Page 98 of Feral Possession

Beside her, Marcus sucked a sharp breath and exhaled a growl. “She’s here.”

Her stomach dropped. “Really? Where?”

“Watch her,” he snarled to his guard, pushing Dove in his direction.

Dove stumbled, and the guard caught her arm. “Marcus, wait. Shouldn’t you…”

Marcus dove into the crowd, shoving people out of his way. Her heart stabbed holes in her chest. What if Helen was setting a trap for him in return, luring him away from his security detail? Before she could urge the guard to go after him, Marcus caught up with his target. The woman was rocking a retro Jackie O look with her colorful headscarf and rounded sunglasses.

Was this it? The moment they captured Helen? Surely, it couldn’t be that easy.

Marcus grabbed the woman’s arm and jerked the silk head covering free. He yelled indecipherable words at the terrified woman and dragged her back to them.

“Lord Steele, please,” Jackie O cried, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He swung the woman around to face them, and her sunglasses slid down her nose. Dove’s chest sank. “That’s not Helen.”

Marcus thrust the scarf he held into his captive’s face. “Where did you get this?”

“It was a gift from an admirer. I swear.” Tears welled in the woman’s eyes. “The scarf, glasses and perfume were all gifts.”

“From who?” He snarled, and the woman quaked.

“I don’t know. They arrived at my home with no name and a free ticket. The only conditions were that I wear the gifts.”

Dove’s gaze drifted past the weeping woman. “Marcus, look.”

Yet another Jackie O strode straight for them. Same scarf, same glasses. “Lord Steele,” she said as she drew closer, her manner anxious.

Dove groaned. What madness was this?

Marcus’s guard intercepted the woman. “That’s close enough.”

“I… I… have something for Lord Steele.” She raised her arm and the guard seized her wrist, making the woman cry out. In her hand was a cell phone.

“Explain yourself,” Marcus snapped.

“There was a man,” the second woman said. “He said he’d pay me if I delivered this to you, wearing the scarf and perfume.”

“What man?” Marcus said. “What did he look like?”

“I don’t know. He had dark hair and wore a suit.”

“Just like every other man here,” Dove grumbled.

“Check it,” Marcus ordered.

The guard popped the back cover off the device. “It’s clear,” he said, passing it to Marcus.

Celeste strode their way, standing beside Dove. “What’s going on?” Her head swiveled between the Jackie Os.

Dove glanced past her and groaned. Two women in matching headscarves strolled in their direction. “Um, Marcus?” She pointed them out and Marcus released a very Shadow-like growl. Lights flickered over their heads.

“Both of you, back inside.” He set his hand to the small of her back while ushering them toward the door.

“Lord Steele?” the guard called out, restraining both Helen decoys.

“Release them,” Marcus said over his shoulder.

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