Page 68 of Forbidden Flesh

“Where did you go?”

“I dropped her off at the stop sign and told her to get the fuck out of my car. Do you think for a second that I would choose Melissa over Melody? I chose Melissa to protect Melody from Melissa. She would destroy her, and you know it.”

“She played you.” He shakes his head. “She knew you would protect her. Melissa played you so that Melody would be vulnerable.”

“You don’t think I know that?”

“Does Melody know about Melissa? About…”

“No. She doesn’t know, and what her brother does know is that he is sworn to secrecy and cannot tell her. She won’t know until she chooses. She’s Prey, Azriel. There are rules, and even I can’t break them.”

He leans his elbows on the table with his face in his hands. He can’t help her, and he hates it.

“What do you plan to do?” he mumbles.

“She’s Prey… and I’m the biggest predator.”

“How about the other problem?” he asks, looking up curiously.

“That is where you’ll help me.”

He smiles, but it’s like he knows something I don’t.

“She’s here for another reason, isn’t she?”

Sometimes I wonder who’s smarter.

“What do you mean?”

“She’s different.” He shakes his head and looks out at the pool through the glass window. “She’s here because she needs to be. She’s unstable right now. You know that, right?”

“It’s why I’m going to need your help.”

“Fine, but don’t hold me back this time.”

“Deal.”

“Hey, I didn’t know you worked here,” Rose greets me with a smile.

“You found me,” I reply, mustering a grin.

She scans the crowded diner. “This is a productive way to spend your Saturday nights.”

I need to make all the money I can until Zack and his idiot friends find out I’m back working here.

“What can I get you?” I ask.

“Um...” She scans the menu. “Sprite... and a salad, no dressing.”

“I got it,” I say, writing it down.

She looks thinner, but I don’t point it out.

“Hey, want to hang out?” she asks, hopefully. “Not at a party or anything. I was thinking in my dorm. What time do you get off?”

I don’t want to go back home tonight. I keep waking up in the middle of the night, not remembering where I am.

“Sure. I get off in about an hour.”

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