10
“ W ait here, I need to speak to someone.”
Wolfe doesn’t even glance at me as he walks into a large building in the middle of town. It reads as a packing business, and I could take a wild guess and assume that what they’re packing for the club is not legal. Either way, I’m mostly focused on the fact that Wolfe just left me outside, on my own, and we all know that people in this town don’t exactly like me.
“She’s still here.”
A couple of older ladies walking past are already talking about me.
Frustrated, I decide to step inside the building—at least nobody can see me in there.
When I enter the glass door, I don’t see anybody. The reception desk is empty, and it’s remarkably quiet. I walk toward the corridor, wondering if I can find a toilet, as I’m desperate to pee. I keep quiet as I move down the hall, hoping I’m not going to get into trouble for being in here.
Voices alert me that I am, in fact, not alone.
But I hear a familiar voice – Wolfe.
Pausing, I tip my head to the side, listening. I probably shouldn’t, but I can’t help myself. I’m curious as to why he’s here and who he is talking to. I’m surprised when I hear the voice is female, because I was certain he was coming in here to see a man. Coming to a stop, I spend a moment listening.
“When?” Wolfe growls.
“Two months ago, from what I can find.”
“Fuck. This is a problem. It’s a big fuckin’ problem. He wasn’t meant to get out, not for a long fuckin’ time.”
“I know. But, like the first time, they are saying he was wrongly convicted. He somehow managed to weasel his way out.”
“I need to know where he is.”
“I’ll do what I can.”
Who are they talking about?
“Can I help you?”
Spinning around, I see an older man in grey pants and a dark tee, standing and staring at me.
“I was, ah, looking for a toilet.”
He shakes his head suspiciously.
“No toilet here for public use. Go next door.”
Well, I’m not going to stay and argue.
“Sorry,” I mumble, stepping past him and rushing out.
I guess I’m waiting outside after all.
Huffing, I glance next door at a café. Not where I want to go, but I don’t know how long Wolfe is going to be, and I’m busting. Muttering a curse, I hurry to the café and follow the sign that points around the back for the toilet. Going in, I quickly do my business and just as I step out, I see two men standing in the parking lot next to the café block.
Their eyes move toward me, and one of them pushes off the car he’s leaning on and walks in my direction.
“Well, I was right, it is her.”
I take a step toward the toilet door, facing them but making sure I’m close if need be. I don’t trust anyone in this town.
The other man grins. “Told ya it was her, prettier up close.”
“Tell us, girly, is it true? Did you take that girl?”
“Leave me alone,” I say, my voice clipped.
The man walks closer, keeping his grin. He’s tall, skinny, and looks like he hasn’t slept in weeks. He’s clearly high as a kite, his eyes glassy and red.
“Now, girly, we’re not here to cause trouble. Not yet, anyway.”
The other man laughs.
“What do you want?” I snap, trying to keep my face calm even though I’m scared.
“Just want to see what all the fuss is about. You’re a looker. They’d like you in prison.”
I grit my teeth, taking another step back. I don’t want to corner myself, but if I need, I will run into the bathroom.
“Cat got your tongue, sweetheart?”
He steps up close, causing my back to press against the door. Heart racing, I reach behind me to take the door handle, but his hand lashes out, stopping me. Fingers curled tightly around my arm, he hauls me forward.
“Everyone says you’re just like him. I gotta know, are you? Do you kill for fun? Tell me, did you watch him when he took those lives? Did you like it?”
Swallowing the hurt that rises up in my throat, I try to tug my arm away. “Let me go.”
“Can’t do that.”
“You heard her,” a harsh, clipped voice comes from behind the man, and I nearly exhale with relief. “Let her go.”
The man releases me, turning to see Wolfe standing there, cigarette in hand, completely unbothered by these two assholes.
Throwing his hands up, the man steps back. “Wasn’t botherin’ her, man. Was just talkin’ to her.”
Wolfe drops the cigarette, crushing it out with his boot before stepping closer. “You always lay hands on a woman you’re just talkin’ to?”
The man takes another step back.
“You put a single fuckin’ finger on her again, I’ll find you, and I’ll cut your dick off and shove it down your throat. You got me?”
The man nods, and the other man’s eyes widen.
“No harm meant,” he says, quickly, before turning and rushing off.
Once they’re gone, Wolfe turns to me. “What are you doin’ over here?”
“I was just ... I needed to pee,” I whisper, rubbing my arm.
“He hurt you?”
I shake my head, but I’m struggling to fight back the tears. Is it always going to be like this everywhere I go? Are people always going to look at me like I’m some kind of museum piece? Keeping my head down, a single tear rolls down my cheek, and my nose burns. I fight to stop the rest from making themselves known, but it isn’t easy.
“Look at me.”
I shake my head.
“Look at me, Mera.”
Wolfe’s voice is firm, and I lift my head, meeting his eyes.
“Don’t let scum like that make you feel any less, you hear me?”
“Everyone in this town thinks I’m just like him,” I croak. “It doesn’t matter what I do, I’m always going to be the daughter of a god damned killer.”
“Can’t change who you are.”
“No, but I can change being in this town. Maybe you were right, maybe I should leave ...”
He goes silent, and that hurts, because I know he agrees with me.
It doesn’t matter how long I’m around him, his feelings about me are never going to change. He is always going to want me gone, and that stings because I know I can’t do anything to change it. Worse, I wish it would change. I’m developing some kind of attachment to this man, even when he has made it clear he isn’t interested.
“Is there a bar around here?” I ask, looking up at him.
He nods.
“Is it too early to drink?”
His lip tips up, and he shakes his head. “Never too early to drink.”
“Good,” I say, pushing off the door. “Let’s go.”
He might want me to go, but at least he’s willing to sit down and have a drink with me.
It isn’t much, but I’ll take it.
Then, I have no choice but to figure out what my next move is going to be.
I can either stay here and keep fighting, or I can run like I do so well.
The choice, ultimately, is mine.
IN A STARTLING DEVELOPMENT , authorities have uncovered evidence suggesting that the notorious Shadow Butcher, long believed to have acted alone, may have had an accomplice. This revelation comes after a decade of investigation, shedding new light on the infamous case that gripped the nation. The police are now pursuing fresh leads, hoping to bring all those involved to justice and provide closure to the victims' families. This breakthrough marks a significant turning point in the ongoing efforts to unravel the full extent of the crimes committed.
I stare at the television screen, my hand around the ice-cold beer bottle, and even though I’m hearing it with my own ears, I can’t believe it. How is that possible? How could they only be finding this out now? Is it because of the missing girl?
My heart feels as though it has come to a complete stand still, and I fear I’ve forgotten how to breathe.
“Fuck me,” Wolfe growls from beside me. “It never fuckin’ ends.”
I slowly turn, staring at him, my eyes wide. “An accomplice? I never saw my father with anybody, let alone someone willing to help him murder people. How is this possible? I need to call Harry and find out ...”
Wolfe snatches the phone from my hand when I pull it out, his eyes flashing with a warning. “Not right now.”
I stare at him, confused. “Why not?”
“Because you don’t know how involved those cops are.”
I fight the urge to roll my eyes. “No offense, but I think you’re paranoid.”
He stares into my very soul when he growls the next words. “If you’ve seen what I’ve seen, you would know you can’t trust anybody. Let me look into it, I’ll get your answers.”
I bite my lip. I have a choice: I can either trust Wolfe, or go to the police. I can’t have both, he’s making that very clear. Shoulders sagging, I exhale. “Fine.”
“I said I’d help you, Mera, and I will.”
“I hate it when you call me that,” I mumble, more to myself than him.
His mouth tips up, a half smile that makes him look so fucking delicious I am forced to focus on the beer before me so I don’t try and jump his bones. I’ve had that rejection once; I don’t need it again.
“Sorry, Kitten,” he murmurs, his voice low and husky.
He knows what he does to me.
He knows, and he loves it.
“Can I have another beer?” I call out to the bartender, ignoring Wolfe’s intense stare.
He obliges and brings me another beer, then he proceeds to make Wolfe another whiskey without him having to say a single word. Fucking bikers.
“Seriously?”
The familiar voice has me outwardly rolling my eyes as I spin in my chair to see Esme and Harriet walking across the floor toward us. How in the ever-loving hell did she know we were here? Is she following Wolfe? That’s not weird at all.
“Um hello, stalker,” I say, louder than I had anticipated.
I’m a little drunk.
And a little stunned.
So, I’ll say whatever I want.
Esme’s eyes swing to mine, and the hatred burning behind them is enough to bring any normal person to their knees. Not me. She does little to scare me, and I’m quite frankly tired of her crap. I’m in no mood for her today, and I’m more than ready to make sure she knows it.
“What the hell is going on here?” she demands, crossing her arms as she turns her entire body toward Wolfe.
I look over to him and see his eyes are flaring with a deep rage that actually does scare me.
My guess is that he doesn’t like being followed, and he sure as shit doesn’t like being told what to do.
I bite my lip, awaiting the drama about to unfold.
“I’ll give you one chance to tell me you just happened upon me here and that you’re not fuckin’ followin’ me before I completely lose my fuckin’ shit,” he growls.
Oh boy, here we go.
“I was in town, and I saw your bike and figured you were here having a beer. I never assumed you would be with that red headed bitch.”
Well now she’s just pissing me off.
“Excuse me?” I say, before Wolfe can answer.
Esme spins toward me. “Nobody is speaking to you, bitch. You should have left when you were first warned. All you’re doing is causing problems.”
I snort. “Problems? For who? You and your fake relationship?”
“There is nothing fake about it,” she snaps. “He belongs to me, and you’re getting in the way.”
“I belong to fuckin’ nobody,” Wolfe barks, pushing out of his chair and getting right in Esme’s face. “You need to get out before I throw you out.”
“You’re defending her?” Esme gasps.
“No, I’m defendin’ myself. You ain’t my old lady, Esmerelda, and even if you were, you would never come in here and disrespect me like this.”
She shrinks back. “I’m sorry, baby. I just ... I didn’t mean to.”
My eyes widen. Damn, she is really willing to do just about anything to keep him. Shame he doesn’t feel the same way about her.
At least, I don’t think he does.
“Outside, now,” he orders.
She nods, scurrying behind him when he leaves the bar.
I exhale, frustration and a hint of jealousy coursing through my veins. I stare over at Harriet who is watching me with a scowl.
Not tonight, lady. Not tonight.
Without saying a single word to her, I get to my feet and get the hell out of there. I find another spot by the bar and slide onto a stool, swallowing the beer as fast as I can before ordering another one. I’m already well on my way to being drunk, but the thought of Wolfe and Esme out there, kissing and making up, just does something to me.
I’m not the kind of girl to deny my own feelings, I’m very in tune with how I feel, and I make no secret that I have feelings for Wolfe. I don’t make it known to him, of course, but I’m not denying it to myself. It stings knowing he doesn’t feel the same, even more so that he isn’t even a little interested.
“How’s your night?”
The low voice of a man has me turning my head to see a blond-haired, blue-eyed hottie sitting down beside me. He looks like he has come straight out of a football field and into the bar. He is the all-American superstar looking guy, and when he smiles, I could one hundred percent see it being plastered all over magazine covers and modeling campaigns.
He’s gorgeous.
“It could be better,” I say, offering him a smile.
“Mind if I sit here?”
I shake my head. “It’s a free space; you can sit where you like.”
He grins, extending a hand. “I’m Nash.”
Of course that’s his name.
“Mera,” I say, taking his hand and shaking it.
“Can I get you a drink, Mera?”
I point to the beer. “I just got a fresh one, but thanks.”
“Can I keep you company, then?”
I stare at him and think immediately that he wouldn’t be horrible to go home with. No, in fact, he would be lovely to go home with. A good-looking guy like him might be just what I need to take my mind off Wolfe. So, I give him my best smile and nod. “I’d like that.”
He keeps the grin. “What brings you to the bar so early, Mera?”
I could tell him the truth, but that might just scare him off and I don’t want that. Not right now, anyway. “Just a crappy day,” I go with. “What about you?”
He shrugs. “Same.”
“Well, we can wallow together.”
He chuckles. “I like the sound of that.”
“I have to know ...” I smile at him. “Do you play sports?”
He laughs. “That obvious, is it?”
I giggle. “I don’t know. Have you seen yourself lately? You look like some kind of football superstar.”
He snorts. “Maybe not a superstar, but you hit the nail on the head.”
“Well, I have to admit, I’m surprised you’re in here talking to me. I’m quite certain you have women throwing themselves at you on a daily basis.”
He takes a sip of his beer. “Maybe I like the ones who don’t.”
I flush. “Well, I’m sorry to say it, but I might do just that after a few more beers.”
He leans in closer. “I might let you.”
I talk to Nash for at least an hour, and I don’t see Wolfe return in that time. I’m attempting to switch my brain off so I don’t think about exactly where he might be, or what he might be doing. I’ve made a promise to enjoy myself, and I’m planning on keeping it. Besides, Nash is so easy to talk to, I find myself easily distracted by him. When he shuffles closer, and our hands gaze or we lean in to talk really close, I get a little flutter in my chest.
It feels nice to be noticed.
“Leave.”
The gruff voice comes from behind me as I’m leaning in, giggling at something Nash is saying. I straighten and turn to see Wolfe, his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes burning a hole right through Nash’s profile.
“Can I help you?” I ask innocently, offering Wolfe a smile that tells him I’m not here to mess around.
Nash turns to look at him too, his eyes narrowing. “Yeah, man, can we help you?”
“You can help me by gettin’ the fuck away from her.”
Nash looks to me. “Do you know him?”
I shake my head. “Never seen him before in my life.”
Wolfe looks ready to murder me.
“Mera, get up before I fuckin’ get you up.”
Nash narrows his eyes, no doubt wondering what kind of person he has just met in me. I told him my name, which means he now knows that Wolfe does in fact know me, and I just lied to him about it. Great, there goes my evening fun.
“I’m just going to leave you to it,” Nash murmurs, pushing out of the stool and slipping past Wolfe.
I watch him go, then mutter a curse. “Seriously?” I snap. “Why do you have to ruin all my fun?”
Shoving out of the chair, I push through the crowd and out the front doors. I don’t know where exactly I’m going, but that doesn’t stop me from stomping down the street, anger bursting from my seams.
I don’t get far before Wolfe has hold of my arm, and before I know it, he’s shoving me down a small alley and slamming me against the brick wall. I gasp, then shove at his chest, but he will not move.
“Let me go,” I snap, shoving again. “I don’t know who you think you are, but I’m tired of your little games. You don’t get to scare off any man who is even interested in me. I’m horny, god dammit, and I need to fuck. He was going to give me what I needed.”
God. Who am I?
Drunk, that’s who.
Wolfe’s eyes flash, and he leans in close, growling, “You want to fuck, Kitten?”
“Yes, biker. I do. You’ve made it clear you’re not willing to take one for the team, so let me go back in there, to that gorgeous football man, and let him do all the wicked things to me that I need.”
If I’m not mistaken, I see a flash of something other than rage in Wolfe’s gaze. Jealousy? Surely not. He doesn’t seem like the jealous type. What is it then? Does he see me as a challenge? Something he can control? He doesn’t want to fuck me, but he likes the fact that he can stop me fucking anybody else? Is that it?
“And quite honestly,” I go on. “I’m tired of your torment. You are teasing me and leaving me hanging because you think it’s a game. It’s not a game. I’m so damn sick of everyone treating me the way they do. I’m a person, and if I want to be laid down and ravished like I deserve, then I damn well will be.”
God what is wrong with me.
I should just stop talking.
Alcohol and I really don’t mix.
He doesn’t say anything. Instead, he presses his body against mine and takes my chin in his hand, leaning down so close his lips are almost touching mine. Almost. My breath hitches, and I tense all over, praying that this isn’t another one of his little tricks. Getting me to admit how much I want him, then leaving me stranded.
“Why didn’t you just say so?” he murmurs.
“Fuck you.”
“With pleasure.”
His lips close over mine, and it feels as though the whole world stops.
Kissing Wolfe is like stepping into a storm, where everything around you is spinning, intense and electrifying. His lips are firm yet soft, moving with a confidence that sends shockwaves down my spine. The taste of him is intoxicating, a mix of whiskey and something uniquely him, a flavor that lingers and makes me crave more.
His hands are possessive, one cupping my chin, the other pulling me closer, as if he can't get enough. The heat of his body against mine is overwhelming, a fire that spreads through my veins, igniting every nerve ending. I feel his breath, warm and ragged, mingling with mine, creating a rhythm that is both chaotic and perfect.
As his tongue teases mine, a low growl escapes him, vibrating through me, making my knees weak and my body tense with anticipation. It's a kiss that demands everything, a perfect match to him. It's raw, consuming, and utterly addictive, a moment where the world fades away, and all that exists is the two of us, together, my obsession with him scarily strong.
He knows how much I want him, and I do nothing to hide that fact.
It’s daylight out, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that nothing is going to get in my way right now.
Nothing.
“Tell me,” he growls, “do you want foreplay or do you want to be fucked?”
As much as I’d love to stand here and keep kissing him, or feel his fingers inside me, even better, his tongue, I know that isn’t really an option. If we are caught, the chance of him being inside me is that much less, and I’m not willing to give it up.
“You already know the answer to that,” I murmur.
His mouth moves to my neck, and I shiver. “Just wanted to hear you say it.”
“I’m not giving you that satisfaction.”
He chuckles, and my pussy clenches.
Reaching down, he unbuttons my jeans and pushes them down my hips. Nerves swim through me at the thought of getting caught right now, but it’s also weirdly thrilling at the same time. I shove the jeans aside quickly, and Wolfe wastes no time pushing my panties aside and hauling me up onto his hips. God, I’ve always wanted to be fucked like this. Always.
“Do it deep,” I moan when his fingers swipe through my damp flesh. “And hard.”
“Fuck,” he growls. “Dirty girl.”
He doesn’t hesitate a second longer—he reaches for his jeans, jerking them down and freeing his cock.
“Hang onto me,” he growls, shoving a hand into his pocket and producing a condom. “Then roll this on.”
Oh.
My.
I take the condom, and using one hand to hold his shoulder, I rip it open with my teeth, tossing the packet to the ground before placing it over the head of his cock. While I’ve seen it before, I’m still stunned by just how impressive his dick actually is. Hard and thick, the piercing through the end, the veins poking out just enough to make it look dangerous. Gosh, this is going to feel incredible.
I slowly roll the condom down, letting the warmth of his dick brush against my fingers as I drag it, inch by inch, down his length until he’s covered. Then, I meet his blazing gaze and lick my lips. His eyes drop to my lips and he rasps, “Fuck you’re somethin’ else.”
“You can tell me all about that later,” I say, playfully. “Can you fuck me now?”
He grins, and then slowly sinks me onto his dick.
I stretch and burn around him, not having been with anyone for quite some time. At least a year, maybe more. I lost count. So the feeling of being filled, especially by someone that I am more than a little infatuated with, sends shivers up my spine. I clutch him as I hiss through gritted teeth, waiting for my body to adjust.
“Fuck,” he growls, “tightest little cunt I’ve ever felt. Jesus.”
A compliment I’ll take.
“It’s safe to say,” I gasp, nails digging into his shoulders, “that it has been a while.”
Whimpering, I clench my teeth as he finally sinks in all the way.
God. Yes.
Pure heaven.
“You ready?” he rasps into my ear.
“Yes.”
Then, he starts fucking me. Slow and steady at first, the perfect roll of his hips as he clutches my ass, then he picks up the pace, sliding his cock in and out, slamming against me, his huge body surrounding mine. It’s sensational, and the moans of pleasure that come from my lips is loud enough to draw attention, but I don’t care.
I don’t care about a single thing.
“Yes,” I gasp. “Fuck.”
His fingers bite into my flesh and his growls of pleasure send a thrill through my body. Knowing that he feels good because he’s inside me is exhilarating. Blissfully slow, the pleasure builds from the very inside of me, slowly stretching out until I’m so close to finding my release that I don’t even realizing my nails are drawing blood on his shoulders.
“What the fuck?”
The scream, coming from a woman, has our blissful moment coming to an abrupt halt.
“No,” I groan. “No. No. No.”
I already know who it is.
Once again, Esme has ruined a moment.
Wolfe mutters an angry curse, releasing me and pulling away, leaving me empty and ashamed.
Jerking his jeans up, he turns just in time for Esme to rush forward and slap him, so hard his head swings to the side. I press myself against the wall, panting, too nervous to move and take my jeans back. Esme looks like she might just murder someone, and I don’t want to be in her path.
“God, once again, I fucked up,” Esme shouts. “I was coming to tell you I’m sorry, to tell you that you were right about everything, and I find you here with her? With that? What the fuck, Rook?”
Ouch.
“We’ve been over this shit,” Wolfe growls. “Don’t belong to you, Esmerelda.”
“And you’ve made that very clear,” her voice cracks, and for a moment, I feel for her, “But that doesn’t mean that I don’t love you, god dammit. All this time, and this is all I mean to you.”
The silence in the air is deafening.
I reach for my jeans now.
“Don’t fucking move, you slut,” Esme shouts at me.
I stare at her, eyes wide. Gone is the moment of compassion I had for her.
“Excuse me?” I snap.
“Everything was perfect until you came into town. You’re fucking destroying everything, and I won’t have it.”
“Esmerelda, enough,” Wolfe growls. “We ain’t in a fuckin’ relationship.”
“How many other women have you fucked since you’ve been fucking me, Wolfe?” she screams, and it’s the first time I’ve heard her use his real name.
“Not now.”
“How many?” she shrieks.
“Fuckin’ none. Now I said, enough.”
“I can’t believe you,” she whispers, her voice broken.
Dammit.
Now I feel bad again.
Turning, tears rolling down her cheeks, she runs out of the alley.
Wolfe turns to me, his eyes a mix of emotion. Does he care about her? If he did, why would he be with me? Confusion washes through me, and a touch of hurt that I don’t like. I’m falling for him, and in this moment right now, he’s about to show me if that means anything to him.
Our eyes remain locked for long, agonizing seconds, then he turns his back to me.
He turns away, going after her.
And just like that, my entire world collapses.