Lilith's POV
I kick Jarek out of the guest room before dawn, slamming the door and pressing my back against it, heart pounding.
I'm terrified Brielle might catch her brother sneaking out of my room.
But I underestimated how much of a bastard he is.
When the black sedan pulls up, the driver's window rolls down, revealing his smug grin.
My skin prickles, every hair standing on end.
Brielle's eyes widen. "Jarek? You're driving us to school?"
He doesn't answer, just steps out, his gaze locking on me like a wolf stalking prey.
I instinctively retreated, the nape of my neck prickling.
"Get in." He opens the passenger door. A command, not an offer.
I try to hide behind Brielle, but before I can move, he grabs my collar--right in front of her!
"I'm not your chauffeur," he says, fingers tightening, the leather of his gloves hot against my skin. "You sit here."
I glare at him, a low whimper caught in my throat.
How dare he? Brielle's right there!
Sure enough, she jumps in front of me. "What are you doing? Don't bully Lili!"
Jarek chuckled, releasing my collar--only to clamp his hand around the back of my neck, his thumb grinding into my scent gland.
His scent hits me like a wave, making my knees buckle.
"Then choose," he murmured, lips brushing my ear in a whisper only I could hear. "Where do you sit, honey?"
That word sends a shiver through me. He's forcing me, and he doesn't care if Brielle notices. But I do.
I can't let her think I'm some scheming slut after her brother. I can't lose the only friend who's been kind to me.
I shoot him a death glare, then force a smile for Brielle. "It's fine. I'll sit up front...he might not know the way."
Brielle eyes us suspiciously but climbs into the back.
Jarek releases me, but as he turns, his hand sneaks a quick pinch on my ass. I nearly crack a tooth biting back a yelp.
Fucking horny animal.
The second the car door shuts, I know he won't behave.
Brielle's chattering about club activities, but his fingers are already creeping up my thigh, slithering like a snake.
I clamp my knees shut, but he pinches me, hard and mean.
"You--!" I hiss, glaring, only to get his smug chuckle in return.
When we finally reach the school, Brielle hops out, and I fumble for the seatbelt.
Click. The lock snaps shut. My blood runs cold.
His hot body leans over, and grabs my wrist, thumb rubbing my pulse point, teasing. "Come back soon, honey."
His lips crash onto mine, fangs scraping my lower lip.
My heartbeat thunders, threatening to break my ribs.
Bang bang bang!
"Lilith? You okay?" Brielle's knocking on the window is my lifeline.
I bite my kissed-raw lips. "Open the door."
He pulls back slowly, unlocking it. I practically shove the door open, stumbling out.
The cold air stings my flushed face as Brielle jogs up. "Your face is so red! Heatstroke?"
"The lock got stuck," I lie, my heart lurching.
In class, my sweaty palms clutch my phone. The screen lights up with a text,
[Honey, save this number. You'll know what to name me. I'll check later.]
I slam the phone down, nails scraping the desk, earning a glare from the kid in front.
I pretend to fix my books, spine rigid.
When the room quiets, I dare to check the message again. It's like a snake coiled on my screen.
Resigned, I create a new contact.
The blinking cursor mocks me. My finger hovers, then jabs the keys, Jarek.
Honey? In his fucking dreams.
***
For this week, I dodge him. But the more prey runs, the harder the hunter chases.
He shows up as Brielle's big brother--perfectly reasonable, perfectly polite.
Joining his sister for dinner, bringing her friend along. So thoughtful.
I stare at Brielle's text with the restaurant address, my finger frozen over the keyboard.
Saying no to Jarek is easy, but to Brielle?
Her bright, innocent smile flashes in my mind.
I type a reluctant Okay.
At dinner, under the tablecloth, his hand finds my thigh, stroking slowly.
My fingers grip the knife, knuckles white, as I hide my shaking breaths.
"Cold?" he'd murmur, lips grazing my ear.
The perfect act--the doting gentleman.
Brielle looks up. "You're so pale! Is the AC too chilly?"
I grind my teeth to force out words. "No, I'm fine...the food's great."
Brielle beams. "Right? Their escargot is amazing!"
Jarek's low chuckle drips with menace. "Yeah...so delicious."
He's not talking about the food. His hand creeps higher, nearly under my skirt.
Scrape!
I shoot up, my chair screeching across the floor. My napkin falls, wine sloshing in my glass.
"I need the bathroom," I mutter, fleeing without looking at them.
***
In the restroom, I stall, cold water dripping down my pale face as I stare in the mirror.
I want to hide until closing, but Brielle would worry, come looking--and that'd make things worse.
Three deep breaths, and I push the door open.
The hallway's dim, like a fog's settled in.
A tall figure leans against the wall, cigarette glowing. "Done already?" Jarek exhales a smoke ring, his gray-blue eyes glinting. "Thought you'd hide longer."
My blood freezes, legs heavy as lead.
He knew I'd come this way.
He always knows, like a hunter who's mapped every path his prey might take.