Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 30557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 153(@200wpm)___ 122(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 153(@200wpm)___ 122(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
“Candy, please come back here,” my boss calls out. I slam my eyes shut, attempting to hold back the bile rising up in my throat.
I step into his office behind the kitchen area. I don’t like being alone with him because he’s too handsy like he’s seconds from doing something disgusting to me if given a chance. He’d already had his hand on my waist this morning, almost making me want to vomit. Anyone touching me makes me feel like it’s a violation against Sebastian, which is stupid because he’s just a dumb decision I made months ago.
“Yes, sir.”
“Close the door.”
“Um, sir. There’s an issue with the register,” Allie says, coming into the back room before he can get me alone. I send up a silent prayer and calm down. We all walk back out to the front of the restaurant, and then I see a man in a suit that feels out of place. I don’t know him, but his eyes are trained on me instantly.
My heart picks up, racing heavily, and I feel sick. “Are you well?” Allie asks, pressing her hand to my head.
“I don’t feel good, and my shift is almost over.”
“I still need to speak with you,” my boss says.
“Can’t it wait? It’s clear she’s sick,” Allie exclaims. I take care of my last table and then head into the back to grab my things. Frankly, I don’t want to talk to him at this moment because I’m already on edge, and I have a bad feeling that if he got me alone, something bad would happen.
Grabbing my coat, I make my way to the train and take it to my apartment, which my friend hooked me up with. Her husband has been incredibly nice about it all, and I’m grateful that I’ve got somewhere to lay my head while I earn enough money to make it on my own.
I feel eyes on me all the way to my apartment, but I don’t see anyone around. I’m being completely paranoid and losing it. The sounds of the city play in my ears. There are cars honking as the light changes, and the driver doesn’t go right away because someone’s crossing against the light. It’s like they’re asking to be hit by a car by jaywalking like that. The train running along the tracks above my head, roaring loudly.
Heels tapping on the pavement with every step, and people talking on their phones as they march along the city. It’s chaos and a city symphony at the same time, and yet, there’s a silence I sense. A quiet that lingers in my bones that unnerves me. Someone is watching me.
As soon as I’m in my apartment, I slam the door shut and lock it, pinning my back against the wooden door, and release a heavy sigh.
A smile creeps over my face, and I relax. I’m just going insane. My apartment is empty, and I look around to find nothing out of place, like every other day. I kick off my shoes and walk into my bedroom so I can rest for a minute, and that’s when I see a simple white envelope on my bed.
“Oh my God,” I gasped, knowing someone was in here. I reach for the card, praying it’s from my friend. I open the envelope to find a simple white card with a firm, dark script.
Did you think you could run from me, mi dulce?
He found me. I fall back on the bed and look around the room, searching for him in any hidden corner, but he’s not lurking. I peek out the edge of the curtains and don’t see anyone watching, so I quickly gather my things before he can reach me. After knowing what he did to my mother, there’s no doubt what he’d do to me. The taunt and then following me all the way to Chicago can only mean one thing: he’s out for revenge.
I crossed someone dangerous. Tears fall down my face like a foolish girl. All those nights of dreaming of him were for nothing because I’ve danced with the devil and now I’m about to meet my fate.
Grabbing my suitcase from the closet, I pack it up as fast as humanly possible and make it to the door, but as I open it, I’m met with a sight that stills me. “Sebastian.”
He’s on me in a flash, one arm around my waist and his hand gripping the side of my face, eyes staring deep into mine with his thumb rubbing my chin. “You can’t outrun the devil, my sweet.”
“I’m sorry. Please let me go.”
“Not going to happen.”
I need to get out of his grasp. I reach out, grab his lapels, and send my knee upward, meeting his crotch. He snarls and I attempt to run, but he’s too fast and has me by my hair, yanking me back into his arms. This time, I feel the cold steel.