Page 92 of Venomous Desires

Chapter 32

The Prey

The next two days were as horrifying as the last. They went in a blur. And I never imagined I’d want Monday to last for a lifetime.

Alina was with me at the university. She barely left my side, even in the cafeteria. I was grateful, to be honest, but the snarky remarks students would throw my way didn’t help with my anxiety.

She’s a killer.

Police arrested her.

I heard she was bailed out. That’s not possible unless she has some ties.

I can’t believe she killed Dontello Morani just for some drugs.

All the things going to my head were making me wish to jump off a cliff. The classes went in a blur; even professors eyed me warily. I was sure the whole university knew about the situation by now. Alina even snapped at a few of the girls, but I hated how my life had turned into this chaotic mess, and nomatter how hard I tried to find some semblance of normalcy, it kept slipping further away.

I had two more days, and still, my head was blank. My phone pinged, and I immediately stilled, pulled it out, and stared at the screen.

Kyle: Be there at the gate. I’ll pick you up in twenty minutes.

I blinked, hoping the words would disappear, but when they didn’t, I took a shaky breath. Pick me up? To take me to him? Wasn’t it too soon? Weren’t there supposed to be two more days? Or did he decide to shift the deadline and torment me sooner?

Oh god.

Be it a dream.

Please.

Please, please, please-

Another ping and my heart rate accelerated.

Kyle: And don’t think of running. I hate chasing.

I looked around. Alina was in the classroom, and there was no way I could slip away, but where would I even go? I couldn’t let him take me. Not yet. Not like this.

Panic surged. I quickly wrapped the jacket around me and rushed out into the corridor, earning a few weird and judgemental glares as the students shifted from the way.

I was in the parking lot when I felt someone placing their hand on my shoulder, and I gasped as I whirled around so fast I nearly fell. That’s when I came face-to-face with Ivan.

“You have a strange hobby of keeping me waiting, Sera.” His voice was coldly impatient, and I tried to back away as he invaded my vicinity. “Where were you?”

He stood with a hand in his jacket, looking down at me with his jade-green eyes.

I sighed. I had dealt with enough deranged men in the past few days; I didn’t want to add another to the list. If I wanted toescape his clutches, I needed to pretend I didn’t suspect him at all.

“It doesn’t concern you. Can you please let go of me?” I tried to pull my arm away, but his grip tightened.

“Not unless you tell me what’s going on.” He leaned in closer, his breath hot against my ear. And I looked around the area, spotting a few students looking at us and whispering to themselves. “Why were you involved in a murder?”

“I did not murder anyone…” My voice shook with frustration. “What do you want, Ivan?”

“I know, Sera, I trust you and that’s why I’m worried. It’s not normal. Three days, and I didn’t know where you were. You phone was off, no one knew where you were and police refused to tell me anything.”

“I said I am not a—”

“But someone bailed you out.” His face turned blank, and with his bloodshot eyes, he appeared no less than a maniac. “Who was it?”