Primal Pursuit

I don’t even try to plaster a smile on my face while I write down their order and take it to Will, who is working the bar shift today.

“Jeeze, Moore,” Will mutters, “I don’t know who put that look on your face, but can I have his number?”

“He’s the devil, and he’ll eat you alive.”

“Ooh, sounds exactly like my type. Nothing catches my attention more than a walking red flag.” He winks at me as he hands me the beers, and I shoot him a half-smile before taking the drinks to my table.

“Hey, baby doll.” College guy number one leans to the edge of the table. “You wanna meet me after your shift?”

My fingers tremble with the urge to break his bones and prove my Krav Maga prowess. I lean forward, cleavage spilling from my lowcut black top for all to see, and sneer, “That depends. Are you ready to sing castrato for the rest of your days?”

He cocks a challenging brow, but I hold strong.

With a smirk that drips venom I whisper, “Didn’t think so.”

I turn on my heel, letting the heat from my rage evaporate until I can put on a happy face for the next table.

I hate it here, but I need every penny. Working at this noisy bar isn’t always pleasant, but you make good money on the right night. Unfortunately, today isn’t one of them because I’m not entirely on top of my game. Actually, I haven’t been focused all week. I’ll need to get back in the zone if I want to afford all my extracurricular activities.

There are self-defense classes. The martial arts and Krav Maga lessons. And I’m an expert shooter who also knows her way with a knife. None of that is cheap. But it’s all fucking worth it…if it means I get to cut out Davian’s heart.

I’ll do anything, and I meananything,to bring him down. But first I need him to tell me who hired him to kill my parents. Only then will I tear his last breath from hislungs before I hunt the mastermind behind their assassination.

I live poor because every spare cent goes to my cause.

The destruction of those who robbed me of a decent life.

I could go after him again. I know where he plays.

But I doubt they’d let me back in again. Then again, they just might.

Hejust might.

No. I’m not going back to Myth. I’m still convinced it’s that place, the sex that sticks to its walls, that had me all dis-con-fuckulated into ending the night with Davian’s dick up my ass.

Nope. I’m not going there again.

Next time I cross paths with him, it’ll be on neutral ground.

I’m also counting on next time to be real soon. I probably shouldn’t have given him that ‘fuck you’ message instead of my real number, but I couldn’t. Just like I’m not making any moves now. If I do, I just might kill him before I get the information I need from him.

Besides. I want him to chase.

He’s a hunter, and the only way to hunt a hunter is letting him think you’re the kind of prey that’s worth it. A teeter of the narrow line between impossible-to-get and just-within-grasp.

I need to be his obsession—an obsession that will let his guard down.

And then, when he’s at his weakest, when I’ve got him where I want him, I’ll move in for the kill.

It’s past midnight when the last customer walks out, and Will locks the door behind him.

“You wanna stay for a drink?”

I grab my coat and bag. “I’ve got a class in the morning.”

“Krav Maga?”

I nod.