Page 7 of Slaying for Sloan
But me? I’ve got all the patience, all the control. I’ve waited and watched, obsessively picking apart every little piece of her life she thought was private. Piecing together every want, every insecurity, until I knew exactly how to trap her.
Now, as I watch her from the shadows, her eager steps picking up pace as she heads toward town, I can practically feel her excitement radiating through the cold morning air.
The center of town comes into view, quiet and still, covered in a thin layer of frost that glitters under the morning light. Sloan walks right into it, her head held high, that same naivelittle smile on her lips. She thinks she’s walking into her fairytale.
But soon enough, she’ll know exactly who’s waiting for her at the end of this story, and it’s not her prince charming.
Chapter Five
SLOAN
Holly Grove is cute, but the people here are vile. It’s abundantly clear that the people here identify me as an outsider, and even more clear that they heard about what happened last night. I’ve done a decent job at avoiding eye contact with anyone I pass by, but the few times I’ve looked up, I’ve been met with a variety of faces. Some filled with pity, others with disgust. I don’t really understand how people can be so judgmental when they weren’t even there firsthand to see what happened. There weresomepeople around us when we were fighting, but notthatmany.
Aside from the people, this town is really cute. The buildings are all older, but they’re been taken care of and kept up quite well. Several of the paths that twist between businesses are cobblestone, adding to the holiday charm of this place. Green garland wrapped in twinkling white lights lines the front of each business downtown where the good shopping is.
Throughout the day, Alex has been sending me cryptic little messages, making me think he’s watching me from afar. His note said he had a few things to take care of today, but I get the feeling I’m being watched. Every time I’ve turned around, fully expecting to see Alex lurking in the shadows, I’m met bynothing, which gets my excitement rising even more than when I first read his note this morning.
I spent all day shopping and exploring. I looked up the address to the church Alex gave me, and it’s on the other side of town. During my venture through downtown I mentally mapped out which route I want to take when it gets dark. Without a car, it’ll take me twenty five minutes to walk from here to the church. As much as I’d like to shave some of that time off by running, I don’t think that’s what these boots were made for, or whatIwas made for. I’ve never been a runner, and I don’t know that I’ll start tonight. Stealth will be my strategy. Plus there’s snow and ice covering the entire town. The town workers did a decent job removing snow from the roads and sidewalks, but it’s been snowing off and on all day, and they can’t keep up with it.
“Here’s your receipt,” the slim, blonde cashier says from the other side of the check-out counter as she holds out the piece of paper for me to take. “Have a good evening.”
“Thank you,” I nod, taking the paper from her thin hand. “You, too.”
Stuffing the diminished wad of cash back into my pocket, I pick up my bags and stride for the door, heading in the direction of the café I stopped at this morning. Earlier in the day I decided I’d go back for a hot chocolate before Alex and I start our game. I have a little time left to kill anyway, so this is perfect.
The icy breeze blasts my face as I step onto the snow-covered sidewalk and into the dimming daylight. My phone chimes as soon as I begin walking, prompting a grin to spread across my lips.
Alex. It has to be him.
Shuffling the bags around in my hands, I reach into my pocket for my phone. My smile widens further when I see the message on the screen.
Need some help with your bags?
I glance up from the screen, looking around the entire area. The streets are mostly empty now. Everyone has gone home to get ready for the midnight mass service. I don’t know how Alex got us out of going to it tonight, but I’m fucking grateful. The thought of sitting through three hours of Alex’s dad talking about shit he doesn’t live by doesn’t exactly appeal to me.
My fingers are hurt from the cold air as I text him back.
Yes. Are you here?
It only takes a few seconds for him to respond.
Finishing up taking care of a few things. I’m sending a car to take your bags back to the cabin. See you soon.
Shoving my phone back into my pocket, I smile to myself as I walk toward the café. The sun is on the horizon now and the temperature is dropping quickly. This game is so unlike Alex, but it suddenly feels like he’s trying. Between the money, the texts throughout the day, and the fact that he put actual thought into an activity for us to do together… I feel seen. Maybe he does feel bad about what happened last night and is doing all of this because he doesn’t want to lose me. Maybe it was one fuck up and won’t happen again.
When I reach the café there’s a black SUV waiting in front of the entrance, and there’s a man dressed in a black suit patiently waiting for me.
“Miss Sloan?” he asks, his voice delightfully professional.
“Yes,” I nod. “You’re here for my bags?”
“I am,” the man responds. “Let me take those for you. They’ll be waiting for you in the cabin.”
He stretches his arms out, gently taking the load of bags off my arms. The relief from the loss of all that weight is instant, making me roll my shoulders and neck around.
“Thank you,” I smile as he loads them into the SUV.
“Is there anything else I can assist you with before I leave, Miss Sloan?” he inquires, turning to fully face me with his hands clasped behind his back.