Page 30 of Freaks Of Nature

I throw my head back on a laugh. “You thinkyoucan convince her to an arranged threesome?”

“Yeah!” Mason’s eyes are level and dead serious, gone is the amusement from a second ago.

I take the challenge. “Wanna make that a bet?”

“It’s gonna cost you more than a bag of donuts this time,” he stresses. “I’ll ask her tonight when I pick her up at the diner,” he tacks on before taking another bite.

Dammit!He will fuck this up.Ihave to be the one to ask her. I need this. “I’ll race you for it,” I counter.

“Bitch, you stilloweme a rematch. You only beat me because I got stuck behind that damn Prius going thirtyf—”

“Will you two ass-clowns cut it out already and maybe act your fucking age?” Isaac yells from the open door of the break room, cutting through our squabbling. “I swear I’ll rethink my decision to leave my shop to you idiots.”

I swing my gaze back to Mace, nailing him with a hard stare. “Good luck!”

Then I walk out.

Em

“Do you mind if I take off half an hour early?” I ask Laura, sagging against the counter, a hand pressed to my belly. “Cramps are killing me,” I supply with an eye roll.

It’s the best excuse I can come up with. I need to make my escape before Ash’s psychotic twin shows up.

I have no doubt that he will.

“Sure, honey.” She gives me a nod and gestures to the back. “Go ahead. I’ll finish up.”

My heartbeat punches up my throat so hard I can barely breathe. I rush past Drew and Jake to exit out into the alley not a minute later.

I exhale in relief. The flood of adrenaline in my veins ebbs when I find it deserted.

I don’t linger. My pace is faster than a brisk walk, but not quite a jog. Dread chases me until I lock the deadbolt of my front door behind me.

Only now can I relax.

In my bedroom, I strip out off my jeans. I grab my pajamas and underwear before making my way to thebathroom. The smell of diner grease clings to me. Especially my hair. I scrub until the last bits are replaced by the fresh scent of cucumber and mint.

My long tresses are still damp when I brush my teeth and get ready for bed. I don’t bother with blow-drying them. I’d rather deal with them in the morning.

I wipe a hand across the foggy mirror, and my eyes catch on my tired reflection when I hear a thud from my bedroom.

My head snaps around toward the disturbance. The drop in my stomach hits like a ton of bricks.

What the fuck?

Holding my breath, I perk my ears for sounds of motion, but I’m only met with silence. Not even a squeak from the old building’s floorboards.

I force a swallow down my dry throat and push quietly out of the bathroom.

On bare feet, I sneak along the stretch of hallway separating me from my bedroom until I get a full view of the scene. What I encounter makes the blood rush from my face.

It’s Mason, the window open, a crowbar in his hand.

I know it’s him behind that mask. There’s something about his presence that reeks of danger.

He cocks his head. “Think you can hide from me, baby girl?”

The tool lands on my bed with a light bounce, and I whip around to make a run down the hall to get to the kitchen. I need a weapon.