Page 9 of Bite Marks & Broken Hearts

The guy with the gun.

The guy with the gun hadfollowed me home.

“Don’t panic,” he said, voice low and controlled. “Listen, I just need—”

Iscreamed, the sound echoing off the concrete walls.

His hand clamped over my mouth, muffling my cries, the touch of his skin ice-cold against my lips.

No!I’d already been easy prey once this evening. I refused to go down a second time without a fight.

Pure instinct took over. I bit down hard, my teeth meeting resistance like I was trying to bite through marble instead of flesh. His grip loosenedfor a split second—just enough time. I drove my knee upward, connecting with his groin with every ounce of strength I had.

“¡Joder!” He stumbled back, doubling over. “Hijo de—”

I didn’t wait to hear the rest of whatever curse he was spitting. My fingers flew across the keypad, punching in the code. The lock clicked. I yanked the door open and bolted down the corridor.

My heart hammered against my ribs as I rounded the corner, nearly slipping on the polished floor. The lift was too risky—he could catch up while I waited. Instead, I crashed through the fire escape door and took the stairs two at a time.

The ice in my chest burned colder with each step.

Should I call the police? But what would I say? Some bloke—“who shot at another man spider-monkeying up a wall, officer”—followed me home and grabbed me? After the doctor’s dismissal, the last thing I needed was another authority figure treating me like I belonged in a padded room.

No. Better to get inside, lock the door, and pretend none of this had happened.

You’re getting rather good at that, aren’t you?

The thought hit like a punch to the gut. I pushed it away, focusing on the four flights of stairs. My fingers trembled as I fumbled with my keys, dropping them twice before managing to get the right one into the lock.

Inside, I slammed the door shut. The chain slid into place with a satisfying click. My legs gave out. I slumped against the door, sliding down until I hit the floor with a thud.

I held my breath, straining my ears.

Nothing.

I should have felt safer once I was home, but this cramped flat still didn’t feel likehomeafter three weeks.

I forced myself to stand up on my jelly legs, then fled to my bedroom. I jumped into my waiting bed, curling into a ball. My breath came in waves, each one pulling me further from shore. I pressed my back against the wall, trying to find an anchor point as memories of Damien’s smile and then my assailant’s grip threatened to drag me under.

You’re okay. You’re inside. He can’t get in.

But then the memory of Damien scaling that wall flashed through my mind, and I jerked my head up to stare at my bedroom window.

Fourth floor. No fire escape. No ledges. Just smooth concrete and glass.

Even Spider-Man would struggle with that.

A hysterical laugh bubbled up in my throat. I choked it back down.

My fingers traced the spot where the chill radiated, like my blood had been replaced with liquid nitrogen.

I pressed my palm flat against my chest, willing the sensation to fade.

Please, just let me wake up and let this nightmare be over.

4

Sebastián

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