Page 97 of Beneath the Light of the Moon

Thanks for the flowers, still doesn’t erase your intrusions:Anika

Also, wtf is the lip gloss about?:Anika

Despite him leaving her on read prior, he responded quickly this time.

Mikko:The lip gloss is a shade that I think would look good on you…a color close to my heart, if you will

You’re disgusting:Anika

Mikko:And here I thought my picture would sate you

Levi does that all on his own:Anika

Mikko:Suuure

Mikko:The toy in your nightstand says otherwise

Anika’s face reddened in anger.

Any updates on Ivan? I hear there has been some unrest within your company due to your lack of action:Anika

A terribly risky thing to say, but she couldn’t help herself. Mikko answered shortly after, never one to be bested.

Mikko:You’re going to regret that

Regret wasn’t the word she’d use, but it didn’t matter. She opened his message and didn’t even botherto reply.

* * *

THE SOFT, BUTTERY light from the lamp next to her illuminated the pages of the book Anika flipped through. She wasn’t sure what time it was, only that her back ached from the position she was in.

And she knew she should be in bed since it was a weeknight, but she didn’t care, too engrossed in her book. Rain gently splashed against the window behind her, a gentle melody lulling her deeper into the pages. She’d vowedmultiplechapters ago she’d stop for the night.

It hadn’t worked.

After messaging Mikko earlier that day, his ominous last words had kept her on edge. She wasn’t sure if he’d do anything, or let her believe he’d do something. How much of a coward was he? Only time would tell.

Memorizing the chapter number she was on, Anika set it on the side table next to the couch. Reaching over the armrest, she went to turn off the lamp since her mind was finally dulled enough for sleep when—

Blackness engulfed her.

But she hadn’t even touched the switch.

Her mind was no longer walking the edge between consciousness and sleep; now she was wide awake.

Especially when she noticed herwholehouse was swathed in shadow. Outside, thunder rumbled closer than before.

Had the storm blown a power line down? Or is Mikko finally executing his threats?

Her conversation with him about coincidences floated back through her head.

On silent feet, she slunk toward the cased opening leading from her living room to the main hall of her house. If Mikko, or anyonefor that matter, was breaking in, she’d be ready.

Peering down the corridor toward her kitchen, more darkness greeted her. Not even the light above her stove was on as it usually was. Nearby, she flipped a light switch, testing it for power. Nothing.

The rain outside pelted the windows as if it were clawing to get in. Something like excitement and dread ran through her, the telltale prickle of being watched returning. Someone was nearby even if she couldn’t see them yet. But it didn’t matter, she had an advantage here. Anika owned weapons and was in a space she knew well. An intruder wouldn’t know the layout of her home like she did.

Unless it’s Mikko…