“Remi, wait.” Roman’s car door shuts behind me.

When I rotate, he’s rounding the trunk on his way toward me. Before I can ask why, his strides close in. He hasn’t even stopped yet when he pulls me into a hug. His arms encircle me, one hand on the back of my head and my face pressed into his shirt through his unzipped coat.

“I’m fucking looking at you, pretty girl. You’re not unnoticed. I see you.”

Suddenly it hurts. Everything hurts so much. A silent sob works up my throat as I throw my arms around his middle. I sink into him and close my eyes, trying to absorb every bit I can of the moment. The warmth, the touch of skin on mine, the pressure as he crushes me tighter.

Without another word, Roman lets go, leaves me on the sidewalk, and drives away.

I feel cold again, missing all the things. Other than Sage, no one’s hugged me for a long time. I kind of wish he hadn’t now, so I wouldn’t have to realize it. But I’m really glad he did.

Since I’ve been summoned, I can’t sneak in through my window and chance my emergency escape hatch being bolted shut. Daniel nor my mom has noticed my lack of coming and going through doors, but they’ll be paying attention tonight. Every move and breath stand trial during these dinners.

I’m so close to never enduring another one again.

The chief puts these on whenever he needs the minions to swarm around and reinforce the power and control he holds over everyone. Those invited bow at his feet, and anyone who feels slighted kicks up the ass-kissing a notch.

He has his favorites who come most often. I hate both of them.

I’m almost to the house when one rolls up on me. Elvin makes the air taste acidic. I can’t think of a much better way to describe being in the presence of his shaved head, boxy build, and wildly inflated sense of self-importance. Especially when he drops his voice real low and talks to me like we share a secret. I fear the toxin getting in my mouth, lungs, and on my skin.

He creeps along in his cruiser while I act oblivious with my earbuds in. It works out until I need to cross the street. Elvin accelerates to beat me and turns onto the cross street, stopping and blocking the path. He hangs out his window, and I begrudgingly pop out an earbud.

“It’s cold,” he says. “Get in. I’ll take you the rest of the way.”

I want to point out he has to turn around now, which will take longer than if I walk. Not that I’d ever willingly get in a car with him. Instead, I bite back half the snark and simply say, “No.”