Page 225 of Nemesync
“Brian will be with me, from the outside. We’re ready.”
He planted a kiss on my temple and affirmed, “I hope she’s as good as you say. I’m giving her the most precious thing I have to take care of. If she messes up, I may kill her.”
“She’s the best. You’ll see.”
In the quiet moments before sleep, Elijah whispered in my ear, “Let’s just sleep, myLittle Nightmare.”
“I don’t like that you compare me to that and not a dream,” I breathed against his chest, looking up at those green irises.
A soft kiss brushed the tip of my nose, fingers tracing down my bare arm, awakening a trail of shivers. “You know why I call you Little Nightmare?”
I shook my head, and a sad smile appeared on his lips. The hand that was tracing down my skin settled on my throat, his fingers stopping at my pulse.
His eyes were fixed on the spot where my heart quickened faster and faster with each caress. He seemed perfectly at ease, as if knowing he had all the control over each little pulse.
The blood pumping craved his touch, the warmth and life he brought. Each crimson river carried his existence in my heart.
And Elijah knew it. The experience felt endless. My eyes followed his, breath by breath, caress by caress, euphoria mingling with oxygen.
After a few seconds, he bent down and kissed that place, leaving yet another mark.
“Another hickey?”
“I can’t stop myself, your skin needs me to devour it.” His proud smile returned as he began explaining to me. “People tend to remember nightmares so vividly—the emotions, the fear, the shiver of obscurity that makes you cling to your sheets, opening your eyes wide from the poisonous thoughts. They’re more impactful. Nightmares are my dreams. I thrive in them, that exhilarating feeling that makes my heart beat so fast, the sweat and excitement, the clear vision and memory I have of them. Like you, my beautifulLittle Nightmare. I can feel you even when I’m asleep, and you’re beautifully dark, exquisitely indelible in my mind. I remember your amber eyes like I remember my favorite nightmares.”
Speechless.
Trepidation and fascination sank deep in my soul. Elijah owned my heart, he owned my darkness and my demons, and he liked it.
My eyes closed, and my head fell onto his chest again. “Then, I like that nickname.”
40
ZANAE
Stress and excitement grew within me, especially now that we’re sure Lukas and the other woman are connected. The photo might be old, but it means their relationship is just as ancient.
I didn’t close my eyes all night, and Elijah might have sensed it since he stayed with me for two hours, watching the stars while holding me in his arms. I had the time to finish my book too, and he was the one reading it aloud to me.
I’m stressed, overwhelmed, and so freaking anxious.
If I mess up my part, I mess up the entire mission.
And I need to know, I need to find out more about them.
Dressed in an all-black tactical suit, I checked my weapons carefully—a blade and a gun—along with my ammunition.
Everything seems good.
I’m ready.
I’m absolutely ready. It’s time.
I have to be the best and I can’t let them down.
Being a woman in this world felt like a battle of its own. I couldn’t ignore the constant thought I’ve had my whole life: I had to fight for every ounce of respect I earned. I understoodvery early on that no matter how brilliant, strong, or confident a woman is, she will never feel equally respected as a man.
I spent my entire life helping my father, negotiating with the worst of humanity; murderers, kidnappers, sadists, and I did it without flinching because I knew they weren’t afraid of me at first. But they soon realized I was dangerous; I was my father’s right hand, providing him with information on everyone to build his empire. I ended wars by uncovering traitors, facilitated relationships with the police, and assisted him in every way. But he never said thank you or acknowledged the sacrifices I made for his empire.
