Page 55 of Abundance of Obsession

That’s why they can’t discover the truth.

Not yet.

Red nails run along my leg and fasten the garters to my stockings. Eli keeps popping into my thoughts. His face when he couldn’t win this battle against me. His eyes, which expressed what his lips couldn’t say. The thought of me being a mole was terrifying to him. Given the chance, he would trade places with me in a heartbeat.

But he couldn’t.

He can’t.

Ever since then in Feather, he hasn’t left my side at all, appearing out of nowhere like a ghost. This alone complicates my plans.

He’s too close. Sensing something’s driving me, he’s growing suspicious.

Don’t screw this up, Zoe. There won’t be a second chance!

Closing my eyes, taking a few deep breaths, I push all the intrusive thoughts out of my head.

For this opportunity, I bought a new dress in a dark purple shade. Over my bare shoulders, I throw a white bolero. In the mirror’s reflection, a determined and fiery woman is visible. Here’s hoping Damien thinks the same thing, and that’ll let me sink my claws into him even deeper.

A hand instinctively wanders to my neck, where I wear a diamond necklace, a gift from Ryker. During our meeting, we went over the plan and safety measures once more. Pressing this diamond for three seconds activates an SOS signal. Ryker, Theo, and Eli will at once be notified that I’m in deep trouble.

Hopefully, it’ll never come to that, and I won’t have to use it. Still, it’s good to know I have more than just my skills to rely on.

Any weapon could be a red flag for Damien if he found it, so that’s out of the question. That’s why I got a pair of diamond earrings to go with the necklace. One of them is a tracker in case location services are disabled on my phone, and the other is a bug.

Tiny as can be. But they could save my life.

I put my hands on my hips. My nerves are getting the better of me.

“Eli, if you can hear me, call,” I say, even though I’m completely alone in the apartment.

A few seconds pass before my phone rings and his name appears on the screen.

“Raven, are you okay?” Eli asks in a calm voice. I don’t know if that calmness is more for me or for him.

“Yes. I only wanted to check all these spy gadgets one more time.”

“They’re not spy gadgets,” he pants. “They’re safety measures.”

“Okay, okay.”

I press the earring, and Eli confirms that I’ve sent the signal and he can see my location. Then I do the same with the necklace. Once I’m sure everything is working, there’s a knock at the front door.

“I have to go, lover boy. He’s here,” I whisper.

“Take care of yourself, sweetheart.”

Stunned, I gape. Eli has never spoken to me that way. But before anything comes out of my mouth, he hangs up.

Picking up my small purse from the bed, I head for the door.

Damien’s waiting for me, standing with his legs a little apart. His hands are in pockets and his head bowed. At the sound of the lock, his head rises and warmth fills his eyes. A slow smile crosses his face.

“Lily,” he says, drawing out my name. “How is it possible that you’re even more beautiful than in my memories? They don’t do you justice.”

“We haven’t seen each other for a mere few days, so it’s impossible for you to have forgotten what I look like already.”

Damien takes a step forward, and the scent of his cologne envelops me. It’s sexy, with a hint of something sharp. Next, he moves closer and gives my lips a quick touch with his. “You’re right, there’s no way I could forget you. You’re constantly on my mind. It’s driving me crazy.”