pter 558
<b>+23 </b>
Π
As <b>the </b>gossip <b>spread </b>rapidly through the <b>vige</b>, Samuel’s family warned him to stop <b>causing </b><b>trouble</b>. They advised him to wait until after the <b>wedding</b>–he hadn’t even introduced Millie <b>to </b>them <b>yet</b>. If he continued <b>to </b><b>stir </b><b>up </b>trouble, her <b>family </b><b>might </b><be </b>looking <b>for </b>him.
He <b>understood </b>all <b>that</b>, but he <b>just </b>couldn’t control himself.
Every time he thought about <b>Josephine’s </b>voluptuous body and the <b>way </b>she pretended to <b>resist </b><b>but </b>wanted him<b>, </b>he felt his desire <b>re </b>up<b>. </b>After all, what man could contain that <b>kind </b><b>of </b>temptation?
The <b>vigers </b><b>were </b>right<b>, </b>and how <b>could </b>this <b>all </b>be my fault? I am <b>a </b>victim here<b>, </b>too,’ he thought.
He took a day off from the <b>factory </b>in town, bought some <b>meat</b>, pastries, candy, and milk. With the <b>bags </b>in hand, he headed toward the end of the
town<b>. </b>
He <b>was </b>being <b>clever </b>about it <b>today</b><b>, </b>and he deliberately took <b>a </b>side path that hardly anyone ever used. To be honest<b>, </b>almost nobody <b>ever </b>went to that far end of the <b>vige</b><b>. </b>
Thinking about Josephine’s <b>face</b><b>, </b>he felt a rush of heat in his chest, and before he knew it, he was walking faster and faster.
Samuel also heard that <b>a </b>group of fruit buyers had recently visited David’s ce. Word was that there was a woman with them who <b>was </b>supposedly even hotter than the celebrities on TV.
He’d heard she <b>was </b>some kind of <b>secretary</b>. Just another pretty young <b>secretary</b>, and nothing special. Samuel had decided to check her out when he had the time. If she really looked like an angel, wasn’t it all about money anyway? His family had plenty to spare.
He was almost at Josephine’s house when he slipped into the shadows at the corner, peeking out to make sure no one was around.
As he moved, Samuel waspletely unaware that a pair of eyes was watching him from behind.
<b>“</b>Tsk, you really do have your ear to the ground,” Aubree muttered, hiding just out of Samuel’s line of sight. She watched him poking his head out like a turtle peeking from its shell.
She’d originally nned to just stake out Josephine’s ce and wait for Samuel to walk right into her trap, but who would’ve thought Ethan had already figured out the wholeyout of Ridgehaven Town in no time?
Tucked away in a narrow crevice between some rocks, Aubree and Bowen were crouched at the crossroads of the only two paths leading to Josephine’s house<b>. </b>
“So, how are you <b>so </b>sure Samuel’s gonna show up today?<b>” </b>she asked.
Meeting her gaze, Bowen gave a meaningful smile, “I just overheard it.
“Didn’t those vigers chatting under the tree say they saw Samuel leaving Josephine’s house right around dusk yesterday?
“A guy like him would only leave at the perfect time if he actually got what he wanted, right?
“Since he didn’t, you can bet he’ll be back.
<b>“</b><b>If </b>you look at the timing, when we first arrived, that was just when Samuel and Josephine started hooking up. It’s only been a few days, and he’s already shameless enough to visit her in broad daylight and sneak out at night. With the way men are wired, there’s no way he won’t show up again today.”
Bowen sounded absolutely certain.
Aubree looked at him, her gaze shifting <b>as </b><b>a </b>teasing glint shed in her eyes. She asked, “So it’s not that you’re some kind of mastermind–it’s just that you’re a man too, huh?
To her surprise, Bowen didn’t dodge the subject at all. He lowered his head, locking eyes with her as he replied, “Of course, Bree. I’m no saint. I have desires too. When <b>it </bes to you, honestly, my thoughts aren’t all that different from Samuel’s dirty ones.<b>” </b>
Aubree froze at his words, the tips of her exposed ears slowly turning red. ‘Is he being a pervert right now?‘ she wondered.
“You..<b>” </b><b>she </b>stammered.
“Samuel’s heading to Josephone’s ce. We need to follow him,” Bowen said, cutting her off.