Page 16 of Watched

ROME

Gravel crunches beneath my joggers, my heart pounding against my ribs as I swat a branch out of the way and round the corner. With my shirt, I wipe the beads of sweat from my face and tuck the soaked material back into the waistband of my shorts.

I’ve run this same bush trail since I was seventeen, but since this season started, I haven’t indulged in my favourite scenery. Despite the current inferno in my lungs, it’s a breath of fresh air. The phantom smell of Rain’s woodsy cologne has continued to linger around me the past two days, enveloping me so entirely at unexpected moments, I convince myself he’s nearby.

The warm smell creeps in at the thought of him, and I shake my head, causing more sweat to trail from my hairline as I slow to a fast walk, trying to catch my breath. Interlacing my fingers against the white cap sat backwards on my head—that, too, drenched in sweat—I tip my head back, staring at the dull orange beyond the canopy of branches reaching for one another but never meeting.

Dropping my arms, I slide my phone out of my shorts pocket. 5:15PM.

Shit.

I ran further than I regularly do, and I’m still two kilometres from the carpark. Usually, the most dangerous creature out here is a deer, but something deep in my gut is warning me otherwise tonight.

You’re paranoid, Rome.

I sigh and slide my phone back into my pocket, the music blaring through my earphones as I pick up my pace again, smacking another branch out of the way.

The evening chill slices my heated face as I jog down the staircase, panting and covered in sweat. When my foot hits the gravel carpark, I finally allow myself to slow to a walk.

I take out my keys, the orange lights blinking. Options by NF blares in my ears as I force my exhausted body toward my lone car on the far side of the dimly lit carpark. I reach for the door handle, and my heart jumps when a white-masked figure appears behind me in the window’s reflection. The music rivals the pounding in my ears as I throw myself toward the door. His hands move just as quickly to snatch my wrists, and my shoulders scream in agony when his large body presses to mine, pinning me to the side of my car.

My heaving chest strains against the cold metal as I fight his tight grip, thrashing beneath him as he pulls on the cord, removing one of my ear buds. “What the hell do you want, Rain?”

His chuckle reverberates against my heaving back. “He’s the nice one,” the figure taunts in a cold, husky tone.

Xander warned me about Blade, and I hoped I’d never encounter him, but here he is, tightening his grip on me and pushing a gloved hand against the side of my face. Chilled metal presses to my cheek, squishing my face to the roof of my car.

“I don’t see the allure in you,” he clips. “You’re fucking pathetic.”

“Fuck you.” My spat words form a pool of condensation. “I don’t want him.”

“I told him to stay away from you, so this is his own fault, really. He can’t get mad at me for killing you.”

I stiffen, my breaths halting. His sudden unsure tone gives me hope he’s trying to convince himself of his words, but that doesn’t mean he’s not impulsive. One wrong move and this may be the end of me. I’ve worked my ass off my entire life to get to where I am, and I’m not dying without fulfilling my dream of winning a championship. That’s the only thought keeping me full of adrenaline and stopping me from falling into a panic.

“You can have him,” I spit.

“I do have him. The stupid prick just can’t see that because he’s blinded by this ridiculous infatuation with you.”

Drawing a shaky breath, I swallow hard. “Just keep him away from me.”

He chuckles. “I have thought about tying him up, but that’s only going to involve Aaron, and the outcome for me isn’t great in that regard.” His head moves, shadowing the light shining behind him. “I’ve killed every person who ever touched him, ever had his dick inside them. Well, all but one girl.” His gloved fingers dig deeper into my face, like the mention of whoever the hell he’s talking about is a sore point. “Any sane person would want him to move on. Be happy.” He releases a manic laugh that launches a shudder down my spine. “I’m not that, and I don’t like people playing with my toys.” I splutter out a breath as he leans in. “He needs to forgive me. I’m his fucking brother.”

My arms explode in pain as I drive my hands up and feel the resistance on the sharp key. He groans, and I throw my weight back, the back of my head colliding with his mask, causing him to release a string of curses as I pull at the handle and swing my door open to throw myself in. Yanking it shut and flicking the lock, I drop the bloody keys to my lap.

Gloved hands collide with the window, making me jump. I finally press the start button, turning on the engine. I speed down the decline, fighting with my shorts to free my phone as the tires screech. I turn left, heading back toward the city. Flicking my attention between the road and my phone, I dial the number and then throw the device to my lap while the ringing tone blasts through my ear.

“Baby!” Rain greets excitedly.

“Fuck you!” I scream through choppy breaths.

“Rome, what happened? Are you okay?”

“Your psychotic brother just ambushed me and pinned me to my car, threatening to kill me.”

“Fuck,” he breathes out.

“Yeah, fuck! Stay the hell away from me, Rain, and keep him on a goddamn leash. What the hell is wrong with you both?”