Page 20 of Inferno

More and more tidbits of information register the longer I stare at him. “You have his eyes. And nose, lips, hair, voice. You have it all. But he died. This isn’t possible.”

“Who died? What are you talking about?”

The way he asks the questions almost sounds as if he already knows the answers, and fear wars with the shock and confusion coursing through me.

“What’s your last name?”

“What?”

“You told me your name is Dean,” I say, trying to maintain my composure. “His name was Dean. What’s your last name?”

His face falls, and he swallows. “Haskins.”

That’s it. I officially belong in the nuthouse.

“You died after saving me in that fire,” I accuse. “How is it that you’re standing right here, alive and breathing?”

Inferno thrusts a hand through his hair, mussing it up, and it takes all my will power to ignore the way it makes him even more attractive.

Not the time or place.

“It’s not what you think,” he says calmly. He reaches for me, but I back away. “Emmy, I swear, it’s not what you think.”

“Then what the hell is it?!” I shriek. “Because none of this makes sense.”

He heaves a sigh. “It was my father who saved you. I’m Dean Haskins Jr.”

“Your…” The boa constrictor wrapped around my body eases slightly. “I didn’t know he had a kid.”

Somehow, that makes my savior’s death worse than it already was.

“It’s okay. I was real young when it happened so I don’t really remember him.”

“You look exactly like him.”

He rocks back on his heels. “So I’ve been told.” When he reaches for me again, I don’t move away. He settles his hand on my arm. “Please, let me take you home. I’ve gotta be safer than a stranger driving an Uber.”

I contemplate his words, mentally weighing the pros and cons. Despite my better judgment—or maybe because of it—I nod.

“Yeah, okay.”

Inferno relaxes and urges me closer to the bike. “I meant what I said… hold on tight, okay?”

I throw my leg over the seat, and he puts the helmet back on my head.

“I will.”

10

Inferno

My cock twitches when Emmy shifts behind me. Having her so close is the sweetest torture. I thought for sure I’d blown it back at work, but my god was on my side.

Before I pulled out of the parking lot, she gave me her address and basic directions on how to get there. I wisely kept my mouth shut and didn’t mention that I already knew where she lives.

When I turn onto her street, my nerves kick up. I feel like I’m taking a girl home from a first date, and I have to decide whether or not a goodnight kiss is okay.

Better not. Not yet anyway.

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