Page 24 of Dancing with the Devil

Slipping down an alleyway, I sprinted onto the sidewalk. Looking left and right, I turned right, running up the sidewalk.They were still behind me.

“Fuck!” I grunted as my body hit the hard concrete floor. My head snapped back to Sylvester and his men, and I quickly got to my feet, mindlessly apologizing to the person I had just knocked into.

Turning back I watched Sylvester look in the opposite direction of me and my heart thudded as I turned forward to run.

“Uh, I— sor— God!” I groaned, trying to step around him but he stepped in front of me with every step I took.

With panic rising inside of me, I looked back and saw the men charging in my direction.Shit.

Grabbing said man’s arm, I walked backward and pulled him with me. When my back hit the wall I grabbed his face between both of my hands, smashing my lips onto his.

Slowly, his hands gripped my hips as his entire body shielded mine. As soon as our lips touched, jolts of electricity shot throughout my entire body.

I pulled his face closer to mine and his tongue lightly brushed my bottom lip. Slightly parting my lips, I allowed his tongue to slide into my mouth, slowly brushing against mine. His hands trailed up to my waist as he pulled my body closer to his and warmth erupted between us.

The heat between my thighs grew dangerously fast; my legs going numb underneath his touch and familiar scent.

Feeling completely lost in his touch, my fingers slowly ran up the nape of his neck and into his hair. Steadily, pulled away, completely mesmerized by the way this man kissed.

Instinctively, my head snapped to the direction of the men and they were gone. I got onto my toes and looked over the stranger’s shoulder.Gone.

I turned to walk but he grabbed my arm. “What was that?”

“What?” I asked, looking around, still feeling on edge. They’re still gone but I have a feeling it won’t be for too long.

“You bumped into me then kissed me.”

“Oh. Yeah. Sorry,” I quickly apologized looking down the alleyway opposite us.

“Look at me,” he almost insisted but his voice. “Look at me when I’m speaking,” he said, grabbing my face in his hands with a gentle force.Mr. Stalker.

“Oh—sorry,” I shook my head. “Ireallyam sorry, I wasn’t thinking. These men were chasing me and I looked back, for like a second, and then I panicked and since you’re so big I just—I didn’t—no, sorry, I have to go,” I finally said, stepping past him but froze at the sight of the Sylvester and his men standing a few feet in front of me.

Swallowing the lump of fear down my throat, I took a few steps back and my back hitMr. Stalkerschest. “These men?” he asked and I breathlessly nodded.Oh no.

This is it. I—Nirah Joy Valentino—am going to get kidnapped. They’re going to kidnap me. Or worse.Tortureme. What if they kill me—oh, God. This is how the amazing Nirah Joy goes out. It’s been fun…

“There’s my little athlete,” Sylvester grinned—mockingly—while stepping out from between the two men. “Miss me, you little whore?” he asked with another step that pulsed fear through me. He clutched his gun in his waistband, and my mouth wet dry. “Don’t try anything funny,” he warned.

My heart pounded in my ears as I fought back my fear. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me surrender.

“Go into the building.” My body froze when the stranger behind me spoke

“If I move. They move,” I said, still looking at Sylvester.

“Go into the building, Nirah,” he repeated himself and I exhaled a shaky breath. My eyes burned as I took a step forward. Sylvester tried to match my step but stopped mid step. His bodytensed as he looked down to my waist. Goosebumps trailed up my spine as Sylvester’s sinister eyes met mine.

Rushing into the hotel building with two glass doors, I shut the door behind me as I turned to them. Walking backwards, I watched the two men converse.

Putting both hands behind his back, the stranger took a step forward and Sylvester a step back. The stranger nodded his head towards the building and steam practically shot out of Sylvester’s ears.

I turned my back on them, clutching my cellphone in my hand. I stared down at my bright screen, before dialing the number I’ve dreaded for years.Nereus. As soon as the call connected with a click, my heart sunk.

“Nirah?”

“What the fuck have you gotten us into, Nereus?” I snapped, and momentary silence expanded between us.

“Nirah I can explain, okay?”