God, it hurts even now.

Everywhere still hurts, and I think I might have bled a little, just enough to feel that continuous sting between my legs.

I sucked in breath, resting my hands against the countertop to take a breather because I needed it. Collecting myself, I dried my hair.

After I finished, I walked towards the doorway, but I didn’t emerge fully, just sneaking a peek.

He was still here.

Zade had taken off his shirt because of that earlier splash. He was on call, hanging out at my reading table.

Coco and Boba were on top, eager for attention. I have noticed they were always like this whenever he was around, just like that night when I had a fever.

I saw Zade giving them treats. Maybe they crowded him, hoping he was gonna pull out a mechanism from his pocket.

Zade’s mouth moved, but I couldn’t tell what he was saying. He ran his hand through Boba’s fur, my clingiest baby ever, who was purring with eyes closed as if touched by heaven.

Boba only acted that way towards me. Not my baby!

Zade’s eyes connected with mine, and a smile that hadn’t been there crept on his lips like a pending heartache for me.

He ended the call, coming towards me in an effortless stride.

I stepped away from my peeking position and stood with my chin lifted, but that pride of mine was reduced to ribbons when he clasped his hand around my neck and kissed me.

It happened so suddenly, I didn’t have time to close my eyes. I was motionless like a statue as his lips roamed me in a quick hunger as if to soothe his nerves.

He pulled his moist lips away, swiping a tongue over them, and I’m suddenly tempted to taste them again, this time taking the lead.

Fuck no, Ana!

I shot my eyes back to his amused gaze. Those gemstone eyes of his were at their peak tonight, and aided by the dark, they sparkled dangerously.

I admit... Zade has beautiful eyes. Now, I have to pray each day that he smokes his cigars nonstop for my sake so that I don’t have to deal with this... fancy.

"Sweet dreams, little kitten. I’ll see you tomorrow."

I watched him leave, the door closing behind him, and the sharp click followed next.

I just stood there glaring at the door, not with anger but as if to will him back here.

I shook my head. I’m not thinking straight tonight. I’m still infected by what happened. That’s it. Nothing a good night sleep wouldn’t fix.

But I doubt I would have any proper one or any in fact.

Boba and Coco were poking their nose around something, so I walked closer to check what had them in mystery.

It was an ointment jar, similar to the one he left at my dresser that one time. I could already hear that teasing voice telling me what to do.

Irritated, I trashed it.

~☆~

Caleb: Be careful.

I have been trying to comprehend the text Caleb sent me. He texted this morning, and it was the first thing I saw after waking up from a very short sleep.

I tried to reply, but I couldn’t. I first thought it was the wifi or something, but ever since the renovation, I have had no trouble getting signals.

The only text that had gone through to Caleb was the first one I sent: ’Hi.’ Every message after that had failed.

Did he somehow restrict my messages? That was the only explanation I could think of.

The distant rumble of an engine reached my ears. I neared the windows, but I couldn’t see from this angle, so I got out through the balcony.

I rarely come out of there, but today I did, and I wondered why I hadn’t done this more often because the view was amazing.

Damn. Do the Salveros really have all these acres of land? It looks like a fucking country, no wonder it takes so long to drive out of this place.

I rested my arms on the balustrade, eyeing the three cars that pulled up at the compound.

Two visitors stepped out of the vehicles. It was Elliot who greeted them, and he shook hands with the man. There was a beautiful woman beside him who appeared to be his wife.

The man had ginger hair with a stubble, and the woman had dark hair.

Other than the wedding dinner, this was the second time visitors had set foot in the manor.

Another visitor came out of the last car, casually adjusting the collar of his polo shirt. He had ginger hair just like the man. Their son, maybe?

He walked to Elliot and embraced him like an old-time friend reunion or something.

Briefly, just for a moment, the man who hugged Elliot passed a quick look around as if caught up by nostalgia, and then his eyes found me.

I wasn’t sure he could see me, but the moment we made eye contact, I realized he could.

The sunlight seemed to bother him, so he raised a hand to shield his eyes, but that didn’t stop him from trying to make me out.

The sound of a knock pulled my attention, and when I looked back at the visitors, they were already being led into the house.

I walked back inside the room to answer the door.

"Who is it?"

"Luca."

I opened the door. "You knocked this time, that’s an improvement."

"I’m being a good boy."

Before I could say anything, he let himself in.

"Really?"

"There you are!" he scooped up Coco in his arms, who looked at me as if demanding an explanation.

I’m sorry, baby.

"So... we have visitors," I began.

"Oh, you saw them already. Those were the Russos."

"The Russos?"

Why does that name sound familiar?

Then it clicked. Dante had mentioned that name at the shooting grounds. They were the ones joining us for the hunt.