Chapter 14

The night came to an end and somehow I found myself back in Lorenzo’s car. We rode mostly in silence, only briefly exchanging awkward comments on the night. By the time we pulled up in front of my apartment, I was itching to get inside

“I hope we’ll have the opportunity to collaborate again,” Lorenzo said as he walked me to the front of my building. I kept my gaze fixed on my shoes, refusing to meet the alpha’s eyes.

“Maybe, if there’s ever another chance,” I replied and my voice sounded shockingly small which made me all the more self conscious. I shrugged awkwardly, and before I could give Lorenzo the chance to reply I quickly opened the door and all but dashed inside. I had always been terrible at goodbyes, but especially with Lorenzo suddenly being so kind, I couldn’t handle standing there a moment longer.

I kept my head down as I made my way through the lobby, I could feel my wolf tugging at me, as if it wanted to go back outside and straight into Lorenzo’s arms.

My wolf asked, “Are you falling for him again, Eleanor? I think we’re falling for him again.” I pushed the thought away.

“No, I’ve completely given up on Lorenzo and will not be going back. He rejected me and that’s all I can focus on… but I won’t pass up opportunities like this in the future, so maybe it’s okay that we can be partners.” I knew I was kidding myself and my wolf, but in truth I was too tired and scared to confront my feelings. At this point all I wanted was to move on from the past and earn enough money to get myself out of this hellhole.

Right then, the elevator dinged to life and I stepped in and pressed the button for the fourth floor. It was an ancient building with an even more ancient elevator that gave me plenty of time to wallow in my thoughts during its slow ascent. There was no catchy smooth jazz music playing, just the eerie creaks of old cables. Usually I didn’t pay much attention, but my body began to tense as I rose closer to my floor.

As the bell dinged and the doors slid open, I felt all the hairs on my arms and the nape of my neck stand up. Something was off.

I peaked my head around the corner quickly to get a glimpse down the hall towards my apartment door. I barely had time to look, but I briefly saw a slanted shadow on the floor around the corner. Someone was hiding right by my door.

Unsure of my safety, I immediately stepped back into the elevator and pressed all the buttons. My wolf said, “We can’t let them know which floor we get off at.”

The doors shut right as I heard footsteps approaching. The doors opened at every floor, and when I finally reached floor 11 I figured it might be safe to step out. When I entered the hallway, I could hear a scuffle coming from the left staircase. I quickly peaked down and saw a figure running up the stairs a few floors below.

I panicked and began knocking on a few doors. I had no right to disturb my neighbors at such an ungodly hour but I needed help. Sadly, no help came and I heard the footsteps getting closer.

I dashed down the hall and around the corner to the stairs on the right side of the building; there was no time to wait for the elevator. I ran down the stairs, and after I had descended a few flights I heard the door open above me. At that point I knew I was being chased, but by who? I made it to the 6th floor and decided to head back into the hallway. I ran again, knocking on another door but no answer and I didn’t have time to try twice.

At this point I considered making a break for my own apartment. If I could just get down the other set of stairs and into my place, I would be safe, right? I knew that was just wishful thinking though. If this person was waiting for me on my floor they surely knew where I lived, and I had a feeling they would be willing to wait me out or break in. I abandoned hope of getting help from any of my neighbors and made my way back down the opposite stairs.

I clambered down the stairs as fast as I could, but I could hear footsteps approaching behind me. Whoever was chasing me was faster than me, and at this point they were gaining on me. I was out of breath from a night of dancing and so wired from an evening with Lorenzo that I could feel my body giving out on me.

After reaching the bottom floor, I broke out the side door to my apartment. I was in the alleyway that separated my building from the next — trapped in a canyon of brick buildings with my attacker close behind me. There was nowhere to hide so I ran for the street, the glow of stop lights became my guiding light.

I heard the door open behind me but I couldn’t risk a glance. I could tell it was a man by the way he breathed… it seemed oddly familiar. I tried to speed up but my legs were turning to jello and I felt the man closing in. I could almost feel his breath on my neck, his hands reaching out to grab me. My heart sank in despair and I briefly closed my eyes wishing it would all be over.

But then I collided with a body in front of me and I was pulled into a warm embrace. I heard a scream and then the man behind me grunted, and I heard him crash to the ground.