Page 262 of Love Me in the Dark
Even when someone holds the door open for her or bumps her shoulder in passing, she doesn’t flinch. She folds inward. Tucks herself smaller, tighter. Like the world trained her to take up less space and survive by not being noticed.
But I notice.
I see everything she tries to hide.
And tonight?
Tonight’s the last time I let her walk these streets by herself.
The last time that she will be truly alone for the rest of her life.
She rounds the corner now, coffee cup in one hand, bag of groceries in the other. Hood up, shoulders tense. Her pace is even, steady, but I see the edge. That instinct humming just under her skin.
Something’s shifted in her since the mugging.
The one my P.I. reported to me after the fact.
Good girl.
She should know the world is dangerous.
That way, when I take her, she won’t mistake it for anything but the truth.
The claiming it will be.
She pauses near her building. Looks over her shoulder like she feels it, like she feelsme,just out of reach. Her eyes scan the shadows, but they don’t land on anything.
I stay still.
She doesn’t see me.
But I see her.
She disappears inside a moment later.
The rest, I run through my imagination. My girl is smart. I picture her slamming the door, lock turning, blinds staying open just enough for me to glimpse the light on her cheek as she sets her things down and exhales like the day finally caught up to her.
My phone buzzes once.
Asher:All preparations in place. Your window for acquiring your target is secured.
I close the message.
My hand curls around the steering wheel, and I don’t take my eyes off that third-floor window while I start to count the minutes until I can make my move.
The quiet vibration announcing an incoming call distracts me momentarily from watching Ivy. Only family and Asher ring through my Do Not Disturb settings.
Looking down, I see my little brother’s name flash.
“Ezra.” I greet him gruffly. “I hope you’re calling for a reason.”
“Just the one you asked me to dispose of.” He huffs. “I think we should invest in a funeral home. Somewhere we can use to dispose of bodies that don’t ever need to be found.
Damn. That’s a good idea.
“Make it happen. Under one of the umbrellas. I’m sure we can diversify.”
“I’ll have Candy do it.” Ezra laughs sarcastically. “She’ll love the power trip she’ll get by contributing to the family obsessions.”
