Page 123 of Our Little Monster
I sat on the edge of the rumpled sheets, my bare skin prickling with the cool air as I reached for my clothes. There was something decadently intimate about the disarray of the room—the two glasses stained with the residue of red wine and my lipstick on the bedside table, along with his shirt thrown carelessly over the back of a chair.
Ronan’s breath was warm on my shoulder, his kisses light and lingering. I threaded my arms through the sleeves of my shirt, the fabric hanging loose and unbuttoned over my torso. His hand traced the line of my spine, sending shivers down my body.
“When will I see you again?” Ronan’s voice was a low murmur against my skin, full of a longing that matched the tight pull in my chest.
“In a few days. I promise I’ll be back in time,” I murmured.
“Alright. If you don’t come back, I guess I’ll know my answer,” Ronan said, his voice a mix of jest and vulnerability as he rolled onto his back.
I turned to face him, meeting the intensity of his gray gaze, which held something more than just the aftermath of pleasure; it was brimming with an emotion I dared not name just yet.
He lay there, an embodiment of raw beauty and exposed desire, the sheets barely covering all his curves of lean muscle. His dark hair tousled, his thick five o’clock shadow only adding to his rugged sexiness. The sight of him, so open and unguarded, sent a pang through me, a reminder of all we stood to lose.
I finished tying my shoes, the simple action grounding me. I leaned over him then, and our lips met in a long, lingering kiss. His taste was familiar, a unique blend that was undeniably Ronan—undeniably mine. He was mine.
Reluctantly breaking away, I caught his gaze one last time.
“Take care of yourself,” I whispered, more a command than a request. With a final glance at the rumpled bed, I rose to my feet.
My heart was a tight knot in my chest, each step towards the door unraveling it bit by bit. It was never easy leaving. But we both had jobs to do. Responsibilities to take care of.
I closed the door behind me, the click of the latch echoing like a soft farewell I didn’t want, one that I was never ready for.
The door of my old truck creaked as I swung it open, the familiar scent of aged leather and gasoline greeting me like an old friend. I slid onto the driver’s seat, a frayed patchwork of colors worn down by time and memories. With a turn of the key, the engine rumbled to life, a stubborn growl that spoke of resilience despite years of wear.
I paused for a moment, hands resting on the steering wheel, the heat of Ronan’s kiss still lingering on my lips. Just then, the ring of my phone sliced through the silence. I fished the battered device from the pocket of my jeans, Serina’s name flashing across the screen for a facetime call. I answered and her eyes were puffy, her hair a mess, and she was ashen.
“Damn, you look like shit, Serina. What happened to you?” I asked, worry lacing my tone.
“Went on hunt, hunt went bad,” she coughed, groaning through the pain. She moved the phone to show me her wounds. “I need your help,” she said, sounding weak.
“I’m not close enough, Serina. Go to a hospital, call 911—you’ll die.” My words grew more panicked by the second.
“Where are you?” she questioned, but I swiftly changed the subject back to her.
“Get to the hospital now. I’ll be there in a few days,” I urged. Fuck, if she waited much longer, she wouldn’t make it.
My mind spiraled into a whirlwind of panic, thoughts scattering like leaves in a storm. Fear gripped me tightly, squeezing every ounce of rationality from my grasp. I could feel my hands trembling against the grip of the steering wheel. I couldn’t lose her too. Not after everything we had been through. My pulse echoed in my ears.
“What about Bri? How far out is she?” Serina asked on a whimper that broke my heart.
“She’s taking care of another hunt, and I haven’t heard from her the last few days. I don’t know where she is right now; she could be even further away than me. Forget someone coming to save you, Serina, get your ass to the hospital. Now,” I commanded and begged.
“I’ve used this name for too many hospital visits, Sam, I can’t. Besides, I think they’re catching on…
“The last hunt I went on, I overheard them talking about intercepting our information to be lying in wait for us to show up. I’m assuming that would also mean they could get access to our fake IDs, passports, etc. What hunts were going on, sounds like the hunted want to become the hunters,” she said.
I huffed, “Thanks for the heads up, cousin, but I’m sure we’ll be fine. I’m good at what I do.”
“I know…” she said, closing her eyes a moment. Another wave of panic rolled through me.
“Serina! Get to the fucking hospital… please.” I pleaded, the pain in my voice evident.
Her throat worked. “I know where I can go,” she finally said.
“Where? Please say the hospital.”
“It’s a long story. Stay safe, I love you,” she said, and if looks could kill she would already be dead…she faintly smiled back at me.
