Page 32 of Caught in His Sights

It’s not the first time I’ve been able to identify a body faster than the police, which is another reason I keep putting myself through these visits.

He slides the drawer back into the refrigerator. “I’m sorry it wasn’t your brother, though I also hope he never ends up on my table.”

“I appreciate that,” I reply, forcing a smile onto my face.

I’m glad I could provide closure for this young man’s family. But at the same time, I can’t help but yearn for that sense of finality that will allow me to move forward in life without the guilt and shame that comes with doing so.

Tears threaten to spill over as I walk away from the morgue on autopilot, riding the elevator up to the main entrance.

Why did I let myself hope this time would be any different?

The bright sun burns my eyes, giving me an excuse to shield them as I head down the block toward home. The path stretches out before me, traveled so often that I don’t need to see the sidewalk to know the dips and rises in the cement. Buildings and signs blur together, my mind elsewhere.

“Stupid, stupid,” I mutter under my breath, the numbness creeping back in.

I knew the likelihood of finding Dylan was slim, and I feel foolish for getting my hopes up again.

The scent of freshly brewed coffee drifts from a cafe as I pass the door, drawing me from my thoughts, and my steps slow.

I peer around at the familiar surroundings as I remember I didn’t come here alone this time. Caleb drove me, and he’s still waiting in the back parking lot for me to come out. I’m so used to doing everything on my own that I blanked out.

As I turn back, I become aware of the danger. Someone out there wants to kill me, and they could be watching my neighborhood right now.

My pace quickens as I hurry back toward the hospital, my pulse racing as I search for any sign I’m being followed.

A shout comes from behind me, and I flinch, spinning toward the sound, only to find a mom chasing her kid across the street.

Relief sweeps through me, and my shoulders sag just as a strong hand grabs my arm and yanks me into the alley between two buildings.

My heart races, fear gripping me like a vise. No thoughts, no time to react—all I know is that I’ve been caught. I open my mouth to scream, but the hand stifles my cry for help as I’m dragged into the darkness.

The cold, damp bricks of the alleyway press against my back as I struggle to escape.

Panic floods through me, and for a moment, helplessness sweeps over me. Then a switch flips in my mind, and I remember the self-defense training I took months ago after Dylan first vanished.

In one swift motion, I stomp down on the man’s foot and twist to break his hold. As he stumbles back, I spin around to jab my fingers toward his eyes.

Before I connect, he catches my wrist in an iron grip and slams me back against the wall. The impact steals my breath, and my heartbeat thunders in my ears. Only then do I catch the familiar scent of Caleb’s pheromones, and time slows.

“Oliver,” Caleb growls, his tone dangerous.

He presses the lengths of our bodies together, and the unmistakable evidence of his arousal nudges at my stomach. My heart races, excitement chasing back the numbness from my mind.

Caleb’s chest heaves. “You need to work on your fighting skills if you hope to escape a real attacker.”

His words ignite a feverish desire in me, and I sweep my arms upward, breaking free of Caleb’s hold. Pulse jack rabbiting, I sprint in the opposite direction of the street, racing deeper into the alley and away from help.

Caleb’s laugh follows me. “Where do you think you’re going, little rabbit?”

He lets me get just past the broad side of a dumpster before he catches me again, his gasps hot on the back of my neck. I shiver and squirm, instinctively shoving my ass backward, seeking his erection. Within the confines of my pants, my dick hardens, and slick coats my entrance, desperate to be filled.

But I don’t want to stop fighting too fast. I lash out again, trying to break free from his hold.

“Be still,” Caleb orders, and the hunger in his voice freezes me in place.

My chest heaves as I struggle to catch my breath, my body hot and heavy under the weight of his dominance.

“Look at you.” He spins me around and shoves me to my knees in the alley, then cups the back of my head, pulling my face closer to the bulge in his pants. “Is this what you want?”

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