Hunger (Damnation Book 1)

Chapter 8 - Everything Comes with a Price

"Why does Randall keep staring at you?" Chase asks one day at lunch. I'm so used to the anger in his voice; it barely registers at this point.

I look up and Randall is indeed staring at me, and not just at me. It's almost like he is staring through me to the memory from Monday. He definitely gave in to his dark side. He's been back to see me for the last three days, but I don't tell Chase that. Other johns are not his concern. Also, I don't think he'd take it well. But I'm going to get Randall's soul, not Bart.

"Maybe he's got a lot on his mind. Looks more like he's zoning out than staring," I tell him taking a bite out of my salad.

Chase looks back over and Randall is slightly shaking his head as if to clear it. Chase puts his arm around me and kisses my neck in front of the entire cafeteria to show his ownership. He is anything but subtle. I giggle and let him think he's getting me all hot and bothered. Really, I just want to go home. I'm very annoyed at this moment and I just can't help it. Playing the game isn't on my mind right now. Plus, with Chase, it's really not much of a game. I never have any free time. I'm always with Chase and I can't stand it any longer.

Michael hasn't been heard from since Halloween when he saved me from that Fallen. It's been over a week. Talk about a sore loser. Here I thought he was actually trying to keep me from stealing souls. He must not care about me very much. If he did, he wouldn't make out with me and then never call.

Am I actually getting jealous? Over an angel? This is ridiculous. Why should I care? I can get any guy I want. What does it matter if one angel doesn't want me? They aren't even fun. They're all sticks in the mud anyway. It's not my business.

I feel Chase's fingers sliding back and forth on my thigh. He's getting antsy. I'm going to have to leave work early tonight. If this keeps up, I'm going to be practically moving in with Chase until he graduates. I've spent the last three nights at his house. Oh, and it makes his mom mad, too, but Greg makes her deal. His mom is such a pushover. That's what you get when you are too pretty and peak in high school. "I'll come by after work okay?" I ask pushing his hand away.

Chase pouts for a second until I kiss away his anger. He's such a temperamental guy. One minute very hot in a good way, then cold as ice when he gets mad. It's so hard to concentrate sometimes. It throws me off and it's hard for my powers to get a read on him like that.

He drops me off at the bar and I change quickly. The boss held true to his word and I've only been in privates this week. Though, it hasn't been as bad. Mostly those I saw when I was on the floor coming back for more. Those I will never complain about. It's when I get the creepy Fallen ones that I get scared. Apparently, it's a normal thing for Fallen angels to frequent places like this. I mean it's a no questions asked type of business. It makes sense when I actually think about it. Tonight, I sit on a couch, waiting for my john to get dropped off and I see Michael walk in.

"Please, don't tell me you are going to take away my business," I moan, annoyed that this is the first place I get to see and talk to him since he saved me.

"Is this good for you, sir?" I hear the boss ask.

Michael nods and hands him a wad of cash. My eyebrows lift in curiosity. He's paying for me? That's not what I expected. He sits down, stiffly, and I sit on his lap. Turning on the charm, I play with the edge of his jacket. He wants to act all uninterested in me, fine. I'm going to make him so needful that he can't breathe.

"What are you doing?" he asks, putting his hands on top of mine to stop their movement.

"You're a paying customer. What do you want me to do?" I ask back instead, pulling free and giving my hair a nice toss.