| |
Erica Devareaux walked home with nothing to illuminate the dark streets, but the dim streetlights. Although accustomed to going places by herself in the wee hours of the morning, she still had a feeling of trepidation raising the hairs on the back of her neck and goosebumps along her skin. In a hurry to get to her car, Erica glanced both ways and then jogged across the intersection.
A light breeze lifted her brown hair away from her face and sent a chill down her spine. A cold certainty washed over her - she was being watched. Her gut clenched as she looked around.
A flicker of movement in the shadows startled her. Something in the alley moved. A shadow passed, darting to the other side. Her heart thumped wildly against her chest. She laughed when she saw an alley cat.
“There is nothing to fear but fear itself,” she quoted into the still night air. If she continued repeating it to herself, then perhaps she would believe it.
Goosebumps still crawled over her body and the tightening of her muscles warned her not to let her guard down. Within minutes she would be safe in her car, heading back to her house. She grimaced at the way her life had turned out. She had been born into money, but when her father learned about her extracurricular activities, he disowned her.
Reaching the parking lot, Erica looked over the area. The first thing she learned out on the streets was to be aware of her surroundings at all times. She was thankful for the self-defense classes she had taken as a teenager.
Not a soul could be seen, though several cars were in the lot. Satisfied, Erica stuck her key in the lock and opened the door.
“Excuse me,” came from behind her, causing her heart to jump into her throat. She heard the man chuckle, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Erica looked at the tall man standing near her Chevy Cavalier. “You scared the hell out of me,” she laughed nervously.
She looked him over more thoroughly. This good looking man stood well over six feet tall. His dirty blond hair and blue-gray eyes had to attract women easily.
“I was wondering if I could buy you breakfast.”
Unaccustomed to that particular pick up line, she hesitated a moment before responding. “I’d like that.”
His eyes gleamed in the obscure light. “My car is right over there. Why don’t I drive us?”
“Okay.” She relocked her car before heading off with him. She had planned on calling it a day, but money was money. She followed him through the parking lot to an older, weathered dark green Dodge truck that probably had not seen a car wash in years. He obviously didn’t care about what he drove and she hoped he could pay for her services. She wasn’t into handing out freebies, no matter how good looking.
Being a true southern gentleman he unlocked her door, opened it and then walked around to his side of the truck to get in. She scooted closer to him, taking advantage of the bench seat.
“Do you want to do it right here or would you rather go somewhere private, sugar?” She asked as she used the rear view mirror to check her makeup.
“I know an out of the way spot down the road,” he said. His eyes surveyed the parking lot before starting his truck.
She touched his forearm in an attempt to put him at ease, but he still flinched from her touch. “What’s wrong?” she purred into his ear.
Instead of answering her, he stared into the night as he drove out of the parking lot.
***
HE HAD BEEN OBSERVING her every movement these last few days. She was a whore, pure and simple. This city was infested with the likes of her, a wanton woman. They expertly mastered the art of trickery with their deceiving words and seductive bodies. They corrupted the just and led them down a path full of sin. They were serpents who spoke with scheming tongues. They were pupils of Lucifer himself.
Human viciousness had jaded him into a cynic. He tried to keep his cynicism in check, but at times it landed him in trouble. Which might explain why he had so few friends.