Page 77 of Primal Urges

Lucas stared at the little blue-and-green figurine, speechless and frozen in fear.

Caden followed his gaze toward the window.

“What? The hummingbird? Is that what’s got you all riled up?” Lucas nodded. “Oh, it probably belongs to one of my neighbors. Sometimes, kids cut across my backyard instead of walking to the end of the street and going around. Can’t tell you how much crap I’ve found back there left behind by stupid, lazy kids over the years.”

Lucas couldn’t tear his eyes away from the tiny figure. He hoped and prayed that it was just a coincidence, a terrifying mistake left behind by some ignorant teen.

Because if it wasn’t. That meant that this town he had come to love was no longer safe.

Lucas swallowed hard as he continued to stare at the tiny figure of torture.

“So what are we having for breakfast?” Caden asked, his voice barely a whisper compared to the beating of Lucas’s heart in his ears.

23

LUCAS

Lucas’s stomach had been in knots all morning. He couldn’t shake this unsettling feeling that he was being watched.

Ever since he saw that fucking hummingbird in the window, his nerves had been on edge.

It had to be all in his head. What were the chances that Darryl had randomly stumbled upon his video among all the millions of crazy videos that were out there online?

Even if he had… somehow… managed to stumble across the video, what were the chances that he would be able to identify the bar and then come and find him in New Mexico?

No.The hummingbird had to be a coincidence, the same as the fire.

Random shit happens all the time.

It didn’t mean anything.

He hoped his theories were true.

Not wanting to annoy Caden, Lucas decided to go for a walk to clear his head.

He headed down Main Street with no particular destination in mind. The day was warm, with a slight overcast, perfectfor roaming around and worrying about getting a sunburn or overheating.What was he, seventy? Who worries about “overheating” while taking a walk? Okay, clearly, he wasn’t in the right state of mind.

No matter how hard he tried, his thoughts kept coming back to that damn figurine.

It had to just be a coincidence. There was no way Darryl had found him.

Hummingbird.

The word sent shivers down his spine.

My sweet little hummingbird…

Taking full control, his mind pulled him back through his memories—back to the days when those four little words had meant something so sweet. Four loving words that used to make his heart swoon. Four little words that now brought nothing but fear to his heart.

It was their first weekend getaway together as an official couple. Darryl had surprised Lucas with a weekend stay at this cute little bed-and-breakfast out in Napa Valley.

The place they stayed at was a cozy four-bedroom home that overlooked a small local vineyard. Each morning, a subtle hint of oak wafted through the bedroom window. It was a scent that would always remind Lucas of the walks they took in the overgrown vineyards of Napa Valley.

Lucas had been excited since he found out about their trip. It was the first time that he would be having a romantic weekend away with his significant other… hisboyfriend, if you will.

He loved saying that.

Boyfriend.

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