Page 66 of Instinct & New Identity

After we hung up, she looked so defeated.Iset the phone on the counter, placed my hands on the sides of her head, and tilted it up so she could look at me.

“Hey, we’ll figure this out.Iknow it’s easier said than done, but try not to stress about it.”Ikissed her in an attempt to distract her and also becauseIwanted to.

Before things could get too heated, a loud meow came from the doorway.

I broke the kiss, andCatchuckled. “Ithink the beast is demanding food.”

“I’d rather stay here and continue making out with my woman, butI’vealready seen what that evil thing can do when he doesn’t get his way, andI’drather not have him butcher my body any further.”

She apologized but also chuckled.Shewas even more beautiful when she laughed, soIkissed her again, this time quickly.

“Let’s get dressed, feed the dictator, andI’lltake you for a hike around the property and show you the view from the cliff.”

She nodded, kissed me again, and then left to go feed the devil cat.

25

JACK

I felt tingles race up my spine.MySpidey-senses on full alert.Ifelt the man’s eyes on me asIwalked through the front lobby ofVince’sbuilding.

My new furniture was finally delivered to my new place a few hours ago, butIcame back toVince’sloft to grab my overnight bag and stuffIhad left behind.

AsIwalked in,Sandi, who worked behind the reception desk, flagged me that there was a package for me.Notme exactly, but she knewIwas staying inVince’splace, so my guess was it was really for him.ButasIneared the counter,Ifelt those same eyes on me from the waiting area that was off to the side.Aquick glance showed a male, late teens or early twenties in black pants, a black coat, and a black beanie cap.

“Here.Thiswas actually just dropped off.”Sandipopped up from behind the desk to hand me what looked like a black shoebox.

“Uh, no, that’s not him,” the man who had been staring at me called out.

I turned to take him in asSandispoke again. “Yes, it is.Youput unit 5B.Thisis him.”

He looked down at his phone then back up at me. “I, um, must have put the wrong unit,” he spoke and began walking back to the counter.

I assumed he was coming to collect the package, but nowIwas curious, soIstepped in to block him.

“Who is it for?Ican deliver it,”Ioffered, taking in his appearance again, noticing he was not wearing any label indicating what delivery service he worked for. “What’sin it?Food?Chocolates?”

He looked up at me, his eyes wide, then he turned and quickly walked out the front door.Ifroze for a moment, then moved back to the front door, sticking my head out to see where he went, but he was gone.

“That was odd,”Sandiarticulated what we were both thinking. “IthasVince’sname on it and the correct unit.Whatdo you want me to do with it?”

The wheels in my head started spinning.Howdid he knowIwasn’tVincejust by looking at me?Whatdelivery driver would know what you looked like?Whatdelivery driver would stay in the lobby until the person picked the package up?WhatifIhadn’t come back for a few more hours?Wouldhe have waited that whole time?Thenbailed when questions were asked?Somethingwas not adding up right.

“I’ll take it,Sandi.Thanks,”Iresponded asIwalked over to the elevator to go up toVince’splace.

As soon asIgot inside,Iopened the package to see what was in there, then immediately took out my phone and calledArcher.

“What’s up,Jack?” he answered immediately whenIcalled him.

“I think we may be looking at this situation withCatandValthe wrong way,”Icommunicated.

“I’m listening,”Archerresponded.

I toldArchereverything that just happened with the package forVinceand the mystery guy in the lobby.

“Hear me out,”Iinformed him. “Whatif the threat toCatandValwas inadvertent and secondary?Whatif the threat was actually forVince, but the package provided an easier way to get to him by using the girls?”

“But they knew their names,”Archerdisputed.

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