Chapter 44

Zora POV

"Where are you going? I can't believe you're leaving already."

He tossed a shirt in a suitcase.

"Couldn't you give me a heads-up Dash?"

"I'm sorry," he mumbled half-heartedly.

He tossed a couple of boxers into the suitcase. He couldn't be bothered to fold anything leaving me no choice but to fold all his stuff for him.

"You don't have to do that," he said.

"If you want everything to fit, yes I do."

He chuckled. "I hate that you're mad at me."

"Whatever."

He lifted my chin so I met his eyes.

"I'm sorry. I think I'm more broken than I thought."

"Don't say that, Dash."

"I can't let my Dad's death go."

"Neither can I. It's just we haven't been dating that long… never mind this is more important."

"You're very important to me, Zora. I think solving my Dad's murder will help us figure out who killed the Fishers."

I nodded. I hope so. I finished helping Dash pack his things. He promised he would only be gone a week and then we went on to make love before he dropped me off as Cass' house.

"A sleepover! Finally," Cass threw her arms in the air as soon as the door closed behind me. "Don't give me that face. It makes me feel like you'd rather fuck around with Dash than hang out with me."

I snickered. "That's because it's true."

She frowned before flopping on the couch. "And to think I brought out my new alcohol for you."

"I don't feel like drinking. I have to work," I said, sitting beside her on the couch.

She rolled her eyes. "So do I. We need a girl's night. I swear since you got a boyfriend I haven't seen you."

"You're so dramatic Cass. You've had me all to yourself for years."

She opened her mouth to respond but the doorbell rang and interrupted her.

"Is that Kaleb?" I asked.

She glanced at the door. "No."

She got up and marched over to open it. She quickly closed it part way. I saw it was Gunner because he was much taller than Cassidy.

"What are you doing here?" she hissed.

Her words echoed my thoughts.

"Am I not allowed to come to your house anymore?" Gunner growled.

He sounded possessive.

"No, you can't. Not without calling me first, ugh. Just leave."

"Cass-"

"Now, bye." Cass closed the door.

She was flushed when she returned to me. She tried to plaster a smile but I saw the nerves behind it.

"Cass?" I asked.

"Oh, it's nothing. What were we talking about again?" She asked, looking around her coffee table for something interesting.

"Why was Gunner here? Is something wrong?"

She sighed in frustration. "Zora, I said it was nothing."

"Okay, you don't have to tell me I just thought I'd ask. You know you can tell me anything."

"You know what? I've got to get to work. I'll see you for dinner."

"Cass-"

"Where is my bag? Oh, yeah I left it in my room."

I was flabbergasted. I didn't want my imagination to run wild so I pushed the incident from my mind but it was hard not to speculate.

"You know where to leave the keys, bye!" she called then the door closed behind her.

"See you later Cass."

I changed into something comfortable for my evening shift, pulled my hair into a ponytail and headed out. My old car was at my house, it didn't want to start when Dash and I left so the workers could tear the place apart and put it back together in peace.

Since Cass ditched me I had to walk all the way. It was a twenty-minute walk in the cool evening breeze. It wasn't so bad. I neared the main road where all the stores and restaurants were. I heard footsteps behind me and assumed it was other people so I didn't think much of it. However, the person's presence over my shoulder grew intense. I turned in time to see a man with a grey hoodie, holding a handkerchief in his gloved hand swinging at me.

I screamed and ducked.

I turned and ran back in the direction of Cass's house.

He was faster than me. He wrapped his arms around my neck and tackled me to the ground. My bag landed a few feet in front of me.

"Get off me!"

"Shut up."

He struggled to get his handkerchief over my mouth but I wouldn't let him! I battled for my life. This man was a wolf his strength was incredible. He yanked me off the ground but I saw a gap and elbowed him in the gut. He grunted and I whirled and kneed him in the thigh.

He cried out and clutched his pained thigh. I struggled to get to my feet. I abandoned my bag and started running. He was right behind me though. Cass had pepper spray and a taser. It would be just enough to stop him.

"Get back here," he growled.

In your dreams! I chose the wrong day to wear high-heeled boots.

My heel broke and I went flying into the dirt.

"No," I whispered.

"I was going to take you nicely. No one needed to get hurt but you made everything complicated. I was ordered to bring you without a scratch now how am I going to explain that I had to slap you a little bit for what you did?"

He towered over me. This was the same man who tried to nab me before. I've escaped him before but it didn't seem like I was going to escape this time.

As he reached down to grab me a rock connected with the side of his head.

I looked around for my helper. Another rock hit him in the back. I scurried out of the way before he landed on me.

"Get away from her!" A girl about my age threw another sharp-edged rock at my attacker. Blood oozed from his forehead. His eyes turned hellish red. He glared at us.

The girl dropped her rocks and backed up.

"Uh… Zora, we should go."

I nodded and backed up in her direction.

"You're not going anywhere."