Page 19 of Rage's Heart

As she stepped onto the porch, she turned back. “Make sure you don’t feed him too much at once. The vet probably told you, but he needs to build up slowly.”

“Got it.”

For a second, she just stood there, like she wanted to say something else. Then she nodded once more and turned toward her car.

I watched her drive away, still feeling some tension from our almost-moment. The more I thought about it, the more pissed I got about some asshole making her uncomfortable in her own home.

Diesel lifted his head as I walked in, watching me with those thoughtful eyes.

“Don’t look at me like that,” I muttered. “I’m not getting involved.”

But even as I said it, I knew I was lying to myself.

Chapter Six

Mac

“What the hell?“ The words tumbled from my lips before I could stop them as the door clicked shut behind.

Four heads swiveled in my direction. Chad and three men I’d never seen before were loafing on my couch with controllers clutched in their hands and beer cans scattered across the coffee table I’d picked up at a yard sale last summer.

My temper started to flare when I got a whiff of cigarette smoke. These assholes had some nerve smoking in my house when Chad knew I was allergic.

“Well, look who finally made it home,“ Chad drawled, that creepy smile spreading across his face.

Heat crawled up my neck as every eye in the room tracked over me.

I clutched my bag closer to my chest, suddenly aware of how vulnerable I was being alone with four men who could easily overpower me.

One of Chad’s friends—a guy with a patchy beard and bloodshot eyes—leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Damn, Sarah didn’t mention her roommate was such a hot piece.”

Another guy, this one with a faded tattoo creeping up his neck, openly ogled me. “Nice tits, Doc.”

My stomach lurched.

Every instinct screamed at me to get out, but I forced myself to calmly walk toward my bedroom, keeping my eyes fixed on the hallway.

“Where are you going, Mac?“ Chad called after me. “Come hang with us. We ordered pizza.”

I didn’t turn around, didn’t acknowledge him. Just kept on walking, one foot in front of the other until I reached my door, slipped inside, and locked it behind me.

“You’ve got to be kidding me, I whispered, sagging against my door as my heart hammered against my ribs.

What the actual hell was Chad thinking, bringing his creepy friends into our apartment? And where was Sarah?

Through the door, I could hear their muffled voices, followed by laughter. My skin crawled when I caught fragments of what they were saying.

“... tight little body on her...“

“... bet she’s a freak in the sheets…“

“... wouldn’t mind getting a piece of...“

I dug my fingers into my palms, anger replacing my initial shock.

This was my home. I paid half the rent. I shouldn’t have to hide in my bedroom like a prisoner.

I grabbed my phone from my bag, ready to call Sarah and demand she deal with her loser boyfriend, but my thumb hesitated over her contact. Shit. She was at work. There wasn’t anything she could do from there.

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