Screwed Up: Bayside Heroes by Rae Harloe

Author:Rae, Harloe
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Crooked Tree Press
Published: 2021-12-12T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINETEEN

LARSEN

The parking lot is shrouded in pitch-black as I stride toward my car. Lamp posts break apart the eerie darkness, casting a glow every few feet. A cramp radiates from my calves with a dull throb. I wince and shuffle forward at a lazy stroll. Hospital traffic was busier than normal thanks to the holiday season. With Thanksgiving tomorrow, the city is flooded with visitors who require medical attention for one reason or another. That reminds me of the impending plans I have yet to confirm with Dane.

Thinking about celebrating with him makes me smile, tired as I might be. I’ve decided to release my reservations and follow what feels right. That breezy mentality has led me to the most fun I’ve ever had. Speaking of thrills, Dane is meeting me at Shipwrecked once his shift is over. He was practically giddy about taking me out to the bar on the second busiest night of the year. I have yet to discover what the big deal is.

Sirens wail in the distance, but blissful silence envelops me otherwise. My ears are still ringing from the shrill hustle on the emergency floor. The light above me flickers ominously as I near my Audi. I’m about to tap the door handle when I hear the insistent click of footsteps just behind me. My heart leaps into my throat when a man emerges from the shadows.

It’s difficult to distinguish much since he remains cloaked in the inky veil of night, but his broad shoulders and tall stature are large enough to raise my hackles. A person choosing to corner me in a dark parking lot deserves the rash judgment. The creep factor skyrockets when he prowls forward. His gait is suave confidence that’s dipped in luxury. The suit expertly tailored to his frame probably costs more than my paycheck is worth.

“Are you Larsen Belle?”

An internal alarm blares to life with a deafening boom. I stumble backward, my ass hitting the car. “That depends on who’s asking.”

The man steps into the light, his face a mask of cold determination. He’s good-looking, I suppose—in an extravagant, artificial sense that reeks of bullshit. I’m an expert since I used to be suffocated by that rancid stench on the daily. His thick hair is gelled into an unmovable force. An angular jawline that appears sharper than a knife ticks in aggravation. But it’s his eyes that give me chills. There’s no warmth radiating there. He seems like the type to try passing himself off as a cultured, sophisticated man. But his entire vibe feels fabricated.

“I’m Nathaniel Hollingsworth.”

That name doesn’t spark any memories or offer reassurance. Quite the opposite, in fact, considering he’s a stranger pushing the boundaries on my personal space. Cold dread slithers down my spine.

“Have we met?” I unlock my phone, thumb hovering over the keypad.

Nathaniel halts his approach, nearly crossing the line into dangerous territory. The smirk curling his lips is cruel. “No, but we have a common interest.”

I narrow my eyes, shoulders squaring to combat his dominating presence.

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