Page 1 of Echoes of Desire
Chapter One
Raven
Icurse under my breath and kick the car tire. Again. The stupid engine sputtered once, coughed like a dying man, and then gave up entirely, leaving me stranded under the flickering glow of a street lamp. Of course, this had to happen tonight when I’m bone-tired and just want to go home.
At least I don’t live far.That’s what I keep telling myself as I swing my bag over my shoulder and start walking. The street is quiet—too quiet. The occasional hum of a distant car breaks the silence, but otherwise, the world feels empty.
The tap of my shoes echoes off the concrete as I pick up my pace. I hate nights like this. The dark feels endless, swallowing up the street, and I feel so small walking through it.
That’s when I hear it.
Footsteps.
At first, I ignore it. Plenty of people walk this way, probably someone heading home, just like me. But the sound doesn’t go away. Steady. Heavy. Close.
I walk a little faster, my breathing shallow. The footsteps behind me match my pace. My pulse kicks hard, thudding in my ears.
It’s fine. Don’t panic.
I take a left at the next corner, my movements tight as I glance over my shoulder. There he is. A shadowy figure in a heavy coat. I can’t see his face, but I don’t need to. Not that it matters, anyway.
I try another turn, then another. Each time, he’s there, matching every move I make. My chest tightens, and fear creeps into my veins like ice water.He’s not just walking this way.
I clutch the strap of my bag, my fingers cold and shaking. My first instinct is to run, but I know it’ll only make me look more like prey.Think, Raven. Think.
Then I see them.
Two men stand outside a darkened building up ahead, their figures lit by the soft glow of a nearby streetlight. They’re huge, both of them. One of them leans against a sleek black motorcycle, flicking a lighter open and shut, the tiny flame sparking to life before vanishing again. The other stands still, arms crossed, his posture rigid.
Men like that don’t usually make me feel safe. But right now, they’re the best shot I’ve got.Better to face them than him.
Before I can talk myself out of it, my feet carry me straight to them. They notice me immediately, both heads turning in unison, their eyes narrowing as I approach. I swallow hard, my throat bone-dry.
I stop a few feet in front of them and force myself to speak, even as my voice trembles.
“Please… pretend you know me.”
The guy with the lighter freezes, the small flame flickering out. The other one uncrosses his arms, eyes sharp and assessing.
I don’t give them time to question me. I plaster on the brightest smile I can manage and raise my voice loud enough to carry down the street.
“I’m sorry I kept you waiting so long. Are we still going out to eat?”
They glance at each other, one brief look, wordless, but it’s like they speak some silent language. Then they move.
The man with the lighter steps forward first. He’s red-haired, rough around the edges, and his smile is crooked, but there’s a warmth to it. He rests a hand on my shoulder, gentle but firm.
“You’re lucky we’re patient, sweetheart,” he says, his voice smooth and teasing.
The other guy flanks my other side, his movements slower, deliberate. He, too, has red hair but harder somehow, his face sharp, his expression unreadable. His hand settles on the small of my back, steady and protective.
“Where’ve you been?” he says, his tone quieter but firm. There’s no teasing here. Just strength.
“Just lost track of time,” I smile.
I let out a shaky breath I didn’t realize I was holding as we start walking together, the three of us forming a solid wall. Their hands on me feel like shields, like barriers between me and the man still lingering behind us.
My heart hammers and I can’t help but glance back. The man who was following me slows, then stops altogether. He lingers near the corner for a moment longer, like he’s deciding whether to keep going, but then turns and disappears into the shadows.