Page 91 of Seeking Shadows

“I like winning,” I wink.

To my surprise, he laughs—a soft, shy laugh. “I guess you’d make a good engineer, then. It’s all one big puzzle, really.”

I grimace. “But with numbers.”

“Yes, with numbers,” he chuckles, clearly enjoying my discomfort.

“Well, then I don’t think it would work,” I reply with a grin.

He smiles slightly. “You never know.”

The conversation just flows, which is surprising. He has this reserved vibe, but maybe he just needs a little push.

“What's your name, anyway?” I ask, eager to know more.

“Adam,” he says.

“Nice to meet you, Adam!” I reach my hand out for a shake, then pull it away quickly and point to the menu. “I think I’ll have waffles.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Good choice. But if you want a secret... the milkshake here is even better.”

I grin, loving the tip. “Then I’ll have both!”

He shakes his head but takes the order anyway.

Maybe I made a new friend.

"Do you recommend the strawberry or the Nutella?" I ask, swinging my feet, weighing my options.

Adam—tall, with an easy smile—leans his arms on the counter, clearly enjoying himself. “It depends. Do you like something sweeter, or do you prefer a balance?”

"Ah, I like everything that makes life worth living."

He laughs, and I smile too. But what I don’t notice right away is the shadow looming behind me.

"She doesn't want any."

Zane’s voice cuts through the air, harsh and cold. My smile fades as I turn, fully expecting to see some shadow of him in the distance—but instead, there he is, standing in the doorway, his eyes dark and narrowed at the clerk like he’s ready to rip the man’s soul out with just a glance.

Holy shit, he actually came.

I blink, caught off guard, and for a second, it feels like the air's been sucked out of the room.

Adam raises his hands nervously. "I was just helping."

Zane doesn’t respond. He just grabs my wrist, his touch warm and possessive.

"Zane—"

"Now."

My heart races, but not from fear—there’s something far more dangerous stirring inside me.

He drags me out of the store, his grip unrelenting. Once we reach the alley beside the building, he slams me against the wall, hard enough to knock the breath from my lungs.

“You like this, don’t you?” His voice is low and dark, a predatory growl that makes my stomach tighten with anticipation.

"Of what?" My voice comes out softer than I intended.

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