Page 52 of The Savage King

I swallow and watch him walk out the door. Looking every inch, the powerful predator he is while I feel like his prey.

Which for a second, as my body shivers, I want to be.

I hand over the cash, and by the time the checkout assistant rings up all our items and puts them in a bag, I’m pretty sure he’s ripped me off considering I have no idea what the currency is worth.

“Ready?” Decker asks, reaching for the plastic bag as he walks back in.

I’m about to say yes when he reaches out his other hand and simply flips over his palm. The guy sighs, digs into his pocket, and hands back three notes.

“Smart move,” Decker grunts and takes my hand, tugging me out of the store.

I’m getting annoyed that his confidence keeps wetting my panties. This is going to be a long trip home. Thank goodness he has lousy taste in music.

So, there’s that.

CHEETOS ARE NOT my usual breakfast, although I’m munching on them like it’s the last meal I’ll ever eat.

It still might be.

I chase them with my soda, licking the orange powder off my fingers and go back to my calorific snack.

Decker glances over, and I hear a low groan when Taylor stops singing just before the chorus.

We made small talk and fought over the music—clearly, I won—and now I’m relishing in this oddly peaceful vibe as we drive through Mexico.

Earlier, I took off my jacket and rolled up the borrowed jeans to stay cool since it’s hot. The sun is starting to lift on the horizon and the sky is a golden blue.

I’m even relaxed enough to take in the view, and it occurs to me that Mexico is a very beautiful country. The colors are incredible, and I’ve seen glimpses of the Pacific Ocean, which I never thought I’d see in my lifetime.

I’ve seen the ocean but not the Pacific.

The bright blue water reminds me of Mia’s family home on Long Island and the events that occurred there. I’m still processing it, but my heart is breaking from wondering how my friends are.

“Do you think Mia is dead?” I ask Decker abruptly.

He shoots me a look as he lifts the bottle of iced coffee to his lips. After he takes a drink, he puts it in the cup holder and nods.

“Yeah, there was a lot of blood,” he replies. “So there’s a good chance.”

I feel myself pale, and suddenly, my appetite is gone. I scrunch the bag up and stuff it in the glove box, next to those god-awful cigarettes.

Now that the immediate danger to my life is over, I’m thinking again about what my friends and family must be going through, knowing I’m missing.

How does Todd feel about it? I know we’re not in love, but is he heartbroken, wondering if I’m dead?

Or just annoyed I’m not making our regular Monday dinner so he can remind me of my duties.

I let out a private laugh as I stare out the window.

But it’s my parents I’m really concerned about. Decker wouldn’t let me call them while in the mansion, and I understand that, but now we are free. I need to reach out to them.

“Do you have your phone?” I ask Decker. “I need to phone my parents and tell them I’m safe.”

Decker grips the wheel and shoots me a dark look. “You’re not safe.”

I gape at him.

“What do you mean? We got away.” I feel a cold chill run through me.

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