Page 79 of Desert Heat

Use that line a lot tonight?

???? Are you spying on me sugar?

I have eyes and ears everywhere…

So do I. Does he touch you like I do?

Does she?

Forty-eight hours.

?

That’s your head start baby. Ready or not here I come.

“What? Is he serious?” My heart pounded as I stared at his last text, too chicken to respond. I knew he had a mole on campus reporting back. Maybe I overdid my flirtations tonight mixed with my ‘don’t touch me bitch vibe’.

I tapped on Brandi’s name.

“Sav? I’m closing down the bar what’s up?”

“They’re coming. At least River is. He just texted.”

“When?”

“I-I’m not sure. Let me screen shot the texts on the burner and send them. Hang on.”

“Whoa, I think River isn’t one to bluff. He’s never once tried to see you or text about coming back since you saw him last winter, right?”

“It’s been about ten months. I know shit was hot with the club and I did reject him the he asked me not to end us.”

“I don’t get it? Why now? What is he up to? Do you think Tank will come as well?”

“Is he still paying thousands to see you in a red thong posing in the white snow?”

“Yeah,” she sighs.

“The man’s coming and if I were you… I’d hideout. There’s no way he isn’t gonna go all batshit caveman on you. Frankly, I’m not sure how he held back from not coming up here sooner and hauling you over his shoulder after the sext messages you showed me last week.”

“Maybe it’s wrong. It just feel safe to flirt with an ex when you know they are a timezone away. But him? Here? Like tomorrow? I’m not sure if I should run and hide in a cave or tie myself to the bed with all my next to me.”

“I am a bit sexually frustrated. I’ve kissed a few guys but none of them made my body want more. It enraged me. But You know what? I am who I am. After being raised by alphas you want one for yourself. None of the guys up here can compare.”

“I know. I just wish Tank could offer me more of a future than being ‘an ol’ lady. Bullets and blood is a hard no for me. Is there any way he can get out?”

“No, once you pledge and get voted in. It’s for life. Too many can snitch and turn otherwise. The only way out is death.”

“We need a plan. If they two of them really are coming to Bradbury we can’t be sitting ducks. If they are enriching it’s at least eighteen hours.”

“We can’t hide,” I snorted. “But I think they’ll fly. From what I understand the drive to New Mexico last year was a shit show. Plus, they have that Hacker guy who tracked us down last year. Besides I’m not afraid of him. If we run, it’ll give them the satisfaction of a chase. I’d rather hold my ground and make them sweat.”

“Hmm, there is the fall bonfire party in a few days.”

“God if that isn’t full circle. We met them at that party a year ago.”

“It’ll cause a scene if we go and they show up.”

“So? I already have a bad reputation. I give zero fucks. I never did.”

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