Page 18 of Darkness

“Thanks, man. This means a lot.”

Hawk grips my shoulders. “I hope she’s worth it, brother. I don’t know what kind of shit you’re about to bring down on your club, but Miami doesn’t want any part of it. I’ll help you with the cash, but you know I hate this trafficking bullshit.”

I dip my chin. “I hear you. Thanks for the cash. I owe you one.”

“You owe me one hundred and twenty-five K plus interest. But I’ve got your back. Well, most of the time. Now get out of my fucking clubhouse.”

“Not without another damn beer first. It took us four hours to get here. Where’s your hospitality, brother?”

“Fine. Let’s drink,” Hawk relents, and we walk back out into the clubroom.

My mind shifts back to Eva. How is she doing in my bedroom all alone? The first thing I’m doing when I get back is to check on her. Maybe because I’m worried or maybe it’s withdrawal. Either way, I know she’s bad for me.

How do I know?

Because I’m willing to risk everything for a woman I’ve only just met.

Chapter Eight

EVA

I am so tired.

But I can’t sleep.

I won’t.

I have no concept of time. Is it day or night? I don’t know. There are no windows, no natural source of light to give me any kind of clue.

Nycto has been gone for hours. After what happened earlier, I have no idea if he’s even coming back.

Then there’s Ivy. My gorgeous, precious sister. Nycto said she was gone. Sold. I honestly don’t know if I’ll ever see her again. The thought cripples me as I desperately cling to a pillow that smells like my captor. Leather, sandalwood, motor oil, and cigarettes.

I want Nycto to come back for so many reasons. So I can talk to him more about Ivy. Try to find out any clue that might lead me to her or the man who bought her. But also because it’s lonely and boring on my own. I’m exhausted. Hungry. What if nobody ever lets me out?

The door handle rattles and my head snaps to the sound. I scurry up the bed, sitting right at the top, bringing the pillow to my chest for comfort. I have no idea who’s about to come through or what they want.

I’m scared it’s not Nycto. I want it to be him. Because if it’s anyone else, I’m not sure how they’re going to treat me.

The door opens, and a small amount of light from outside shines through. I lean a little to try and catch a glimpse. It must be daylight, as a strong frame comes into view. Nycto. Sunglasses frame his face, making him look like something from a Top Gun movie. My insides growl and stomach tightens in delight as Nycto enters carrying a tray.

“Eva,” he says, his voice low, raspy, like he’s having trouble even saying my name. He closes the door behind him and strides over to me.

I sit forward on the bed, lowering the defensive pillow from my chest. Nycto slowly brings the tray over and places it on the mattress in front of me, then sits beside it.

“You brought me food?” I ask, looking down at the sandwich and milkshake sitting nicely on the tray.

“You need to eat.” His tone is more demanding than considerate. He takes off his sunglasses, and he looks tired. The dark circles around his eyes give him a worried appearance. I won’t let his demeanor lull me into some false sense of security.

I huff, crossing my arms over my chest. “So you can drug me again? Take me somewhere else? Deliver me to some buyer? I don’t think so.”

He groans. “Always so fucking feisty. Here.” He picks up the sandwich in his huge hand, brings it to his delectable lips, and takes a large bite. He chews a few times, swallows, then sticks out his tongue. “And for good measure…” He picks up my shake and sucks a large mouthful through the straw. “Ahh… delicious. Now you try.”

I turn up my nose. “It has your germs on it. I don’t know where your mouth’s been.”

“I know where I’d like my mouth to be,” he murmurs, so low I only just hear it.

“Excuse me?”

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