Page 80 of Sinister Intentions

My thumb hovered over the send button for a heartbeat, then I hit it before I could second-guess myself. There was no turning back now.

I tucked my phone away and forced myself to remain still, resisting the urge to pace or fidget. I scanned the crowd, my eyes flitting from face to face, searching for any hint of recognition.

And then, like a bolt of lightning, my gaze locked onto the woman who’d approached the bench but then chose another one.

She glanced down at her phone, her expression unreadable, then looked up, her eyes meeting mine. A slow smile curved her lips as she stood, weaving her way through the throngs of shoppers in my direction.

My breath caught in my throat as she drew nearer, her stride confident.

Up close, I could make out her features—a heart-shaped face framed by sleek, jet-black hair, her eyes lined with kohl, giving her a striking, almost feline appearance.

Iset. It had to be her.

She slowed as she approached, her gaze sweeping over me in a frank appraisal. “Nyx?”

I swallowed hard, nodding. “Iset?”

Her smile widened, and she extended her hand. “In the flesh.”

I grasped her hand, her grip firm and reassuring. “I wasn’t sure…”

Iset arched a perfectly sculpted brow. “Likewise. But here we are.”

Her gaze flickered around the open space of the shopping center. Iset seemed to mirror my unease, her posture stiff as she gave the area a once-over, dark eyes missing nothing. “Maybe meeting here wasn’t such a smart idea,” she said.

Our eyes met for a second, an unspoken understanding passing between us. We were both acutely aware of the risks we were taking by being so exposed and out in the open.

I scanned the area again, and despite the typical atmosphere, every fiber of my being was on high alert, scanning each passing face for any hint of danger.

“Maybe we should’ve chosen something…less out in the open?” Iset murmured, inclining her head toward the seating area nearby, which still felt too exposed.

I nodded jerkily, forcing my feet to move as we made our way over to one of the benches.

Iset took a seat first, back ramrod straight, while I slid in beside her, leaving a careful distance between us.

Up close, I could make out the faint scent of her perfume—something crisp and citrusy, like freshly peeled oranges.

For a long moment, silence stretched between us, thick and weighted. I clasped my hands tightly in my lap, my knee bouncing with pent-up nervous energy.

The world continued around us, oblivious—shoppers chattering and laughing, footsteps echoing against the marble floors.

Iset finally broke the awkward silence. “I have to admit, I didn’t think you’d show.” Her voice was low, barely audible over the ambient noise surrounding us.

I risked a sidelong glance at her. “Honestly? Neither did I.”

A wry smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “Smart move on both our parts, I suppose.”

“Yeah…” I trailed off, my gaze skittering away as a commotion happened across the floor, grating on my already frayed nerves.

Iset noticed it, too, and suddenly straightened. “This feels too exposed. My apartment is nearby. What do you say; should we go there?”

I stared at her, contemplated her suggestion for a second, then shook my head. I definitely didn’t trust her enough to follow her to some “apartment.”

“Let’s go to O’Malleys on West. It’s not far from here,” I blurted out and immediately regretted it. There would be a bunch of people there who knew me. Why did I even suggest that?

“Sure, there shouldn’t be too much of a crowd there this early.”

I nodded. She was probably living around here, so, of course, she would know the pub.

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