Page 87 of A Wild Darkness

Sebastian spent the morning speaking with Hayden and Christian about the plans for this weekend. Although I normally would have liked to be included, I was fine with letting him handle the complicated logistics and informing me of the things I need to worry about later because the distance between us was welcomed after what happened last night.

Also, I’d be lying if I said I still wasn’t processing the murderous conversation from last night’s wine event. It was surreal to listen to them.

After a long, hot shower and taking my time getting ready for the day, I’m enjoying some meditation on the balcony, taking in the fresh air and imagining living in a world where monsters didn’t exist.

“Hey.” Sebastian pushes open the French doors and steps outside.

With my feet kicked up on the circular bistro table, I glance back, taking in his tall frame, white shirt, and leather jacket. His face, shiny with my arousal, flashes through my mind.

“Hi.”

Sebastian sits in the chair next to me. “Relaxing morning—and night?”

I bite my lip nervously, unsure if he means the snuggling portion or the eating me portion. “Yeah.”

“How are you feeling now?”

“Better.”

A single hair falls over his left eye as he captures my gaze. “Ready for the plan?”

Are we not going to talk about it? Should we? Maybe it’s better if we pretend it didn’t happen?

I nod calmly, even though my stomach flips.

“A note was slipped under our door this morning.”

“A note?”

He leans forward on bent knees, handing me a white envelope. “The Society is meeting this afternoon in a conference room here on the property.”

I slide out the folded stationery with a whimsical font.

“It looks like a wedding invitation,” I comment.

Hello,

We will be meeting in the Merlot Conference Room this afternoon at 3 p.m. Be prepared for a history lesson. Afterward, there will be a cocktail hour followed by dinner. This will give you the chance to get to know the other members on a more personal basis.

See you there,

S.

“A history lesson?” I arch a brow.

Sebastian shrugs. “I don’t know. These are a narcissistic bunch of assholes, so maybe something about serial killers’ historical methods?”

“Interesting.”

“Hayden, Christian, and I spoke at length this morning about our next move. We need to go after Larry.”

“The Lurker?”

“Yeah,” he says.

“How?”

Sebastian leans back in his chair. “During the cocktail hour, we need to get him alone.”