Page 20 of Savage Hate
He lifts a hand and runs it down my jaw, and for a second, a single second, I contemplate what it would be like to bring this guy home. I am not beholden to anyone, and once Mindy goes back to her house…
Speaking of, I crane my neck around and scan the crowd for my friend, but I don’t see her.
“I’m sorry. I need to find my friend. She’s really drunk.”
He nods. “Nice meeting you…” He widens his eyes, waiting for me to tell him my name.
“Lennon,” I say, a genuine smile on my face. He’s nice, and he has kind eyes. A bit older than me, but who cares? He’s cute, and presumably single, since there’s no ring on his left finger.
“And where can I find you, Lennon?” he asks, his smile mischievous.
“I work at the front desk of Savage Ink.”
Shut up, Lennon. What are you doing?
The smile drops from his face. “Savage Ink?”
I take a step back. “Yes?”
He shakes his head and rubs his lip with his thumb. “Excuse my language, but what thefuckare you doing working for those guys?”
I swallow, my eyes widening. “What do you mean?”
“Listen, Lennon. You need to be careful. Those guys are unhinged,” he states gruffly.
Shivers work their way down my spine. “Unhinged? How so?”
He gives me a grim smile. “You don’t want to know, baby girl.”
His use ofbaby girlmakes me uncomfortable.
“Thanks. I appreciate the warning.”
“Anytime. Hope to see you around.” He winks, and then he walks off.
I spin around and find Mindy slumped against one of the booths. I rush over, and when I shake her, she snorts and sits up.
“It’s your turn to get up with him,” she slurs, without even opening her eyes, before resting her cheek on her arms as she leans forward on the table.
“Come on, Mind. Let’s get you home,” I say gently, and then I lift her up and walk her out of the pub.
I call a cab and give them her address, and she gives me a quick hug before hopping in the back with her bag—which includes her pump, bless her.
“Hey, if you ever need me to come over and watch the kids while you nap, let me know.”
“You’re the best, Len,” she says, blowing me a kiss. “See you soon.”
I wave her off, sighing as I begin my walk back to my apartment. I’m still completely drunk, and since it’s nearly two in the morning, the main street is empty. A layer of fog clings to the streetlamps, and I shiver as the wind picks up.God, it’s eerie here at night.
I’m about a block away from home when I hear footsteps behind me. I look over my shoulder as I quicken my pace, and I don’t see anything out of the ordinary. Walking faster, I’m five doors down from Savage Ink, near the back alley where the communal dumpster is located, when a rough hand grabs me.
thirteen
Damon
I wrap my arms around Lennon tightly as Jude beckons us over to the back door of Savage. She screams and thrashes against me, and even though she’s a tall girl, she doesn’t have any muscle on her. I grit my jaw at the thought of her not being able to fight back against someone else—someoneworse.
“What thefuckare you guys doing?” she asks roughly through jagged breaths, baring her teeth at all of us. The buttons pucker on her blouse, and I have to tear my eyes away from her tits straining against the silky material as we move.
