Page 84 of Fallen Omega

I do, however, know what this takes.

So why the fuck am I heading to where I put Lizette? This time is perfect to uncover things.

A movement catches my eye, and I go still.

There she is, her scent like rich and heady perfume on the air, displacing the brackish water, mating with the salt.

She doesn’t notice me, though there’s a hesitation to her step.

Lizette’s hair is back in a ponytail and she has a shapeless dress on and her leather jacket. No hat. Her bag’s slung high on her shoulder, and she dips her head and powers on.

I keep back and tail her, then the moment I work out where she’s going, I make the shortcuts to get there before her.

This is my world, the streets and their secrets, and I wait by the tree where I watched her before.

Her damn apartment.

A car pulls up and a woman in heels and an expensive suit gets out with a man.

I don’t know them. I don’t have to.

I know what they are.

They disappear inside and make a hatchet job on the lock. I can see it mangled from here.

Lizette comes into view.

Now she pauses, at the corner, looking around. But like someone who hasn’t had to do this herself, she doesn’t pay attention to the tree.

She starts to walk down the path as lights here and there come on in windows and the street lamps go off.

When she turns up to her building, I glance at the windows of her place. The blinds are up, lights on, and two silhouettes move to the door. I know the layout now.

So, I move.

Fast.

Silent.

And I take her. Hand clamped on mouth to stop the scream, arm around her waist.

I drag her bag into the shade of the tree, turning her, trying not to let her scent in.

This is the first time I see her fear.

Real fear.

I want to sink my teeth into her throat and bite, then lick the fear and sex up and claim her as my own.

But the fear switches to shock and then anger.

“Council members are in your place right now.” I lower my hand and bring my head to hers, our lips a moment apart. “Coming, I think, down the stairs. So, I’m going to kiss you. It’s too late to run.”

Too late because she’s with me.

I can’t move unseen with her. People are known to try to avoid looking at public signs of affection. It makes them uncomfortable, so I use that to our advantage.

The kiss is a drink from a forbidden fountain and she opens for me, her tongue seeking mine. I crumble a little, licking and dancing with her tongue. A taunt. A game and then, as the motor roars and fades, I break that kiss.

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