Page 594 of The Tempted
Chapter Twenty-six
Something was wrong.
This time I didn’t have to wait for the sadistic voice to poison me with foolish thoughts.
This time I felt it with every fiber of my being.
With every crack of my heart.
The inbox you are trying to reach is full.
I disconnected the call and shoved the phone into my pocketbook before I ran my fingers through my hair and stared up at the gray sky willing myself not to cry. I blew out a breath and tried to tell myself that I was overreacting that I was used to bad things happening and didn’t know how to enjoy the good.
But I couldn’t shake the feeling my world was crumbling, and I didn’t even receive an invitation to the end.
I grabbed my mother’s keys from my purse and started for the campus parking lot when I heard someone call my name.
“Lacey, wait up!” I turned on my heel and saw Brandon running across the grass with a smile on his face.
“Shit,” I muttered. Why won’t this guy get the hint?
“You in a hurry?”
“Actually, I am,” I said, forcing a smile.
“I was going to ask you if you wanted to go grab a quick bite,” he said, shoving his hands in his pockets as he flashed a smile. He had such perfectly straight teeth and a smile so white he looked like a poster boy for Colgate.
“That would be nice Brandon but I’m…I’m seeing someone.”
“The old biker guy? Come on, Lace, you’re not serious are you?”
“Lacey,” I corrected through gritted teeth.
Only the people who loved me called me Lace.
“Yes, the biker and as for his age…,” I shrugged my shoulders. “Well, let’s just say I skipped past the two decades a guy feels he needs to be an adolescent. Blackie’s a man, not a boy trying to become one.” I smiled sweetly.
Brandon’s eyebrows drew together in confusion.
Exhibit A.
Poor bastard didn’t even know when he was being schooled.
He had about another decade of the stupidity left.
“Thanks for the offer. I’m sure you’ll find another date,” I added, turning around and leaving the dumb-fucked boy in the grass.
I made my way to the parking lot, found my mom’s car and was about to climb into the car when I spotted the Harley parked two rows over. My eyes moved from the chrome to the man straddling it, taking in the unmistakable reaper sewn into the back of his leather vest. I slammed the door to my car and stalked across the two rows, watching the prospect turn around and meet my gaze.
I had seen him a few times when Blackie was still in the hospital and my father was keeping a watchful eye out, making sure Blackie was protected. I didn’t remember his name though, causing me to glance at the patch that declared his road name.
Mack.
Where the fuck was Blackie?
I lifted my eyes to his and crossed my arms under my breasts as I studied him.
“Who sent you?” I asked, hanging on to whatever strength I could muster up before I had no choice but to surrender.
