Page 15 of Silent Vow

I don’t have the time to end him—andthis isn’t the place, either. Gideon will have my ass on a platter next to the duck for Christmas dinner if I’m arrested.

Calista spins, eyes wide, breath caught in her throat.

Contact.

We’re face-to-face for the first time.

She stares up at me, confused, ready to bolt.

“You okay?” I ask calmly.

She nods once. Doesn’t speak.

Good. She’s smart.

And beautiful. So, fucking beautiful.

She’s flushed, and I think about how she’ll look beneath me when I’m inside her. What she’ll look like when she comes.

I take a step back. Give her space.

“Ah…he was a mugger,” she says. She’s lying. I can see it.

“Okay.”

“Thank you for helping me.”

She doesn’t say, “Let’s call the police.”

She isn’t running. She’s talking like I picked up her groceries—like I did something mundane to help her.

“My pleasure.”

I can’t stop looking at her.

I want to kiss her. I’ve never had this desire before. This is madness.

You’re goingloco, Lucian!

“Ah…lucky you were here?” She’s asking a question.

“Yes.”

Her jaw tightens. She’s scared—but not in a helpless way. She’s assessing me, weighing my dangerousness against the one I just neutralized.

She wants to ask me questions, but she won’t. I know it. I knowher.

Are you following me?

Why?

Were you sent to kill me?

Then why did you stop that man?

Who are you?

“Let me walk you home.”