Page 20 of Savage Seduction

“Right now?”

“Now… please.”

There is a long pause on the other end. I know my best friend well enough to know she is trying to decipher the situation. “On my way. Twenty minutes, tops. I’ll call you when I get there.”

“Thank you, London. I owe you one.”

“More than one if we’re keeping track.” She clears her throat. “You’d better hope I don’t try and collect all at once.”

I smile. “See you soon.” I disconnect the call and look down at myself. Nearly air dried, but still naked, I turn and rush into the bedroom to throw on some clothes.

My phone rings and I jump. “Hey, you’re here?” I ask.

“Yeah,” London replies. “Can you come get your cat?”

“Chubs is still out there?”

“He’s flicking his tail back and forth at me as we speak.”

I open the front door, and there's Chubs, backed up to the door like he's guarding his castle. I reach down and pick him up. “Chubby, she’s one of the good people.”

Chubs yowls and won’t tear his glare from the perceived intruder.

“You know he really is harmless, just doesn’t trust too many people,” I say with a shrug.

“Yeah, I know. He seems a little more aggressive tonight than he usually does.” London slips past us into the apartment. “Excuse me if I don’t pet your attack cat.”

I smile at Chubs and scratch him under the chin. He purrs under my touch. “You’re a good boy.” I put him down on the ground and close the door. “I’m surprised he was there. He usually disappears to wherever he beds in for the night by dusk.”

London steps closer to me with outstretched arms. “I at least get a hug for coming all the way down here, right?”

“Of course.” I lean into her embrace, wrapping my arms around her in return, starting to feel like maybe I overreacted. I pull away from her and look at her black leather jacket and designer jeans. “Looking pretty snazzy for a weekday night. You smell good too.”

She turns away and shifts her stance like she does whenever she feels questioned. “I was planning a date night tonight.”

“You were?” Guilt and self-loathing sink in as I realize my fear and insecurity have now also ruined my best friend’s evening plans. “Have you mentioned him to me before?”

“Nope, we connected on an app tonight, and after a thorough background check including bank account balances, previous work history, and a snoop through his socials, I accepted.” She walks over to the sofa, sits down and looks at the TV, which is still on but muted. “I never knew you to watch reality television. What’s this anyway?” She reaches for the remote.

“There’s so much I need to tell you right now, but I have to ask… why did you snoop through that poor guy’s online life before accepting a date? Isn’t getting to know the person the entire point of going on the date in the first place?”

“Yes,” she sighs. “I tried… I really, really tried this time. But when it’s so easy to take a peek, it’s hard not to.”

“Even when it’s illegal?” I cringe, hearing my Abuela’s tone in my voice.

She winks at me and says, “Enough about me. Let’s talk about you and why you dragged me over here tonight.”

“I think he’s alive.” The knot in my stomach tightens as I say it aloud for the first time.

“Who’s alive?” She looks at my hands. “You’re shaking, Max. What’s the matter?” She stands and leads me to the sofa. “Sit with me.”

I sit and shove my hands under my legs to keep from wringing them.London’s my best friend in the whole wide world. So why haven’t I told her about what’s been happening to me? She’ll believe me, won’t she?“The… Butcher.” My voice is raspy with fear and disgust.

London’s face contorts, her mouth pinched, eyes narrow.She opens her mouth but doesn’t speak for a second. She wipes her brow, sighs, and shakes her head. “No. Have you talked to someone about this?”

“I called you.”

“You know what I’m talking about, Max.” She crosses her arms. “Your shrink. Have you talked to your shrink?”

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