Page 52 of Bloodlust

Vince holds his bleeding hand, his face paling. "I'm going to sue you! I'm going to fucking sue you!"

"Good luck," I snort, wiping the bloody knife on my pants. "If you ever try and touch another dancer, I hope you remember that scar on your hand. And itwillscar, Vince. It'll be there forever. But if itdoesfade,I'llremember you." I pause, features hardening. "And I never forget, Vince. Let alone forgive."

"Who are you?" Vince swallows.

"You don't want to know," I whisper, nodding at the exit. "I think it's time for you to leave, Vince." He rushes past me, and I grab his arm, digging my nails into his skin. "Remember my face, Vince, because it'll be the last thing you see if I hear your name ever again, understood?"

"Yes." He shakes me off and runs toward the exit.

"Nicely done." Leo purses his lips, nodding. "A little dramatic but nicely done."

"Shut up." I roll my eyes, walking up to Zoey. Her hands are trembling as she stares into the empty alcove. I place a hand on her cheek, and she flinches. "Go home, Zoey."

"I'm fine," she whispers, blinking. "I'm fine."

"Go home, Zoey," I say in a gentler tone. "You need to go home."

"I..." She shakes her head, closing her eyes. "I don't want to be alone. I want to stay here with you. Please, Cami."

"You can go to my place then," I suggest. "Pinto will keep you company."

"Come with me," she says, desperation in her voice as she opens her eyes. "Please."

"I have work to do here, Zoe."

Her wounded core screams at me as she whispers, "Please, Cami."

"Fine," I say, her pain entering my heart and transporting me back to her dorm room. "Go get our stuff from my office, okay? I'll meet you out front. I need to speak to Bunny first."

"Okay," she says with a weak smile and then hurries off.

Leo perks a brow. "What was that?"

I scoff, scowling at him. "If you stayed, Leo. You'd know."

"What happened?" He glances toward my office. "What happened to Zoey?"

"Ask her," I say, walking toward the bar to find Bunny. "It's not my story to tell."

But it's my burden to bear.

Chapter 14

Midnight

Every seven years the cells in our bodies regenerate.

Daniel taught me that.

Old cells die and new ones are born. Our skin sheds. Our nails grow. Our hair falls out. Seven years. In seven years, a person transforms into something new.

Untainted. Unsullied.

Untouched.

Zoey has five years left.

Me? I have two.