, and I suck in a breath as they do. They’re hollow. Every single set of eyes that meets mine is dark and haunted. I recognize their expression because I used to wear it every single day of my life.

“Girls, this is…”

“Nadine,” I offer with a tight smile.

He gives me a predatory grin. Then clears his throat as he reaches out and places his hand on the small of my back. I suppress my shiver of disgust at the sense of any part of his body touching mine. His fingers press against my back. They’re hot, almost clammy, and I want to run away.

“Nice to meet you,” he says, his voice soft and sweet—saccharine.

I hate it.

I hate him.

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