Page 27 of Taunt Me (Dark Odyssey 2)

Anyone would think that would be a good thing.

It’s not though. It’s better if he doesn’t.

Better for me.

The thought moves me the minute I think it and I leave.

I leave The Dark Odyssey and close the chapter of my life when I loved Gabriel Giordano.

Loved.

I’m so foolish.

Ten years have passed and I still love him.

I never stopped.

I still love him.

Chapter Eight

Gabe

I race downthe stairs taking them two at a time.

That woman… her presence…

I know I’m crazy but the presence… it felt like her and she looked like my girl.

Charlotte… but how?

I can’t imagine that it would be her and here.

I get to the dance floor and it’s the one fucking time I wish the place wasn’t packed because I can’t see for shit amongst this crowd. I rush over to the archways where she would have gone and I run into Nick and Mia out by the staircase kissing.

They’re here again tonight. Their babysitter must be loving them because these two are always out and look at them making out, like a pair of teenagers.

Mia gets that rosy expression on her face when she sees me and Nick has it too, like his doll’s rubbed off on him.

Fuck.

“Hey Gabe –” Nick starts but I cut in.

“There was a woman, long brown hair wearing a black dress and a gold mask. Did you see her? She would have come this way.” I blurt.

Nick furrows his brows. “Nope didn’t see her, but I’m probably the wrong person to ask.” He glances at Mia who flushes as he gives her a scandalous look.

Fucking prick. I’d grab him in his throat if his wife wasn’t in his presence and we’d probably end up fighting on the stairs. I just don’t want to embarrass him in front of his girl and I’m not in the mood to take a beating from my kid brother who gives as much as he’ll get from me if I decide to lose my shit on him.

So I don’t answer him.

“Gabe, come on man.” Nick smirks.

I don’t answer. I continue down the steps and of course I’m too late. There’s no one around and I was a whole two flights above her, she’s long gone. Whoever she was.

Fuck, I’m fucking losing my fucking mind.

Of course it’s not her.

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