Page 98 of Stalker's Toy

My fingers itch for charcoal, longing to capture the conflicting emotions swirling within me.

Instead, I take another sip of my drink, using the burn of alcohol to ground myself.

"It's strange," I say, my voice low, "how life can change in an instant. One moment, everything's normal, and the next..." I trail off, unable to finish the thought.

Henrik reaches across the table, his hand hovering near mine. "And the next, you're on a completely different path," he finishes for me.

I nod, grateful for his understanding.

But guilt gnaws at me, knowing the full truth of how Anastasia's path truly ended.

"Do you ever wonder," I begin hesitantly, "about the moments that led to where you are now? The choices, the accidents, the... coincidences?"

Henrik's eyes darken, a shadow passing over his face.

"Every day," he admits. "But dwelling on the past can be dangerous. Sometimes, it's better to focus on the present... and the future."

His gaze holds mine, intense and full of promise.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Henrik

My hands tap a rhythm on the steering wheel.

Waiting isn't my thing, but this is worth it.

It's just after eight, and the night's barely begun.

I imagine her inside, watching the clock, waiting.

I told her two nights ago to come as usual, dressed in black, no panties, with my mask on.

We will see if she obeyed.

I'm leaning back, watching when I finally see her.

All cherry red hair and skin like porcelain.

A few more steps, and she's close enough to swallow, close enough that I can taste her nervousness in the air.

She's dressed like a perfect fucking goth, just as I told her.

Black and fishnets and a hint of something beneath that's just for me to see.

I'm on a wire, and every part of me is ready to dive headfirst into the fall.

I push the door open and let the street's cold breath hit my lungs.

She's mine from the second she hits the pavement.

We meet in the middle, and I watch her as she moves, the green in her eyes shimmering… excited.

She's inches from me now, close enough that I could take her by the neck, drag her into the car with force, with desire.

But I wait.

Patience is the hardest part, the cruelest.

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