The Alpha's Search (The Craven Trilogy, #1) Read Free

were opposite a fire exit above which was a single, illuminated bulb.
    I didn't reply. Instead, I took a step to the side so I could get past them. The taller of the two mirrored my movement in order to block my way.
    “What's your hurry sexy?” the shorter guy said.
    “My boyfriend's waiting for me in the square,” I lied.
    “He can't be much of a boyfriend if he leaves you to walk down here all by yourself.”
    I moved to the side again. He did the same. I tried to push past them, but the tall one grabbed me by the shoulders.
    “Let me go!” I screamed.
    “No need to shout! We just want a little fun. Don't we Alfie?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Please, let me go.”
    “You know you want it.” The tall guy pushed me against the bin. His hand was pressed against my breast.
    “Let her go!”
    The voice took all three of us by surprise. Tall guy took his hand off my breast, but still held me by the arm. Although I could see only his silhouette, I recognised the voice of the man who had spoken to me in the club. The man from the shop. The man with Jet black hair. My stalker.
    “Why don't you fuck off?” tall guy said.
    “Yeah. Fuck off!” Alfie said.
    I heard a metallic sound and saw something glisten in Alfie's hand. It was a knife.
    “I'll ask you one more time,” my stalker said.
    “Fuck off!” Alfie slashed out with the blade.
    Everything after that was a blur. The next thing I remember was when I heard his words.
    “Are you okay?”
    It took me a few moments to get my bearings. We were in a taxi. My stalker (or was he my rescuer) was sitting opposite me.
    “What happened?” I asked.
    “You must have fainted.”
    “What about those two guys?”
    “They decided to leave.”
    I glanced out of the taxi window.
    “Where are we going?”
    “I'm taking you home. At least, I would if I knew where you lived.”
    “No. That's okay.”
    “I insist.”
    “No! Driver! Pull over here would you?”
    “You sure?” The driver looked confused.
    “Yes. Just here please.”
    He dropped me outside the town hall—an area which was busy and well lit. I soon found another taxi and asked the driver to take me home.
    *********
    I hadn't expected to see Alison the next morning, but she was in the kitchen nursing one hell of a hangover.
    “Hi,” she managed. Her eyes were barely open.
    “What happened to your new boyfriend?” I asked. “I didn't think you'd be here this morning.”
    “The bastard was married.”
    “Didn't you spot his ring?”
    “He wasn't wearing one. It was in his trouser pocket.”
    “How did you find it there?”
    She gave me a look which said: how do you think?
    “Oh, right—yeah.” The penny had dropped.
    “He's only been married for nine months. I hate men! What happened to you? Why did you leave so early?”
    “I was knackered. I nearly didn't make it back home though.”
    That seemed to wake Alison. “Why? What happened?”
    I told her about the incident in the side street, and about my mysterious stalker/rescuer.
    “You should tell the police. The club might have CCTV.”
    “There aren't any cameras around there. I'd have seen them.”
    “Bastards. They should have their balls chopped off.” Alison ran her tongue over her dry lips. “Make us a coffee would you. My gob feels like a cat just shat in it.”
    I filled the kettle and found two clean mugs.
    “What about the guy who has been stalking you?” Alison said. “What's his deal?”
    “I'm not positive he has been stalking me. It might just be a coincidence.”
    “How come he followed you out of the club?”
    “I don't know.”
    “Mind, it's a good job he did.”
    “Yeah. I know.”
    “Still a bit creepy though.”
    “I feel like I know him from somewhere.” I was thinking aloud.
    “Any danger of that coffee?” Alison groaned. “A girl could die of thirst.”
    Alison kept me talking for so long that I missed my usual bus, and was half an hour late getting into the shop.
    “Heavy night?” Sarah grinned.
    “Sorry