“Tread carefully, Calista, or you may find yourself swimming with the eels the next time I see you.”
He hangs up without saying goodbye.
Always sotouchy.
“Men are so possessive, aren’t they, baby?” Cooing at the love of my life, I squat down and run a loving hand over Ronan’s dark fur, “Always trying to take, never asking if it should be taken.”
He butts his head against my hand, the scars from his previous owner marking the crown of his skull.
“Mommy took care of the man who did this to you.” Brushing the bumpy tissue softly, I bend down and press my lips to it, “Now I need you to hunt down a man for me, okay?”
His tail starts to thump the ground, the tone of my voice promising his favourite kind of adventure.
“That’s my good boy.”
Giving him one last kiss, I grab the silver charm from my bracelet and blow into it. The high pitch whistle shrieks through the sky, scattering a flock of birds nearby.
The scent of Christopher’s blood lingers on the t-shirt I placed on the ground, the sound of Ronan’s bark mingling with the wildlife screaming for help.
My favourite boy, chasing down my new toy.
Oh, dear.
I hope you run fast, Devil.
Chapter 11
CHRISTOPHER
Vigilance and intuition.
The two factors that can make or break a thief. Considering how long I’ve been playing this game, I like to think my vigilance and intuition are pretty top tier.
Knowing when to blend in and when to stand out.
It’s a skill I’ve honed over the years, learning how to observe targets and strike at the most opportune moment. I’m a predator for anything with the right price tag, and there has yet to be a day when I walk away with pockets emptier than how they started.
Until today.
Funny enough, it’s not the missing diamonds that’s weighing me down. It’s the pencil drawing tucked in my back pocket.
I should have taken him with me.
Scoffing at the ridiculous thought, I remind myself that not all misfits want to be found. Not all kids wake up wishing for an escape, for a light at the end of a dark fucking tunnel.
Dorian is probably content living with his brothers. They’re his biological family so who am I to say he deserves better.
He does deserve better, goddamn it.
“Fuck.” Pinching my eyes shut, I breathe out and count to ten.
Then I do it again.
I would have stood there, breathing in the middle of the forest for the whole goddamn day if it wasn’t for the bear.
Charging at me with mother fucking fangs.
“Oh, shit.”
