Page 49 of Run Little Fawn

The clerk rings up my purchases with a bored efficiency, barely glancing at the items as he scans them. I hand over the black card, my heart pounding in my chest as I wait for the transaction to go through.

But there's no issue, no sudden alarms or flashing lights. The machine beeps, the receipt prints, and just like that, I'm one step closer to becoming someone else entirely.

I grab my bags, hurrying out of the store before I can lose my nerve. The night air is cool on my skin, a welcome respite from the harsh fluorescent lights.

I duck into an alley, my fingers already reaching for the wig. I tug it on, adjusting it until it sits just right. The synthetic fibers are itchy against my scalp, but I ignore the discomfort. It's a small price to pay for anonymity.

Next, I strip off my hoodie and jeans, replacing them with the nondescript clothes from the store.

The leggings are a bit too tight, the shirt a bit too loose, but that's all part of the disguise. I'm not supposed to look put-together, not supposed to draw any attention.

I stuff my old clothes into my bag, along with the baseball cap and sunglasses. I'll need them later, when I'm ready to become Aria again.

But for now, I'm someone else entirely.

I'm a drifter, a loner, just another face in the crowd. I hunch my shoulders, adopting a slouching posture that screams, "Don't look at me."

I step out of the alley, blending seamlessly into the early morning foot traffic. No one spares me a second glance, their eyes sliding right over me as if I'm not even there.

It's a strange feeling, this invisibility. It's both exhilarating and terrifying, a rush of power and a pang of loneliness all at once. But it's necessary, a crucial part of the game I'm playing.

As I walk, my mind whirs with the possibilities.

Where will I go?

What will I do?

How will I stay one step ahead of Lucian?

The neon glow of the adult entertainment shop's sign flickers in my peripheral vision, a beacon of temptation amidst the predawn gloom.

I pause, my gaze drawn to the lingerie display in the window. A tantalizing array of lace and satin in shades of midnight and sin.

A sudden idea sparks in my mind, a flash of inspiration that sends a thrill down my spine. Why not take the disguise a step further? Become someone truly unrecognizable, even to myself?

Before I can second-guess myself, I'm pushing through the door, the bell above tinkling with a naughty promise.

The shop is dimly lit, the air thick with the heady scent of leather and lust. I keep my head down as I browse the racks, my fingertips skimming over the delicate fabrics with a reverence that borders on the obscene.

I settle on a set in a rich, deep burgundy. A daring balconette bra with a plunging neckline and a matching pair of high-waisted panties that leave little to the imagination. It's a far cry from anything I'd ever wear in my normal life, but that's precisely the point.

I'm shedding my skin, becoming someone new.

And even if it flies in the face of Lucian's advice to blend in as much as possible, I have an idea for a way to get under the Hunter's skin, if he backs me into a corner.

To turn the tables on him for a change.

As I make my way to the register, I spot a display of wigs, these ones far more high-end than the cheap synthetic one I'm currently wearing.

I pause, my gaze drawn to the flowing blond curls that are just about the exact opposite of any hairstyle I've ever worn. It's a wig that screams confidence, sex appeal, and a devil-may-care attitude. The exact opposite of the one I'm wearing right now.

Perfect.

I add it to my purchases, along with a few other items that catch my eye. A pair of fishnet stockings, a tube of blood-red lipstick, a small bottle of perfume with a musky, provocative scent.

The total is more than I'd normally spend on such frivolities, but I don't hesitate as I hand over Lucian's black card.

Let him wonder what I'm up to. Let him try to figure out my game if he is keeping tabs on what I spend.

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