Page 28 of Crave
Click.I couldn’t get it closed fast enough. “No, where else do you think I want to go?”
“I dunno…somewhere out of the city maybe?”
Out of the city? The Order rose before I pushed it away. He couldn’t possibly know about that. It had to be something else. Maybe it was Penn? Did he think I wanted to visit my boyfriend? My cheeks burned. “No, not out of the city.”
“Suit yourself.” He muttered, sounding instantly pissed off.
He pushed the car harder, forcing me to slam back against the seat. I cut him a glare. One I knew he saw because the corner of his mouth twitched in amusement. Everyone stared as he hurled past, hugging the hard corners and swung the car into the parking lot of the mall.
Heads turned when we pulled in. He was used to that. He even enjoyed it. But I didn’t. Heat rose as I scanned the area and pulled my belt free before opening the door. He was always so in your face, climbing out like he was royalty. I hated that. Hated the pretence and the lies. More than that I hated the attention…I received enough of that as it was.
I lowered my gaze, closed the door and hurried around the car. “Thank you, Silas. I can find my own way from here.”
“Stop.”
I froze, finding his stare.
He scowled. “We’re family,” then stepped closer. “I can’t leave you here.” He scanned the crowd obliviously heading in and out of the mall. “Don’t want you in danger now, do we?”
Rage simmered in his stare. My lips parted, the words on the tip of my tongue.Right now the only danger to me…is you.
“Do we?” He took a step forward and I fought the urge to move back.
I swallowed and shook my head. Gotta get away from him. Gotta get away from all of them. That urgency rose as he motioned toward the entrance. I turned away, hurrying along the parked cars to the crossing as my mind raced.
They barely acknowledged me before. Pretending as hard as they could I didn’t exist…until now. Now they knew I existed a lot, and I didn’t like it. I hurried through the doors. My panicked plan slipped through my fingers.
I pulled my cell out of my purse, glancing at the empty screen. Where the Hell are you, Penn? Not here, that’s where. Not anywhere I needed him. Silas was a dark blur at the edge of my focus, bearing down on me. I scanned the stores and made for the first place I could get away from him…Honey Birdette.
Bras that weren’t even bras greeted me. They were nothing but black straps designed to cover your nipple, because they wouldn’t cover anything else. My cheeks burned hard, memories pushed in.You’re to wear white for now. Red is for training…black is sold, do you understand?
Black.
Black was sold.
“You like that?” His deep voice was at my back.
I spun around, knowing I still stood in front of the mannequin wearing the kind of lingerie I was sure Silas was used to. “What?”
He glanced at the barely there bra. “Do you like that?”
“No.” I shook my head and looked away, praying to God no one heard us. “No, I don’tlikethat.”
He gave a huh, and pushed past me. “Maybe this is more your taste.” He picked up a black lace thong.
I looked away, mortified.
“Or this?” He pulled up a soft apricot color. His thumb sliding back and forth over the thin strap as he settled that dark stare on me.
I swallowed hard, shaking my head as my core clenched. Still, his thumb never stopped rubbing, rubbing…rubbing.
A pang ripped across my chest, burning as I released my breath and stumbled away.
“What?”He called out.“I’m just trying to help you.”
But he wasn’t. He wasn’t helping me at all. Just go away! Go away and leave me the hell alone. Panicked, I grabbed the first thing I liked. White, lace and not a thong and hurried to the register.
The young woman stared, watching us intently. Had she heard him?
