Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“Thank you.”
“It’s not a compliment,” he says matter-of-factly. “Your father has spoken with me about your…” He pauses and smirks before he adds, “Colorful thoughts.”
“Yes.” I don’t bother to hide it—what would be the point? This man can see right through me and has the information I want.
“It would stem from your childhood.” His words make my stomach clench.
“What do you mean?”
“Your father took you hunting a lot, not for the Society, just hunting in general. If I recall correctly, you even saw him hunt a person.”
“I’m sorry, what?” This new information takes me aback, and I can feel the nerves skyrocketing in my stomach.
“You were there by mistake. The Hunts are usually only for members of the Society, but you were present. I was the only one to see you because I lived off your father’s words and orders and couldn’t step away. Yet I remember you. It’s normal for that type of thing to be suppressed.”
I shake my head, my father is in the Society. I’m not even sure how to process that. “They hunt people.”
“I won’t go into details, but I think we should make a plan to meet once a week. I’d suggest you stay far away from all the men in the Society, especially if you plan on keeping your head. And I’m not saying this to protect you. I’m saying this for the sole fact that I owe your father.” He leans forward. “I couldn’t care less if you died walking out my door.” He sits back in the chair and smiles. “How does next Friday at nine work for you?”
“I don’t need therapy,” I state.
“Oh, but you do. Tell me, Lilith,”—one side of his lip quirks up— “does the blood turn you on?” I gasp at his question and wonder how he knows that, but he simply chuckles. “You didn’t immediately say no, so your non-answer is good enough. Let’s wrap this up. And remember, stay the fuck away from the Society. I will not protect you if they find out who you are.”
“I don’t need your protection,” I growl, getting to my feet.
“If you say so.” He waves to the door, not bothering to get up. I walk out and don’t look back. When I get to my car, I look up to find him staring down at me from his window, a small smile playing on his lips.
How deep was my father in the Society?
How much of my childhood don’t I remember?
I always believed my father was a bad man, and no one ever corrected me. My aunt never spoke much about what he did. He was caught red-handed, killing someone. And now he’s in prison for the rest of his life. That’s all I know.
Deven is standing next to my car as I walk out of the grocery store. I huff out a sigh at seeing him. His hands are in his pockets, and his shoulders are slumped as he looks around.
“Deven,” I say as I approach with my arms full of groceries.
“Lil, how are you? I saw your car and wanted to stop by and say hello.”
I move past him and open the trunk, placing my bags in there before I shut it. When I turn, he’s blocking my way to the driver’s side door.
“Look, I left her, okay? I realize I fucked up. I do. But it’s you I’ve always wanted.” He scratches the back of his head. “Would you consider coming back?” he pleads.
“Please move, Deven.”
“Lil,” he says in a voice that feels like nails on a damn chalkboard.
“I have to go. Have a nice life.”
He reaches for me, gripping my arm, and leans in. “Do you want it rough? I saw the way that man choked you when he fucked you in our house.”
“If you don’t remove your hand, I will remove it for you.” I glare at him, and he rolls his eyes at me.
“It’s what you want, right?” His grip tightens on my arm, and I know it’s going to leave a mark—stupid asshole.
“Last chance,” I warn. He doesn’t listen. Instead, he keeps a tight hold on my wrist.
“You never needed me, Lil. I wanted to be needed.” He sounds desperate and crazy all at the same time.
“That sounds like a you issue.”
“Fucking hell, Lil.” He pulls on my arm, and it starts to hurt. Before he can do anything else, I turn to face him. Hope blossoms on his face, but just as quickly, I lift my knee and slam it straight into his useless cock. He releases me and drops to a crouch. I lift my foot and kick him, and he rolls to the ground in a ball.
Stepping over him, I get in my car, start it up, and fucking leave with a squeal of the wheels and kicking up a few stones as I go. I had planned to go straight back to the cheap-ass apartment I rented this week because I’ve been living in motels and whatever is cheap for the last year, but I change my mind and head to my aunt’s house instead. She never had kids of her own, but raising me, she tried to give me a normal life. Even if she was a drunk and had no business raising a kid.