Forever Mate by Lisa Lace

Author:Lisa Lace [Lace, Lisa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-01-25T05:00:00+00:00

Holly

I’m sitting at the dinner table, waiting for Zak to come home. I feel sick to my stomach—even now, Boaz might already be dead, Ilnez grieving the loss of her husband. I’ve been bracing myself for any news.

I glance around at the food that is set on the table. Nothing looks even remotely appetizing, even though it’s all recipes from Earth—roast chicken, mashed potatoes, buttered corn. I’ve taken my earrings out. Nilma talked my ears off all afternoon, identifying all the art pieces and knickknacks in the Oliks’ home. I’ve gotten the values and backstories for most of the items they own.

I hear the front door open and listen as Zak walks down the hallway.

“You’re home.” He is surprised to find me here, even though he shouldn’t be. I live here, too.

“I am. How did it go?” I wonder how to introduce my worries.

“Well, my cover is blown,” he announces as he sits down. My insides grow cold, even though he doesn’t seem in the least bit concerned. He loosens his tie and opens the top button of his shirt.

“What?” He was seen killing Boaz.

“On Il’im, it is widely known that I am an assassin. Boaz recognized me. He let it slip to Hiram Kaplan. Kaplan, however, would like to hire me.”

“Now what?”

“We continue the mission. He’ll be on high alert, but eventually Boaz will make a mistake. I just need to be on him at all times.” He says this easily, as if it doesn’t really have an impact on the undertaking.

“Zak?” I need to let him know my suspicions.

“Yes?” He observes me curiously. He’s so calm.

I swallow nervously because I know he won’t take this well. “I don’t think Ilnez is culpable,” I begin.

“No!” he snaps, pointing a finger at me.

“What?”

“Don’t do this.”

“Do what?”

“Feel bad for her. Ilnez is a felon. She’s trying to manipulate you.”

“I’m telling you what my intuition is telling me. What, do you think I’m stupid?”

“Quite the opposite. I think that you’re kindhearted and want to think the best of people.”

“She just wants what’s best for the child.”

“So she can make her fortune and go live out her days somewhere safe with her millions. She’s trying to get you to let your guard down, Holly,” he insists. He reaches out, taking my hand in his. He rubs my wrist with his thumb. It makes my skin heat and my heart pound. “Don’t let her win, dear.”

“What are you doing?”

“What do you mean?”

I pointedly wrench my hand away from him. Can’t he see how much I want him? Probably.

“Stop manipulating me. I know this marriage is fake, but you keep trying to play me.” I’m being bitter. I want him to do more with that thumb, but at the same time, I’m angry with him for shooting down my ideas and for lying to me from the outset.

He’s quiet, his head cocked to the side. I try to decode his expression, but he’s too good at masking his emotions. Or maybe that’s an alien thing.

“Do you believe in fate, Holly? That there’s one person for everyone?”

“Of course I do.

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