Page 73 of Assassin's Mark
I shot a look at Eli, then Levi. “No, you can’t. I—”
“E”—Levi jerked his head toward the stairs—“give us a minute.”
He started up, throwing a glance over his shoulder that looked suspiciously like pity.
I closed my eyes and breathed deep, trying to calm the rising panic that wanted to choke me. “Levi—”
Warm lips met mine.I opened my eyes to stare straight into Levi’s, to see the strength I needed, to drown myself in the knowledge that he wouldn’t leave me. Except that’s not what I saw.
Levi slid his tongue between my lips, and I surrendered to the rising need, let him delve deep, savored his dark taste on my lips. When he drew back, I couldn’t stop a whimper.
Cupping my face in his rough hands, he laid his foreheadagainst mine. “I have to go, little bird.”
“No.”Please don’t. Don’t leave me.
Levi’s brow wrinkled. “I have to. We have to make this look good, keep you safe.”
I was safe with him, but my protests didn’t change his mind. The gun was placed in my hand. Levi forced me to fire a shot at a wooden shelf near Derrick’s body “to get the residue on your hands. You fired once, missed, fired again.Got it?”
I think I nodded; I don’t know. It all happened so fast and then he was kissing me again. A sob escaped me as he turned towards the stairs.
“Will I see you again?” I managed to ask.
Levi stopped, glanced over his shoulder, and I swear I saw hell in his eyes. “You don’t need me, little bird.” He smiled sadly. “It’s time to be free.”
“Levi—”
But it was too late. He was already gone.
