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She doesn’t give any indication she knows what I am, but then again, neither do I.

I have no way of positively identifying her as the same one from Nicoli’s house, but all the facts indicate she is. I should text the guys and tell them I found her. They’ll probably all come here to scope her out for themselves. That fact stops me. I want a little longer with her before she becomes a suspect.

When she turns to the next man at the bar, dismissing me, I want to flay him alive. She gives him the same smile, and I realize this is a customer service smile and not the real thing, but it’s still gorgeous.

I want her genuine smile, though.

A few patrons later and I’m still trying to draw her back to me. I’m contemplating releasing a few pheromones to draw her in, but that would affect the whole bar. And I don’t want her that way. I want her towantme.

My phone is buzzing relentlessly in my pocket. I’m sure they’re worried about me or at least wondering where the car is. I should tell them I’m fine, but I’m pretty sure I’ll get a lecture as soon as I answer. I’ll just ignore them a little longer.

She’s been polite all night without giving anyone more attention than she has to. She keeps scanning the room like she’s watching for something or someone.

When she leans closer to a guy around the same age as her, a sensation that feels suspiciously like jealousy settles in my gut.

What does he have that I don’t?

I shake the feeling off. What the hell is happening here? I have never felt jealousy in my life. I’m sure I’ve inspired it in plenty of people before, but it’s never affected me.

I’m so caught up I almost miss the guy immediately exiting the bar. Did she kick him out? His actions are almost robotic.

She passes me as she leaves through the back door. I don’t sense arousal on her, so at least I can calm down about that.

But what is she doing?

I put money on the bar under my empty glass and head out the front door to follow her.

Eight

Anna

The loser I sent out here is waiting for me by the dumpster. It’s become my usual program. I see a predator, I compel him out here, and I come to take care of the problem. The ritual is soothing at this point.

I was almost distracted by a guy at the end of the bar. He was dangerously attractive with his black hair, smokey grey eyes, and jawline sharp enough to cut glass. There’s something almost addicting about that one.

I push the image out of my mind.

Focusing on the human, I question him, then compel him to never hurt anyone again. I love that I have the power to change lives like this. I won’t lie; it’s a small power trip.

I saw him cornering a scared girl at the back of the bar. I would have intervened if I hadn’t been momentarily distracted. Thankfully, she managed to escape after kicking him between the legs. She grabbed her friend and left immediately.

“You won’t remember me or anything that happened tonight,” I compel him.

I lean closer to his neck, watching his pulse thrum. I’m about to take a bite out of him when a sexy drawl interrupts me.

“Feeding on humans? Tsk, tsk, that’s frowned upon.”

I freeze.

Without letting my captive free, I turn around to face the sexy guy from the bar. He leans against the brick wall with his hands in his pockets. My eyes rake over him, assessing if he’s a threat. He smirks as my eyes catch on the bulging muscles of his forearms.

“You know what I am.” It’s a statement, not a question.

“Yes, I’m a bit more observant than you. You don’t know what I am?” He asks.

Is he a shifter? Damn, this vampire nose for only smelling blood. I can’t tell when someone isn’t human unless I taste their blood or they’re bleeding. At least, as far as I know.

“No, I don’t. Care to enlighten me?” I raise an eyebrow in challenge.

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