Chapter Twelve
Trace
Even though Azlan left me to go to my room and rest for the night, I was too wired from the events in the club to sleep or even make it to my room.
And there were things my mind needed to sift through.
For one, our animals bonded while we were shifted. Not something I planned or even thought was possible but they did. My bear was head over heels for his wolf.
Neither of us said a word about it, but that didn’t make it any less true.
In a few days, Azlan was going to leave. I would be a memory to him. Maybe someone who he thought of who made him smile.
But I was already addicted to him after one night.
Boy, my heart was in trouble.
The kink affected me as well. Knowing that I had finally found someone to trust enough to try those things…again, I was deeper than I ever imagined.
My feet took me toward the villa of their own accord, probably pushed by my bear, but I stopped before reaching the open area as my mind focused. Shit. I shouldn’t be roaming the areas where the mafia men were.
They were still here, as guests, as far as I knew.
I had no proof whatsoever, other than my gut, that they were the same men I was practically sold to, but taking chances wasn’t in the cards tonight.
I took a seat near one of the lush garden beds under the shade of a tree and waited. I still needed fresh air to clear my mind, but I also had to stay safe.
I wanted to run to Azlan. Go to his door and knock, needing him to save me from the bad men, but as much as I already adored him, I didn’t want his sympathy or for him to see me as some victim.
He was on vacation, and I was a part of his good time.
He was not my alpha to run to when I was in trouble.
As though my thoughts had summoned them, I heard voices coming from the other side of the common area. Low voices. Lots of them. The heavy scent of cologne and some kind of overpowering hair product reached my nose, and I froze. I knew that scent.
The same scent that came from the men who were at my door that night, there to collect their card-game winnings. Looking at me like I was nothing more than a poker chip they’d left at the table and came to retrieve.
Fuck. I should’ve stayed in my room. Taken Azlan’s advice and gotten some rest.
The group of men came around the corner and, despite my bear and I knowing exactly who they were, I held my breath. They’d only gotten a look at me once and then probably a picture my ex had after that.
They wouldn’t recognize me.
It was dark.
The group passed me as I turned to pretend to gaze at the succulent bed behind me. I waited a few minutes and then turned, only to find myself face to face with a larger man with sunglasses on. At night.
“Hey, how are you?” he said.
“I’m fine. Thank you.”
“Maybe we’ll see each other later,” he said and pulled down his glasses. And winked.
I’d never needed a shower more in my life than in that moment.
“Have a good night, sir.”
He caught up with the other men but by that time, I was already on my way out.
I was still dressed in the clothes from the club and had nothing to my name except for the borrowed outfit and the wallet in my back pocket, but I took off toward the highway.
It was at least twelve miles away, maybe more, but I could travel through the night and try to hitch a ride to the airport or somewhere else safe.
Anywhere but here.
Before I left the grounds, I stopped and looked over my shoulder. Azlan wouldn’t know what happened to me. He would think I didn’t care. That I deserted what could’ve been.
He might grow to dislike me one day.
Good. Then he would be far from danger because it seemed like no matter where I went, those guys were after me.