Page 19 of My Hunger, Your Soul

“Sorry, my hand slipped,” I say as I pack away my things.

“I noticed,” Carlos says and we both laugh. Again, I look over at Simon who I’m pretty sure wants to kill me and Carlos.

“Thank you again for your assistance, Ivan. We’ve got it from here,” Carlos says.

“Great. Now let's get out of here, as I need to get back,” Dima says as he shakes hands with Carlos. Myself and Jules also shake his hand, but of course, sulky Si just glares at him.

“No goodbye, little lion?” Carlos says, and smiles like he knows what those words do to Si.

“You’re a fucking asshole. Don’t talk to me,” Simon says as he goes to shoulder push Carlos, but Carlos grabs his arm.

“Careful, little lion,” Carlos warns in a low voice that I’ve not heard from him before. He’s a deathly predator dressed in a sexy costume to show the world different. But I can see the real him. Evil recognizes evil.

Before I have a chance to say anything, Simon rears back his clenched fist and punches Carlos across the face. His guards immediately jump to grab Si.

“Get the fuck off me,” Si shouts.

Oh shit.

Carlos laughs loudly as he watches Simon struggle against his men.

“Carlos, I'm sure we can work this out,” Dima says, trying to de-escalate the situation.

“No, it's fine. Let him go. But you now owe me, Simon.”

“I don’t owe you anything.”

“Simon. Shut the fuck up before I put a bullet in your head myself,” Dima shouts.

Carlos rubs his jaw and orders his men to release Simon and turns his attention to D.

“He’s quite the liability, Dima. But I’m a reasonable man. I’ll forget this whole thing, as long as Simon fulfills whatever request I have for him. One favor in return for his freedom.”

“When?” Dima asks.

“What! You can’t be serious Dima, he fucking deserved it!”

“Simon. Shut it!” Dima roars. Simon looks down at the ground in defeat and steps back.

“There is no timeframe. He’s lucky I'm allowing him to walk away. Other men in his position would be dead.”

“We understand. Don’t we Simon?” Dima asks with a look that warns him he better play along.

“Fine,” he grits out as he storms out of the room.

“I’ll be in touch, little lion,” Carlos calls out to Si as he walks away. He momentarily stops, clenching his fists before retreating.

“I don’t know what his problem is,” Dima mutters to Carlos.

“Oh I do. Don’t worry. He’ll be fine. We need to finish up here so you can see yourselves out,” Carlos says before focusing on the two dumbasses.

“See you around, Carlos,” I say as I grab my shit and head out with Dima, Jules and Si.

13

TYLER

It’s Monday morning, and it’s like my first day of school. Stomach full of nerves, unable to eat for fear of being sick. All because of the text Ivan sent me last week. I’ve spent days over analyzing and dissecting the crudest—yet most erotic—text I’ve ever received. I thought I was going to pass out when it popped up at work, and ever since, all I can think about is my dick and what Ivan said he would do to me. Why did it send a thrill of desire through me when I read it? Why am I terrified? Is it because it's Ivan? Is it nerves about going there with another man? I don’t fucking know. All I know is that today will be torture having to be in his presence, and I just know he will take full advantage of making me as uncomfortable as possible. He likes to play games and I just want to pretend this whole interaction between us never happened. I was tempted a handful of times to call Chase and ask for his advice, but I’m too embarrassed.

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