Total pages in book: 169
Estimated words: 167671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 838(@200wpm)___ 671(@250wpm)___ 559(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 167671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 838(@200wpm)___ 671(@250wpm)___ 559(@300wpm)
“So … care to tell me why a dude from the Skull and Serpent Society is sneaking up on me?” She narrows her eyes. “Because you do realize I know you’re friends with them, right?”
Well damn. For a second there, I almost forgot Silas and Heath existed.
“I just wanted to talk to you,” I say.
“Yeah, right.”
“No, I mean it.” I clear my throat. “I saw you … before they even noticed you.”
She gives me a skeptical look before bursting into laughter. “Good one.”
She passes by me and walks off, so I saunter behind her, determined to see this through.
I follow in her footsteps. “Wait. It’s not a lie. I’m not here because of them. I want to get to know you.”
“Really?” she scoffs. “Why do you even think you want to? Because Silas chased me around?”
“Because you seem nice, and you’re… gorgeous.”
She pauses for a second. “You think I’m nice and gorgeous?” A laugh bursts out of her like she tried to keep it together but failed.
God, why am I such an idiot when it comes to girls? I always know what to say to the guys, but girls? Girls scare me.
“Look, I don’t mean this in a bad way, but I don’t trust you. You’re friends with Rivera and Preston.”
“So?” I shrug. I don’t see the problem.
“This isn’t going to work.” She turns around again, but I don’t give up that easily.
“Wow. Hold on. You’re going to deny me just because of who I hang out with?” I ask.
“Yup. You got that right.”
“I’m not my friends,” I say.
“But you’re close.”
“That doesn’t mean anything.”
“Yeah, it does.” Suddenly, she stops in her tracks and looks right at me. “You know why they’re after me, right?”
I shrug. “I don’t care.”
She makes a confused face. “You don’t care that I stole from your society?”
I empty my pockets and take out the change. “Steal whatever you want. I’m broke anyway. I don’t have anything, so I can’t lose anything either. Except my heart.”
She snorts. “That doesn’t make any sense.”
“I know, but neither does my attraction to you, yet here I am.”
Her face turns pale as snow, and I realize I may have said that out loud.
Oh God.
Suddenly, her stomach growls, and she holds her hands in front of her belly. “You didn’t hear that.”
“Yes, I did.” I smile and place my hand on her shoulder. “I promise you, I am not interested in whatever reason those guys are after you. Just … let me take you out for a late lunch or early dinner. It’s on me.”
She eyes me up and down like she’s trying to determine the weight of my words.
“I know a fantastic place downtown, Sammy’s Sandwich Shop. He has the best teriyaki chicken sandwiches you could ever taste. Like, they make you want to eat ten of them. I’m not kidding. Drool-worthy.”
She snorts again, so I add a smile.
“Please?” I murmur. “I know we got off on the wrong foot. But will you please let me take you out for a sandwich?” I ask. “No strings attached.”
She sighs out loud and sizes me up again. “Okay, fine.”
I make a fist and hiss to myself, “Yes.”
But her chuckle clearly gives away that she heard it too. “Just food.” She raises a finger. “That’s it.”
“Got it,” I say with a big grin.
She snorts. “You are one persistent motherfucker, you know that?”
A proud smirk forms on my face. “You don’t even know how much.” I wink. “Meet me by the fountain in an hour.”
An hour later
I put on my jacket and comb through my hair in the mirror, ensuring I look nice before I waltz out the door. But the minute I do, Heath grabs my shoulders and stops me in my tracks.
“Wow, where are you going dressed up so nicely?”
“Out,” I reply.
He frowns. “With who?”
“You know who.” I make a face. “You told me to talk to her.”
“Oh …” His brows wriggle, and he bites the piercing on his lip. “Why didn’t you say so?”
I sigh. “Because I don’t want you to ruin it.”
“Ruin what?” He snorts, and he points at my chest. “Remember why we’re doing this.”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, yeah, we’re catching a thief.”
“Exactly.” He fishes a wad of cash from his pocket and stuffs it in my hands. “Keep this. Bring it with you to wherever you’re going. Make sure it’s visible at some point.”
I frown, confused. “Oh-kay…”
What is he trying to do here?
He leans in and whispers, “Don’t ask why. Just do it.”
His voice lulls me into submission. “Fine.”
“Good boy.”
My heart beats in my throat, but then he releases me and shoves me out the door. “Have fun with that little thief.”
CHAPTER 7
Ivy
I’m waiting near the overgrown entrance gates with my bike in my hand when a motorcycle stops right next to me, and for a second, I glare with furrowed brows until he takes off his helmet.