Page 61 of Sinful Wrath

“There’s an emergency exit back here that leads to the back alley alongside the club,” she explains.

“Thanks so much.” I exhale, feeling relieved.

“D-do you want me to call the police?”

“Oh no, I’m fine,” I assure her. “I just wanted to lose the creep that kept ogling me in there. I appreciate the help.”

She hesitates for a moment longer before nodding and disappearing back out into the corridor.

I take one long deep breath before forcing open the emergency exit and hurrying outside.

The cold air steals the breath from my lungs as I make my way toward the main street.

Despite the hour, there’re people everywhere, and I can’t make out the shady man from the bar among them. I’m hoping he decided I wasn’t worth the effort, but I can’t take any chances.

I need to get home, fast.

Being out this late and alone is stupid and irresponsible, even for me.

I always take a cab, but the queues outside the club for ataxi are a mile long, and I’m already running late if I want to make it back before Mikhail.

Slipping off my heels, I break into a run and head toward the park across the street. The orange glow of the street lights illuminates the path as I run, my chest burning from the cold air in my lungs.

Glancing over my shoulder, I notice someone entering the park. Even with the street lights, I can’t make out much more than their outline, but I don’t want to take any chances.

I dart into the bushes and crouch low on the frozen ground, my breath clouding in front of my face as I peer through a gap in the leaves.

“Oh, my god.” I clutch a hand to my throat as I watch the stranger begin to walk toward the very spot where I’m hiding, my eyes instantly going to the snake tattoo on his neck.

Any other time, I would be able to take him down with one swift kick to the chest. Or better yet, I could jam the stiletto of my heel right into his neck.

But I’ve drank almost a bottle and a half of champagne, and my reflexes are anything but sharp.

For a split second, I think about caving and calling Mikhail. He would be here in a heartbeat, and I know he wouldn’t stop until he had this man bleeding out on the ground.

While he may not have touched me, the threat is still there, and Mikhail has made it perfectly clear that my safety is his number one priority.

And once again, I have thrown that in his face.

Stupid.

There’s no way I can call him now, which leaves mewith one option. The moment this guy’s back is turned, I have to make a run for it.

Holding my breath, I wait for him to grow bored and begin to walk deeper into the park.

My heart is pounding so loudly in my ears, and the alcohol sits heavy in my stomach.

I want nothing more than to empty the contents onto the ground beside me, but I can’t risk drawing any attention.

It’s almost funny how ironic this situation is. I went partying to avoid my nightmares, and yet they still found me.

It seems I can never be free of the darkness.

The moment the man disappears from sight, I get to my feet and make a run for it, and I don’t stop until I reach the townhouse. I take a quick look around, but it seems I lost whoever was trying to follow me, for now.

I feel as if my heart is about to explode out of my chest as I begin to climb the fire escape, not just from all of the running but from fear.

I never should have disobeyed Mikhail. How could I have been so stupid?

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