Die For Me (The Consumed Series Book 2)

Emily

Seeing that fucker Jack boiled a blind rage inside of me. I noticed him as we exited the train, his stupid fucking smug smile on his face while he looked down at his phone. I couldn’t believe he had tricked me, and even his best friend, into believing he was some sweet, hopeless, helpless romantic. He was a literal monster in sheep’s clothing.

I had been trying really hard to get back into Hana’s life after she left Michael. However, I knew Jack was controlling her, keeping her to himself and brainwashing her even more than she already was. I had only seen her three times since then. Once by accident when I was on my way to work at a bar in Williamsburg—but we didn’t get to talk much because of Jack, of course, and another time when she and Jack came by the apartment to say happy birthday to Adam. They stayed for five minutes before Jack whisked her away from me again.

I had last seen her at Easter brunch when her parents came into the city and, luckily, they invited me along. Jack was his sociopathic self, being charming and even making Uncle Dan laugh at some stupid joke he made. I sat across from Hana at the table where she sat next to Jack, and she seemed like her normal, happy self. She looked relaxed, she smiled easily and cracked jokes with me like old times. I didn’t know if she was too far gone now. I didn’t know if I could still save her from Jack.

She kept dodging my attempts to hang out with her. She never answered the phone anymore—she only replied by text. I had no idea if I was really texting Hana, or if Jack hijacked our conversations. But now I finally had the chance to stick up to him again like I had all those weeks ago…only this time I wouldn’t fail miserably.

“Jack,” I called out after I stalked him for a few seconds.

He turned around, and his face was blank as he noticed me. Then he plastered on the fakest grin I had ever seen. He stopped, and I walked up to him, feeling brave.

“Emily.” His expression seemed tense as he looked me up and down.

“How’s it goin’?” I asked casually, trying my hardest to sound friendly.

Jack’s eyes widened, seemingly with surprise. “Quite well,” he responded blankly.

I had no idea what I was going to say to him; my previous approach hadn’t worked very well, so I thought maybe I could at least try to be nice this time.

“How’s Hana?” I asked curiously. “What brings you around this side of town?”

He looked annoyed. “She’s great. Didn’t she tell you? We’ve moved back to Williamsburg. Just near the waterfront,” he replied, smiling smugly again.

Fuck. I’ve been working literally blocks away from her this whole time?I felt angry not only at Jack, but at Hana. I hated that I felt that way.

“No, she didn’t.” I put on my best fake smile. “But hey—I work just a couple blocks from there, at that bar called The Pit. You guys should come in, drinks on me,” I offered.

Jack paused before responding. “I don’t think Hana’s up for drinking much lately. But I’ll let her know,” he said and then turned around and walked away.

Hana’s not up for drinking? Since when?Sure, she took it easy around family and she had her meds, but…did she have her meds? Michael mentioned her not taking any of that with her when she vanished the first time.

I hesitated only a few seconds before I decided to follow Jack. If he was on his way home, then I could figure out where they lived. And then maybe I could finally get Hana alone.