Page 59 of Forgotten Sacrifice

“Sports betting is a scam,” I call after them.

Vince’s brother chuckles, wiping down the bar. “I like you.”

“Your brother doesn’t feel the same.”

“My brother’s had a stick up his ass for years; maybe you can help him pull it out.”

I wrinkle my nose. “No thanks. What’s your name?”

“Aldo.”

“This your bar?”

“Yes indeed.”

I take a sip of my drink, considering. “Why does your brother have a stick up his ass?”

Aldo shrugs. “You’d have to ask him that.”

I snort a laugh. “We’re not exactly BFFs.”

He cocks his head. “No, I’d imagine not.”

I want to ask him more questions, but a man bellies up to the other side of the bar, and Aldo winks at me, walking off.

Chapter

Twenty-Four

Luna

Tucked under the covers, I stare at the ceiling as the minutes on the clock tick by. Waiting until midnight—surely the fun police is asleep by now—I sit up and gently place my feet on the floor, tiptoeing to the window.

Getting the blasted thing open, I pause for a moment, my heart racing. Not hearing any footsteps, I slip on my heels before climbing out the window.

Taking a deep breath, I begin the precarious climb down the lattice. I let go and hop down the rest of the way, turning around and nearly jumping out of my skin.

An amused Vince is seated in a lawn chair. “Impressive. Not the plan—saw that coming a mile away—but that you were able to execute it while wearing those heels.”

I take off running, only to hear Vince curse as he easily catches up to me. Banding his arms around me, he jerks my body to his as we skitter to a stop. I lose my balance, but his arms keep me from eating dirt. I thrashwildly against his hold. “Stop it before you hurt yourself.”

“What do you care if I hurt myself?” I struggle futilely.

Vinceclickshis tongue. “This teenage angst routine is getting old.”

“Newsflash: my angst has nothing to do with my age, and everything to do with being your prisoner!”

“You wanna go out so bad, let’s go. I’ll drive you.”

“Really?” I eye him suspiciously.

“Sure. Let’s go.” He releases me, and I follow him to the garage, making sure not to check out his ass this time. Even though it is a really great one now that I’ve seen it naked. I shake my head, trying to rattle the memory out of my brain.

“What are you doing?”

“Nothing,” I’m quick to answer.

Vince unlocks the door, and ushers me inside. I climb into the passenger seat, and he slides behind the wheel, pressing the garage button.