Page 7 of Darkest Kiss

I've been doing this for months now and I’m anxious to hear every spare thought that trips into her head. But I’m also a cautious man.

I hang back, out of sight. That’s what I do.

The rope comes out of my pocket without me deciding to take it out. I tie and untie the same knot. Figure 8, loop, pull, release. Again. It's not something I think about anymore. My hands know how to craft the knot without any thought on my parts.

I look up at the offices on the second floor of the building. They might seem innocuous, but that’s the spot that the Vitelli family moved into a few months ago. I wouldn’t have met my pretty girl if I weren’t doing surveillance on the Vitellis, trying to track the comings and goings of the King brothers’ rivals.

Ransom assigned this job to me because I’m the best at being invisible, and he wants to exercise caution before moving in on the Vitellis’ arms business. But Ransom didn’t know that I was going to meet the woman of my dreams.

The light in the bookstore shifts. Noemi’s moving toward the front, her coat already on, her bag over her shoulder. She’s petite; why she is allowed to open and close the store by herself, I have no idea. She's got her keys in her hand and she's frowning. Distracted.

Her dark hair splashes down her slender shoulders like an ink spill. She looks tired, her face drawn, dark circles under her eyes. Has she been sleeping? I’ve been very good lately, staying out of her apartment, letting her be. But I may have to break in again if I think she’s having trouble sleeping.

Noemi pushes through the door and I go still. Her gorgeous, dark toffee gaze sweeps the street, but she doesn’t see me. She should be more aware of her surroundings. I could be anyone.

Look at the garbage I got rid of for her earlier today.

This is the part where I should leave. I've confirmed she's fine, she's closing up, the Vitelli activity upstairs has been normal today. Two cars, three men, nothing unusual. My job is done. Ransom wanted eyes on the building, and I've given him eyes on the building.

Now I should go back to the Tara and report in, eat something and sleep.

Instead, I watch her lock the door. My heart pounds in my chest, faster than it did when I put the knife to Zack’s neck.

I love this part. Being invisible, tracking my prey, keeping tabs.

She jiggles the handle twice to make sure it caught. She always does that. Then she tucks her keys into the front pocket of her bag and pulls her coat tighter and starts walking.

I give her half a block and then I follow. Noemi takes the long way home tonight.

My phone buzzes. I check it without slowing my pace.

You're doing the thing again, Ransom texts.

I look up from my phone. Noemi turns left at the corner.

I text back, Building's quiet.

That's not what I'm talking about.

I put my phone in my pocket. He can wait.

She stops at the corner bodega and comes out a minute later with what looks like a bag of chips and a green tea. She eats one chip standing on the sidewalk, looking around like she’s searching for something. Maybe she feels my gaze, although I’m tucked in a doorway, out of sight.

What if today is the day she sees me watching?

Just talk to her, Beast says.

I don't answer him.

You're going to stand in the rain for another two hours watching her window and then go home and lie in your bed and stare at the ceiling.

"Probably," I say under my breath.

This is insane. I say that as the voice in your head.

"I'm aware."

Noemi starts off, then quickly turns onto her street. I slow down, keeping my distance. Her building is the third one on the right. Second floor, window that faces the street. She goes up the steps and the door closes behind her.