Page 42 of Run Little Fawn

There's a dark promise in his words, a heat that sears through me like a brand.

I think of the way he touched me last night, the way he played my body like a finely tuned instrument. The thought of him doing it again, of claiming me so completely, sends a shiver down my spine.

But I can't let him see that, can't let him know the effect he has on me. So I straighten my spine, squaring my shoulders as I meet his gaze head-on. "Then I guess I'd better make sure you work for it, hadn't I?"

A slow, wicked smile spreads across his face. "Oh, I'm counting on it."

With that, he steps back, nodding toward the targets. "Again. And this time, aim for the head."

I raise the gun, my hands steady despite the riot of emotions churning within me. I breathe in, then out, my finger tightening on the trigger as I line up the shot. The gun jumps in my hand, the sound of the shot echoing through the clearing.

This time, the hole appears in the center of the target's forehead, a perfect bullseye. I lower the gun, a fierce, savage satisfaction burning through me.

I may be his prey, but I'll be damned if I make it easy for him. If Lucian wants a challenge, then that's exactly what I'll give him.

And when the time comes, I'll make sure he knows exactly what he's getting himself into.

Because this fawn bites back.

Chapter Eighteen

THE HUNTER

Tap tap tap.

Aria's fingernails drum an impatient rhythm on the wooden table, each impact reverberating through the bustling coffee shop.

Her green eyes flick to me, annoyance simmering beneath long lashes. "Twenty minutes, Lucian. We've been people-watching for twenty minutes."

I take a slow sip of my espresso, savoring the rich bitterness on my tongue before meeting her gaze. "Patience, little fawn. This is a more crucial aspect of your training than squeezing a trigger."

She huffs, a stray chestnut lock fluttering against her cheek. "We're on borrowed time. The next hunt—"

"—Can wait," I finish, my tone brooking no argument.

Aria may be a quick study with a firearm, but true mastery of the hunt requires a keener understanding of the prey. And in order to become entertaining prey, she needs to learn to think like a hunter.

I nod toward the window, the sidewalk beyond teeming with oblivious pedestrians. "Tell me, what do you see?"

Aria's brow furrows as she scans the passing figures, her full lips pressing into a thin line. "A woman in a red coat, talking on her phone. A teenager with a skateboard. An old man feeding pigeons. A couple arguing. Lucian, this is pointless."

She groans, bored.

I lean back in my chair, a wry smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. "Look deeper, Aria. Surface observations won't suffice in our line of work."

She crosses her arms, a challenge sparking in those striking emerald irises. "Enlighten me then, oh wise one."

Amusement ripples through me at her sarcasm. I incline my head, accepting the challenge, and turn my attention to the milling crowd outside.

"The woman in the red coat," I begin, my voice low and measured. "Notice her shoes. Designer, but well-worn. Her coat is tailored, but a past season. She's clinging to a lifestyle she can no longer afford. The call? Likely a job interview, judging by her anxious pacing."

Aria's eyes widen slightly, her interest piqued despite herself.

I continue, my gaze settling on the teenager. "The skateboarder. His clothes are threadbare, but his board is high-end. A gift, perhaps, from an absent father attempting to buy affection. The way he keeps glancing around, seeking approval, validation—he's starved for attention."

The old man is next, my analysis flowing freely now. "Feeding pigeons, a simple act of kindness. But see how his hands tremble? The deliberate, careful movements? Early-stage Parkinson's, I'd wager. He's savoring his independence while he still can."

Finally, the arguing couple. "Newlyweds," I deduce, noting the shiny bands on their fingers. "The honeymoon phase has worn off, and reality has set in. See how she keeps touching her stomach? I suspect an unplanned pregnancy, and he's not ready for the responsibility."

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