Page 53 of Savage Hate
“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”
Jude nods. “That’s the one. Those new followers? They’rehatefollowing us.”
A shiver works down my spine. “What does that mean?”
Jude snorts, walking away. His dark grey shirt and black slacks hang off his muscular body perfectly, and from behind, his tousled hair is nearly copper in the warm light. He turns to face me, taking a swig from his water bottle.
“It means there are now two thousand more psychos keeping tabs on us.”
My blood cools, and I set the phone down. “That’s creepy as fuck,” I whisper. Before I can ask why a bunch of zealots care about our little shop, Silas walks through the front door. His eyes instantly find mine, and my stomach flutters as his gaze glides over my casual outfit.
“Lennon,” he says, giving me a knowing smile. “You look nice.”
Jude snaps his eyes to Silas, and I hide my smile behind my hand as I fake a cough. I don’t have time to answer him before Damon is walking through the front door.
He winks, and I turn into a puddle in my seat.
I am royally fucked.
“Lennon noticed we got a bunch of new followers,” Jude mentions casually. “Rapture freaks.”
Silas stiffens. “Oh?”
“Yeah,” I answer, sitting up and walking over to him.
I show him the post, and his eyes scan the words before he sighs and hands it back. “He’s just trying to rile us up.”
“But why? What happened–”
“Did you get settled with your things?” Silas asks, his eyes boring into mine.
Fine.
I nod. “Yep. If you’re lucky, maybe I’ll bring some cupcakes tomorrow. Made with love by Betsy.”
Jude chuckles on the other side of the studio, and I glare at him. “Betsy?”
“My mixer,” I add, twisting my lips to the side as I sit back down. “I promise they won’t be vanilla.”
Silas’s eyes find mine at that, and they burn with an intensity that makes me clench my legs together.
You’re going to come for me, Lennon Rose.
I look away as my phone vibrates in my back pocket. I pull it out and answer Lola’s text about the apartment. Apparently, someone is planning on moving in this weekend. I furrow my brows as I reply, wondering where the hell I’m going to go if I don’t find a place soon.
The night carries on normally, though I do notice a few people peeking into the window periodically. Shivering, I give them all my best scowl as I continue making appointments for the guys through the end of the year. I sincerely hope they don’t plan on taking a vacation at any point, because they’re all booked up. I remember to text Mindy and ask if she wants to meet for coffee tomorrow morning, and then I stalk the Instagram account of Church of the Rapture. These guys are total nutjobs, and I feel sick when I think about how I danced with Liam a couple of weeks ago.
Silas is wrapping up his station, and I stand to leave. I’m still tired from missing out on last night’s sleep, so I say goodnight, walk upstairs, and fall fast asleep.
thirty-one
Damon
We lock up, and I climb into Jude’s car. Silas is staying back to do a design for a client. I turn the music off as we drive to the house, and Jude clears his throat when we stop at the main light in town.
“We have to tell her,” he says slowly, his hands gripping the wheel tighter. “She could be in danger.”
I chew on the inside of my cheek. “Nah. Liam wouldn’t fuck with her unless he really had something on us that he could use as collateral, or had a death wish.”
