Page 52 of The Predator

I tug my phone out of my pocket, lift it to snap a picture of them cooking together, and then I send it to Sebastian, with no other explanation.Maybe he'll come back.The little trip out of the house was nice, but I can’t help feel something is missing now.

Bel interrupts my daydreaming when she slides a chopping board and tomato down in front of me. "Just cut this in tiny pieces, I'll cook the beef."

Drew leans against the counter near her, pouting, "Oh really, so you let her play with the knife but not me?”

“You’re such a baby…” She rolls her eyes.

“Well, if I can’t cut stuff up, what do I get to do?”

She doesn’t even look at him when she responds and simply turns the stove on, "You can just stand there and look pretty."

With a villainous gleam in his eyes, he leans forward and nips at her neck. A tiny whimper escapes her, and heat climbs into my cheeks. I jerk my gaze away and back to the tomato, trying to give them at least a hint of privacy.

Sebastian touches me, but not like that. Not so carefree and easy. It's as if every touch of Sebastian's will sear or scar me.

Is what Bel and Drew share how things are supposed to be?I wouldn't call what Sebastian and I have right now a relationship. Not that I have any previous experience. Sure, we're married, but it’s nothing more than a word at this point.

Drew slides some chopped up lettuce toward me, and I realize I'd zoned out again."Did you say something?"

He shakes his head and continues watching me. "No, just adding this to the veggies. Figure it would be easiest to serve that way."

I nod, uneasiness coating my insides from the inspection of his direct gaze. "I texted Sebastian. Maybe he'll be back in time to eat with us."

Drew shrugs, “Maybe. Maybe not. The guy’s busy as hell.” He casually moves closer to Bel, pulling her back into his front and using his hands to cradle her hips.

I clear my throat and hop off the stool. I’m uncomfortable with his outright display of affection towards her, and I don’t know how to handle it. "I'm going to go wash up; I'll be back down in a few minutes."

I don’t give them the chance to reply before I run out of the room, up the stairs, and head straight into Sebastian’s…I mean,ourroom. His intoxicating clean scent surrounds me, and calm settles over me.

It only takes a minute to wash my hands and splash some water on my face. There’s this nervous energy in my stomach, and I can’t get it to go away. I don’t know what it’s about or why I have it, but it feels like something bad is about to happen. I check my phone again. He didn't even open my text message.What could he be doing when he's been so adamant about staying near me at all times?This is stupid. I laugh to myself.How do I both want him to keep his distance but also want to make sure he’s safe and tucked in to my side?

Possible scenarios fill my mind and do nothing to calm me. They only ramp up my anxiety.Could he be dead somewhere?What if my father got his hands on him?

My breaths become ragged, the tell-tale signs of a panic attack looming in the distance.No, this is just my fear, my trauma.Sebastian wouldn't be taken easily, no matter who tried to grab him. He’s a fighter. Always fighting.

Maybe if he gets home in the next few minutes, he'll be happy I'm waiting here for him. The thought makes me want to run, since that’s exactly what he wants, but there’s another part of me fighting back against that impulse. The one considering what Bel said about Sebastian doing everything in his power to protect me. Yes, he killed his grandfather, but he had to have a reason. He doesn't do anything unless he has a very specific reason. Bel suggested it was because of me, because his grandfather tried to own me.

But is there more to it? Or am I overthinking it all?

There's no way to know when he absolutely refuses to speak about that night.

I give myself another minute to wallow in my thoughts and then choose to go back downstairs because the last thing I want is Bel having to come find me. Straightening my spine, I fill my lungs with air and slowly release the tension, then I head back down to the kitchen.

When I enter Bel is piling tortillas on the counter with a wide, happy grin. And I can't help but smile back. She's infectious with her joy.A feeling I used to know. Okay, fine. It’s not that I'm unhappy now, just...different. My experiences wore down the juvenile innocence I once had. Can’t say it’s a bad thing. It’s probably for the best, since all that did was make me vulnerable.

I slide back onto the stool and grab a plate. "Should we wait for Sebastian?" I clear my throat. "Maybe if you text he'll..."

Bel cuts me off. "Please. That man lives and breathes for you. If he's not texting you back, he's not going to respond to me, either."

My chest is tight at the thought but I don’t comment. Instead I nod, focusing on the food. "Thank you for cooking, it smells amazing." My stomach rumbles so loud they both hear it, freezing at the noise. We all laugh, and the tension from earlier is broken. I can breathe again.

My phone buzzes in my pocket and I snatch it out so fast I almost fumble it into a bowl of shredded cheese. I spot Sebastian's name on the screen and immediately hit send.

"Hey, we..."

He cuts me off mid-sentence. "Hey, you with Drew?"

I shake my head and stare across the counter at Bel and Drew's questioning looks. "Yes, I'm at home, waiting for you."