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This muthafucka. The nerve.

Before I truly snap and jump on his ass, I grab my tote and unlock the door. The sound causes him to look at me.

“You know what? Yeah, you said it and fuck you for saying it,” I grit while nodding. “I can’t stay here tonight. I need to get as far away from you as I can.” I snatch the door open so hard my strength shocks me.

“E, where are you going?”

“Away!” I yell and walk out.

“But you’re not going to—" he begins but the slamming of our door drowns out his dumb ass.

I’m livid and my damn blood is boiling. I’m so damn mad I could scream. Granted we have already worked out where my grandparents are staying but Langston doesn’t know that. He didn’t even give me a chance to even explain that shit to him. Instead, he opened his smug ass mouth and just disregarded my feelings, my love for them, and what they are going through by proclaiming they aren’t welcome in my damn home.

He fucking tried it.

I couldn’t be in the vicinity of him for a minute longer. With no particular destination in mind, I rush to my parking spot, hop in my ride, and scream as soon as I close my door.

Bastard!

Fuck him.

I peel out of the parking lot and just drive. I start on my side of town then contemplate heading to Shae’s. Halfway there, I change my mind and head toward Briarwood. When I turn on Ronnin, my speed drops below the already slower residential speed and I creep down the street toward the house.

When I’m in front of it, my heart falls into my stomach thanks to the view provided by my headlights. The charred skeleton of the house once filled with so much love and memories is a jarring sight. It’s a pile of destruction smothered by thick, heavy layers of dark, oily soot, ash, and damp wood.

Dear God…

My grandparents were trapped in that.

Noab.

Staring at the visceral ground of devastation, my gratitude for Noab reemerges. My grandparents’ fate didn’t end here because of him. He saved them and he is who I want to see. The timing is off and my current situation is less than ideal but I want to feel protected and comforted. I want to show him how much I appreciate him. Before my mind can convince me to ignore my feelings and just drive to Shae’s, I call him and he answers almost immediately.

“Enani, are you okay?”

Chills. The way he says my name.

This is my first time hearing him say my name and it shocks me in a good ass way. He says it low and breathily, almost erotic. I want to ask him to repeat it but I refrain, to keep from sounding crazy.

“I’m fine,” I answer instead, although fine is a million miles from me.

“Tell me the truth this time,” he says to my surprise.

Is he reading me? I know vampires have keen hearing but can they read minds? Lord, I hope not. If he can, he’s reading this right now. Shit…fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.

“Um…I’m…I want to see you. You’re off right?”

When all he responds is “I am,” I relax, choosing to believe he didn’t read my mind.

“Well, are you at Blood Lust?”

“No. I’m home but I can come to you. Where are you?”

“In my Jeep, wondering if I could have your address so I can come to you.”

“I just sent it,” he says right as I hear my alert for text messages.

“I got it. I’m on my way.”