Page 29 of Run Little Fawn

With a final glance at the hotel, I turn and melt back into the city crowds, just another face in a sea of strangers. I have preparations to make, a chessboard to arrange to my liking.

But first, a visit to my own hotel room, to shower and change and don the armor of the suave city gentleman. Lucian Voss, international playboy and connoisseur of the finer things in life.

It's a mask I wear well, one that fits like a second skin. But beneath the polished veneer and the charming smile, the predator still lurks. Watching, waiting, ready to pounce at the first sign of weakness.

And tonight, at a candlelit table for two, I will begin to peel back the layers of Aria Moreau. I will learn her hopes and her fears, her dreams and her desires. I will find the cracks in her armor, the soft spots where my claws can sink deep.

And then, when the time is right, the wolf will strike.

Chapter Fourteen

THE FAWN

He found me.

The thought ricochets through my mind as I slip into my hotel room, my heart pounding against my ribcage. I can still see his piercing gaze locking onto mine for that fleeting moment before I tore my eyes away, pretending not to notice him.

A futile attempt, I know, but maybe it bought me a sliver of time.

I lean against the door, closing my eyes and inhaling deeply. The inevitability of this moment has always lingered in the back of my mind, a taunting specter waiting to materialize. Yet, the reality of it still sends a shiver down my spine.

He won't strike immediately, I reassure myself, my analytical side grasping for logic amidst the chaos. If he intended to, he would have done so already.

No, this is a game of cat and mouse, and he relishes the thrill of the chase.

With that thought, a wry smile tugs at my lips.

If he wants to play, then I'll make the most of the time he so graciously grants me.

I stuff my bag into the hotel safe, strip off my clothes, leaving a trail to the bathroom, and step into the steaming shower. The hot water cascades over my skin, soothing the tension from my muscles. I tilt my head back, letting the droplets run down my face, a momentary reprieve from the impending storm.

After what feels like an eternity, I reluctantly turn off the water and wrap myself in a plush towel.

Exhaustion seeps into my bones, the weight of the day finally catching up to me. I collapse onto the bed, the soft mattress embracing my weary body.

Sleep now, worry later, I tell myself as my eyelids grow heavy. If he's going to come for me, I might as well be well-rested on his time.

Not mine.

A few hours later, I wake up feeling surprisingly refreshed.

The dress I bought at the department store earlier hangs in the closet, a silent reminder of the role I must play. That isn't all I got at the department store. I treated myself to a nice wallet on this asshole's dime so I could stash my bag in the safe, and I picked up some makeup and other necessities, too, to make myself halfway presentable.

I slip it on, the silky fabric caressing my skin like a lover's touch. The deep green hue complements my eyes, making them appear even more vivid. The fabric is tighter around my hips and bust, making me look like a siren in an old movie, and tonight, that's exactly what I have to be.

Hunting is his game.

Seduction is mine.

I run my fingers through my hair, tousling the waves until they fall in a cascading mane around my shoulders.

Not bad, I muse, a hint of satisfaction tugging at the corners of my mouth. If I'm going to face him, I might as well do it looking my best. A small act of defiance, perhaps, but it gives me a sense of control in a situation where I have precious little.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what lies ahead. The anticipation is a tangible presence in the room, crackling like electricity in the air.

I know he's out there, watching, waiting for the perfect moment to make his move.

But I refuse to cower in fear.

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