Chapter One Hundred–Fifty–Three
to do the two of Tudora wer downstairs to fix
some codtails. Now that all was quiet, I took a seat on the couch next to admining the ring on her finger. I was still curious as to what prompted her visit. I hadn’t even been in this place for a
“Jou knew he was married,” I say softly, watching her suffen and lower her hand to look at me.
cayes falling over my tank to the bite mark near my shoulder before lifting up again. “I did. But I also knew the
aking my head. “Gomplicated? I don’t know w
94,” she says with a s
knew she wasn’t the one for him, just as he wasnt the one for her.”
ut if you only just met her tonight?” I complain. “I mean if she wasn’t such a bitch, I would have felt sorry for
Draven nods,
“Don’t go feeling guilty now. Especially when it comes to her. I have a feeling there’s more to her
bad jerks up and
the sparkling diamonds and emeralds that now adorn her left ring finger. “It sounded to me like shile. Judging by what I’ve seen so far, I can only assume he was.”
ups suddenly, her lips in a firm line. “He’s not like that. He didnt. He wouldn’t have.”
Ihan to laugh, staring at her incredulously. “They’re not divorced! What the hell do you call me?”
Her eyes soften and she reaches toward me. “You’re different, Felix. I promise, you are.”
sty eyes well up, moisture threatening to spill. I want to believe that I am. I really, really do. But I just can’t see it. “How? How am I
She sighs, scooting closer. “I can’t be the one to answer that question. Its not my place. But I think you know. You don’t want to risk it. You don’t want give any real power to the strange connection you think you have with him, because it feels like a fairytale. But I promise,
I take a deep breath, wondering just how it is that she knows exactly what I’m feeling. Then my eyes find a peculiar mark along her neck,
mine is and I gasp. If she notices what I’m looking at, she doesn’t let on, just smiles. “Where is Rainier? Do
in or around the same
you know? ask.
A quirky smile turns her lips and the nods. “He’s with my fiance and the rest of their… pack,” she laughs.
“Pack,” I repeat absently, thinking that they sound like animals.
“Took,” she says. “Painier asked me to come here and check in on you. He knew he couldn’t be here tonight and he was afraid that when he showed up in the morning that you would be gone.”
I nod, a watery smile cresting my lips. “I was going to be,” 1 admit. I’m still not sure I should stay.”
“I sew,” Draven says slowly, before suddenly reaching out a hand and running her finger along my bite.
I stare at her, noting the silent smile in her eyes as she takes her hand back. “When I first met Domente,” she says. “He didn’t want me
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Chapter One Hundred Fifty–Three
here. He literally ordered Bart rat to hire
keep away from me.” Her eyes go glossy as her hand slides over her fat goomjet something pulling us together. Bi there were things about his
was………, afraid of me. Afraid of… losing me. And I know this wont make
Domonic scared is what pushed Rainier into marrying Angie. For hum
you’re not.”
Things that
“What does that mean?” I whisper, really wanting to understand.
At that exact moment. Tardora comes racing in with our drinks. “Here
She cuts off, looking from Draven to me and then back again.
“What is it?” Draven shoots up, something in Tandora’s voice putting her on instant ade
“There’s been an accident at home,” Taedora says anxiously. “Goose called when 1
the hills”
“Hunters?!” Draven exclaims, her face going white with fright.
“Poachers,” Toedora clarifies, her face deadly serious.
“Domonic” Draven starts, cutting off when Tedora shakes her head.
“Gayle,” Tardora chokes out.
“Oh my God,” Draven hisses.
“Poachers?” I inquire, thinking of the wolf I heard howling two nights agu. “You guys have poachers out here?
Taedora nods, her hazel eyes firing with rage. “They haven’t been adi- in awhile, but in the last two scoffs we se natiod i number of traps we’ve been coming across in the woods”
“Is she…?” Draven asks.
Taedora shakes her head. “I don’t know. But I have to get to Blackjack Creek and I know the plan was for us to stick around betr longer but-”
“No!” Draven says. “You have to go, I understand.” She turns to me. “I don’t think Felix is going anywhere zzyway. Are you Felic”
I sigh heavily, my eyes shuttering. “No, I’m not g
going anywhere. At least, not tonight.”
Do y you have a phone?” Draven asks me.
I shake my head, no. I lost it somewhere. But there’s a landline in this room. An old cordless phone. You gave me your number.
She smiles then hurries to write her number next to the phone. “If you need anything at all, cali
“You’re one of us now,” she whispers and I think of the mark on her neck that matches my own..
she says, grabbing me in a hug
Watching through the window as they leave, I smile to myself. Thinking that for once, I might have actually made a friend.
“Finally alone,” I say, reaching in my back pocket to pull out the note that Rainier 1 for me. I’ve been going crazy on the inside wanting to read it, but knowing I should be alone when I did,
Looking down at the neatly written letter, I smile. His penmanship is a precise as his knife skills are and the thought sends a wave of heat through my belly. The man really is too sexy. As 1 begin to read, tears till my vision again and I end up wishing he was here.
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Chapter One Hundred–Fifty–Three
I read silently at first, only reading out loud near the end. “…I had no idea how much I would want you when you finally came along and no idea how desperate I would be to keep you. So when you asked me if there was anyone else, I didn’t lie to you when I said no. It’s the truth. You are the only one for me, so no, there isn’t anyone else. When explain everything to you tomorrow, I can only hope it will be enough for you to forgive my mistakes. You were wrong about me, I do belong to you, I always have. So, If you’re wondering where i went ‘s just say that I went to find your woll. He and I will both be out there tonight, running through tonight and why I couldn’t be here… the hills and waiting for morning 1 will be back as soon as the sun rises, so please… don’t leave. Love Rainier,” I choke out that last part. I have full on waterworks going by the time I’m finished and little droplets have splattered all over my beautiful note.
Clutching the letter to my chest, I think of what Draven was trying to tell me before she left. About Demonic being afraid of her. Is that what he means when he wrote that he had no idea how much he would want me… Was he afraid of having someone he loved?
“Oh stop it, Felix! You don’t know that he loves you.” But… that is what it sounded like. “I went to find your woll,” 1 read that line again, my brow furrowing. “His eyes,” I say to myself, thinking of the way they looked when he was begging me to stay. “They were crazy…. animal eyes.” I shake myself, folding the note back up and pocketing it once again. “Don’t get ridiculous, Felix. There’s probably a logical explanation for what you saw. Just not one that you can think of right now.”
I chuckle at myself turning away from the window just as the long melodic howl of a wolf sounds in the woods behind the bar.
Oh my God!
I plant my face back in the window once more. My eyes scour the woods for any sign of movement. Another howl, this one closer, has me wanting to step outside and before I can stop myself, that is what I am doing. 1 creep out the back exit, making sure the door is unlocked before I close it behind me. It’s probably around midnight now and the fog is rolling in pretty heavily, so I really can’t see mòch in the
trees.
“Damn it,” I complain, turning around to head back inside.
That’s when I notice the dome light on in Hector’s car and the shadow of a man in the driver’s seat.
