Page 90 of Truth (Wicked Empire 2)

“No thank you, I haven’t decided yet,” I said.

She smiled and started to speak, but I didn’t hear her.

Instead, I was focused on a figure, one that I saw outside the opposite window.

I stared at it, then, looked at Erik, considering what to do.

The answer was simple.

I waited until he looked away and followed a pull that wouldn’t be ignored.

“I’m sorry, I’ll come back later,” I whispered to the waitress, though my attention was still riveted on the figure.

I got closer, following her as she looked over her shoulder and started to walk faster.

I did too, feeling compelled to keep up. Knowing Davit would be angry, that Erik would be worried, but at least in that moment, unworried.

I didn’t know why I had to follow her, but I did, getting closer, even as the figure moved more quickly.

She was a step away, slowed down by a throng of school children crossing the street.

This was my chance.

I got closer, then closer, then reached out.

“Do I—”

“Who are you?”

I looked into the eyes of a nervous, near terrified woman.

One that I certainly didn’t recognize.

“I’m sorry. I thought you were someone else,” I said.

She looked at me like I was insane, understandable given how I was acting, and then walked away.

I did the same, went back to the café, but was still distracted.

I knew I’d seen something, but I didn’t know what.

I told myself I was tired, that the excitement and all the changes were getting to me.

I started to head home, ignoring Erik, who hadn’t said a word. But words weren’t necessary. I knew there was a reckoning.

One that apparently would come sooner than I’d thought.

An SUV pulled up beside me.

The window cracked, and I smiled when I saw Davit.

He didn’t return the expression.

I got in, steeled myself for what was to come.

“You’re back early,” I said when he didn’t break the silence.

“I got a call that you had run off,” he said.

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