Apollo (Luna Lodge #5)(12)

Sol grew quiet over the line, and Apollo could almost feel the anger over the phone.

"This is exactly how you got into your fucking mess that's made you such a bitter little bitch," Sol said. "Maybe you should stop accusing everyone of being the enemy before all your chances dry up."

Apollo open his mouth to reply but stopped.

He could hear the little rat across the hall from Val pacing back and forth. Something about the man set his hairs on end. Val might not be the woman she was claiming, but that didn't mean he was going to stand by and let something happen to her. He'd already been in this situation once, and his gut instinct had been right.

"I've gotta go," he said and hit end.

Sol could take away whatever he wanted to from the situation. Apollo had a job to do.



* * *



Val lugged the large blue suitcase over to the door. Too bad Mister Fun had taken off. She could have used the help getting her luggage out to the car. It had worked out in her favor though. There were things she didn't want him to see, and his exit had given her enough time to get everything she needed for her ultimate task.

She took in a deep breath and just hoped that she could find the strength to follow through. All she needed was just one shot with Sol, and then he would see. Getting into Luna Lodge might only prove to be the easy part though.

Not wanting to waste any more time, she opened the door and yanked her suitcase out. When the door was closed and locked, she turned, ready to meet her future. 

"Hi, Val," a familiar voice said.

Her neighbor stood close, and she jumped back a little.

"Uh, hi, Nigel," she said and moved even further away. She didn't need more of him, not today.

Sweat blotted his brow, and a piece of his greasy hair clung to it. She could smell his thick body odor, a smell of sour coffee and sex, despite her knowledge that no woman had even come close to stepping into that place. His lust hung heavy in the air. Not her first time dealing with it, but it was tainted this time, likely from the stunt she had pulled. It was a shifting smell and feeling that made him even more dangerous. Like he didn't have anything to lose.

"So, did your boyfriend leave?" His eyes narrowed a little as he spoke, and he pressed in to her space.

Val placed her suitcase in front of her to block any further moves. She was surprised that her plan didn't work earlier. One look at Apollo would have sent most men running away in shame.

"He's just waiting outside." She smiled brightly.

Her pulse raced in her throat. This was the most he'd tried since she moved in. She likely shouldn't have pushed him like that earlier, but she was sick of him always spying on her and waiting for some chance to get into her panties. It was never going to happen. She didn't quite get why he thought it would.

"He doesn't really seem like a good match for you," he said quietly, his nasally voice coming out far more sincere than his true emotions.

For a second she felt sorry for him. He didn't seem to have any friends that came by and had no clue how to talk to women. Maybe he was just lonely.

She smiled warmly at him, hoping to end the situation without too much drama.

"Thanks for caring," she said and moved a little, so she could head to the elevator. "I really should be go-"

She froze when his sweaty palm gripped her arm with more force than she thought him capable.

"You need to come see my new figurine," he said and tugged her toward his door.

Val held firm and glared at the creep. Now, he'd gone too far.

"Let go of my arm, Nigel," she said through gritted teeth.

She formed her fist into a tight little ball. Kicking his ass might be a little fun, but she really had to think about the big picture. How would it look to the hybrid below if she wailed on this piece of shit? She didn't need him suspicious when she'd finally found her opening to get into Luna Lodge.

"No," Nigel whined. "She looks just like you. You're going to love her. I'll give her to you. Then you can have something from me. A symbol of my feelings. Come with me."

"I'm not going with you," she said firmly.

She could feel her temper rising with each yank.

His fingers tightened to a painful grip, and she winced at the pain.

"I waited for you," he hissed at her. Bits of spit flew from his mouth, and her stomach turned. "What the fuck is wrong with you? You're supposed to be with me. Stop with this hard-to-get shit. It's not cute."

He was nearly shouting now. A chill ran down her spine as she watched his face close off from the normal neighbor she knew from before.

Whatever he had been feeling before was now clouded by a veil of anger. This was a tricky one. Anger could lead to so many things. Many dangerous things.