Page 21 of Dissension

“I dunno,” Kara says lightly, trying to hide how on edge she feels. “Some people run away when a random person on the street yells at them and then charges them full speed.” Ray is in plainclothes, but there’s something about him that screams cop.

“That’s not it. I saw him around a few places out of the corner of my eye when we were walking. I thought it was nothing until I saw him again in the alley, just watching us. Watching you. He might have been reading your lips, or attempting to.”

Could it be related to the torture ring?Dread coils in her belly, thinking of the photo of the man shown in the interview room. The photo that matched the man standing outside her window at night, watching her. It doesn’t make sense-

Kara shakes her head, as if emptying it of bad thoughts. “That had to have been a misunderstanding. Maybe you just spooked him, maybe he’s afraid of cops. Why would anyone be following me? I’m not even involved in the Paxton Brooker investigation anymore.Not really. I don’t have any skin in the game, nothing to reveal. I’m not important.” Her words feel hollow. She’s trying to convince herself of their authenticity.

Ray looks weary, dark eyes shadowed in thought. “You’re forgetting one piece of information in the puzzle. You’re connected toDietrich Bittinger. You think a man like that doesn’t have enemies?” Then, his eyes narrow with concern, mouth pulled into a frown. “Or perhaps it’s that he doesn’t trust you.”

Dieter?

Kara stares at him, mind blanking out momentarily before her head snaps back with laughter. “That’s absolutely mad. No one in their right mind even cares about his little subpar third-string lawyer. Namely, yours truly. Hell, I might even be fourth-string in his legal lineup. He’s gota crew, as you mentioned.” She rubs her forehead roughly as if to remove a pending headache. “And he could give two shits about what I get up to during the hours I’m not with him. I simply cease to exist in his mind until heneedssomething.”Well, he is needy, she finds herself thinking dourly.But to care about what I’m doing? Hah. No way, no siree.

But again, the memory she’s trying to suppress appears in a flash. The hooded man outside her window at night, days past. In the dark, smoking, staring up at her window, his features dark and ominous. The tattoos. The scars. The unfriendly, silent violence of his stare.

The man in the dark…his gaze had been filled with a malice she couldn’t possibly deserve.

“What?” Ray asks with concern, seeing her expression shifting with her thoughts. “What aren’t you telling me? I can’t help you when you hide things from me, youknowthis.”

Deciding to let him know, Kara waves her hand dismissively. “Imayhave seen a strange man outside my window at night. Once or twice. Watching me.”

Ray splutters, his voice getting loud in exclamation. “And you never reported it?!”

“Oh,please!” Kara replies with anxiety-fueled exasperation. “This is the city! You know we can’t just report every creeper we see at night! The cops would never be able to take care of the serious crimes-”

“Stalking can lead to serious crimes, Kara.” His dark eyes are scanning her face. He’s making her anxiety worse. Kara stares up at him, reading his body language. He’s holding himself stiffly, shoulders tense. “The very word comes from a predator observing its prey. Plotting. Scheming. Watching until the moment to strike makes itself available.”

“Are you…are you saying I’min danger?” Kara asks him in disbelief.

Ray bites at a hangnail absently, looking back in the direction of the dank alleyway, as if the boogeyman is hiding in there, lying in wait. “I don’t know yet. But if what you say is true, the dots are connected. This moment and the one outside your place. A man you don’t knowiswatching you. And it can’t be for good reasons. Don’t let your guard down, Kara. Be careful at night. Keep your windows and doors locked. Watch yourself if you have to walk alone. I don’t know what’s going on, but it’s connected somehow.”

Oh, wonderful. Ray is certain she’s being stalked.

Kara glances around, suddenly feeling exposed. “Add it to my list of problems, why don’t you?”

“I’m serious.” Ray catches her lightly by the elbow. His hand is warm, even through her blouse. “Call me if you see anyone standing outside your place at night. I will head over immediately.”

“I’ll be fine.” Maybe. “I’ll call if I see anyone.”

“Think about what I said,” Ray tells her. “About Bittinger. About dropping him as a client.”

Kara laughs nervously. She’s not dropping Dieter; the money has been too good to be true and her law school debt is nowfinally starting to get paid down. “That I can’t do, buddy. Sorry to disappoint.”

There’s no one following her.

And if there is,well,they have nothing to do with Dietrich Bittinger.

Dream Interlude

…a strong hand pulls her mouth from his veiny cock, from where she’s been busy between his powerful thighs. Taking her away from the place that gives her the possibility of making him weak. She can still taste him on her tongue. Her lips, swollen from use, glistening with spit. His gaze consumes the ruin he’s made of her, pleased. Possessive.

He uses his thumb to press her mouth open, watching her tongue dart out to caress his skin. “Good girl.”

Her insides coil with delight at the praise.

Nick sinks down to kneel before her so that they are eye to eye. His large hand finds its place at the nape of her neck as he brings her closer. Close enough to kiss, to kill, to fuck-

Those lips of his brush her skin, electric sensations. Her heart flutters and her pupils dilate as she melts into his domineering grasp, welcoming the imprint of his fingers in her flesh-

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