Page 12 of Slaughter

Lightning flashes again just as he pulls away from my neck. I look up at him, and he gives me a soft smile. “That’s enough for me.” Then we’re covered in darkness once again.

The door to the bathroom swings open and in walks my best friend, Alex. “Girl, what the hell are you doing in here?” she demands.

“This is the women’s bathroom,” I reply, looking around aimlessly. I can still feel Avery in here. My body is covered in goose bumps. My skin burns from where his hands were on me. I can still smell him. And my pussy still begs for another touch of his fingers.

“I know, but you’ve been gone forever. I got worried.” She places her hands on her hips. “Why are you on this nasty ass floor?”

“I … uh …” I lick my suddenly dry lips. “Needed a second,” I lie lamely.

She arches a dark brow as if she knows I’m full of shit. “And what is on your face?” Her nose scrunches in confusion. “Is that sweat?” I shake my head and hold out my right hand. She grabs it in hers and helps me to stand. “What the hell have you done to yourself?” she asks, yanking the paper towel from my free hand to clean the black streaks off my cheeks. I stay frozen in place.

My legs shake, and my mind is still foggy from the man who was dead to me. But like a ghost, he has come back to haunt me. And even though I haven’t seen the man in eleven years, I know nothing good can come from his presence. “I need a drink,” I blurt out. That’s what I need. More alcohol.

“Well then, come on. They aren’t gonna serve you in the bathroom.”

CHAPTER FOUR

AVERY

I’VE BEEN IN NEW YORK for two weeks now, and I’m ready to leave. This is not the place for me. I grew up here in New York City but moved to Vancouver when I was nineteen. Right after Bunny broke my heart. I couldn’t bear to be anywhere near her. I knew the odds of running into her were too strong because our circle was too tight. Our parents had been best friends before we were even born. We grew up together and then fell in love. After she left me, my father suggested I move to Vancouver with my grandfather.

I never looked back until I got that phone call two weeks ago and realized her life was in danger. I’m her only hope, but I have to be honest, I won’t be the kind of help she wants.

I may hate her, but they don’t deserve her. She would be useful to me. And if anyone is going to use her, it’s gonna be me. She owes me that! She owes me fucking everything!

I’m being a selfish prick, but I don’t care.

Tonight has been like any other night. She left her house and went out to a bar dressed in a little skirt and top with all of her assets on display. She caught every man’s eyes, but one caught mine. The same black-eyed man from the club last weekend who took her picture. Well, tonight he decided to make his move. Damon must know I’m on her. It’s not like I’ve tried to stay under the radar, but someone must have seen me, so he ordered them to make their move. She took the bait so fucking easy, making me want to slap the fuck out of her.

I sat back all night and watched her drink like a fucking fish until she accidentally stumbled into him, and then he offered to take her home. He’s like all the others I’ve seen over the past two weeks—too eager to fuck her. All she has to do is look their way, and they start panting with need.

It’s sickening.

But I know this guy is different. She doesn’t know he’s a hired rat. He won’t just fuck her; he’ll take her afterward, and her world will never be the same. I may be no different, but I am the better choice.

I sit in the back seat of the blacked-out Mercedes across the street from her house. It’s smaller than I expected. Her mom and dad left her and Preston with millions when they died, so I figured she would have a penthouse overlooking Central Park. Instead, she lives in a little townhome. Preston sure does live it up. The guy blows as much money on real estate around the world as he does on his expensive whores and drugs.

“Sir?” Kayn breaks the silence from the driver’s seat. “What’s the plan?”

“Wait,” I answer.

They stumble up the stairs to her front door. Well, she really does stumble, but his is just for show. She throws her head back laughing when she almost trips, and he grabs her by the arm just in time when they hit the landing. They trip over each other’s feet and fall against her front door. His hands go to her hips, his face to her neck, and she closes her eyes while her bright red lips part.

My cock hardens even as my jaw tightens. When did she become such a fucking slut?

He finally pulls away, and she opens her door before they disappear inside. I take a drink, finishing off the scotch, and then place the now empty glass on the seat beside me. “Let’s go,” I order, climbing out of the back of the car.

“Am I waiting on you, sir?” he asks while making our way toward the house.

“No,” I answer, straightening my black tie. I’ll get a ride.

I place my hand on the doorknob and turn. It opens for me, and I silently curse her for being so caught up in the idiot that she left it unlocked.

The sounds of moans and sighs fill the entrance of her house. It’s nothing as I expected it to be. Her favorite color used to be pink, but now it seems to be black and gray. Void of any color and lacking any pictures or décor. It feels cold and empty. Just like her heart.

“God, baby …” He groans.

“You like that?” She gives a soft laugh.

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