All My Broken Pieces (FindingLight #2)

Prologue

Arriana

Two years ago

I follow closely behind Killian, my mind wandering back to the boy we just murdered. I usually enjoy the thrill of the kill, something about the brutality of ending another person's life just gets me going, but this time was different. Instead of the usual high I got as his end approached, a heavy weight dragged me down.

I hate to admit it to myself, but I even sniffled a little as I watched Killian snap his neck. Not that I’d ever admit that to anyone else. I’d deny that shit and threaten anyone who dared to question me. But, in all honesty, there may have been a wayward tear or two I had to hastily wipe away.

Pushing aside the unwanted memory, I come to a stop behind Killian as he pushes the button for the elevator. After a few moments of stilted silence, the elevator doors slide open and we climb inside to begin the long journey up to his penthouse.

I had mentioned an interest in moving into the building a while ago and the ball’s in motion. Just waiting on a few more final pieces to fall into place and then it’ll be home sweet home for me and mine.

And by mine I mean my adorable little Sir Ichabod, my pride and joy.

Some people may think having a chinchilla is strange, but to those people I say, what crawled up your ass and died ?

I’ve been having to deal with such a judgmental person when it came to my application for my condo. Turns out fancy-schmansy places don’t immediately love non-exotic exotic pets, even if they’re totally legal to own in the great state of Washington. Not that I own my precious little Sir Ichabod, but that’s all semantics.

The elevator dings and opens up to the vast condo. I follow Killian out and notice his spitfire woman bouncing on her feet holding hands with another girl. My breath hitches as my eyes take in the beautiful stranger before me.

She’s dressed in an oversized sleep shirt, a simple geometric pattern along the front and back. The fabric falls just shy of her knees and my eyes zero in on the exposed flesh popping out with each leap.

Well I’ll be damned.

A smile spreads across my face, a renewed excitement builds as I get lost in her beauty. My grin fades when Killian storms toward the two, all but shouting, “What the fuck?”

The girls stop their giddy celebration and turn toward the imposing man stomping his way over.

I can’t help but roll my eyes.

The audacity of men. Always thinking they’re the most important person in the room.

I tune out most of the conversation between Killian and his angry woman, my focus centered on the beauty trying to make herself as small as possible.

Fiddling with the hem of her shirt dress, her ashy blonde hair falls forward, draping across her face. She slumps her shoulders, hunching just slightly. A small burst of my own anger flares that she feels the need to hide.

Funneling my rage into humor instead of a sharp stabby stab, I chuckle, “Oh, don’t mind him, he’s just grumpy because we got shot at.” I feel a wave of satisfaction as my simple statement only adds fuel to the flames of fury building between the two lovebirds.

Serves you right. Don’t you know it’s rude to fight in front of guests?

My eyes trail back to the beautiful nymph.

Especially visitors like her.

The “happy” couple continue their arguments, something about it not being a big deal blah blah blah . I tune them out until I hear a melodic sound that is going to take center stage in every dream and fantasy I have for the rest of time.

“Ava, I think I’m going to take off.” The otherworldly creature murmurs, keeping her gaze averted, even from her friend.

My eyes narrow as I watch the interaction.

Ava steps up and wraps her arms around the small woman, hugging her tightly and whispering something into her ear, earning a nod. They pull away and the beauty begins gathering her things. She turns toward the elevator, arm raised to slip on a jacket.

Her eyes meet mine and I forget how to breathe. My entire world becomes the two orbs holding me captive. An eternity nestled in the green spheres.

Ava steps between us, breaking the spell, and I have to fight against the urge to rip her throat out for the intrusion. “Fallon. Babe.” My teeth clench at the endearment leaving her lips.

I find my feet moving as I’m pulled by an invisible thread. Wanting her attention back on me, no needing her entire focus, I call out, “Hey there, I’m Arriana.” I offer her a blinding smile as I close the distance.

Her head ducks and she peers up at me through her lashes, making my heart stutter within my chest. “Fallon.” She whispers.

Fallon.

I heard Ava say it, but the name on the lips of this creature, in her melodic voice, captivates me. I’m spellbound as I take the last few steps to close the distance between us. “Fallon?” I repeat, loving the way the name feels in my mouth. She nods again, her blonde hair cascading down her shoulders swims around her with the movement. “Hmm, I like that. I like it a lot. ” I murmur, brushing up against Ava as I come to a halt.

Running my gaze down her body again, I slowly rake my eyes back up before meeting hers. “Want me to walk you out? Not safe for a beauty such as yourself to travel alone at night.” I wink at her, the corner of my lips curving up into a smirk. Fallon’s face flames at the attention.

Darting her eyes to the other woman, who still hasn’t gotten the hint, she looks back at me and inclines her head. “Yes.” My breath catches at the word. Never before have three letters meant so much to me. “I’d like that very much, thank you.”

My smile is blinding as I gesture to the elevator. “After you.” I half bow, earning a soft giggle that I make my new life mission to hear as often as possible.

We climb into the elevator and I press the button to bring us down to the lobby. Fallon is back to fiddling with her clothes, trying to avoid any conversation. I allow her the silence as I take the opportunity to study her more.

Even under the baggy clothing, I can see her breasts pushing out against the fabric, her slim figure has small curves at her hips where the jacket falls. Her dainty feet are shoved into a pair of ballet flats and she has several rings on her fingers. Her pale skin shows the lack of exposure to the sun, a direct contrast to my own mocha complexion.

The doors ding open again, disrupting my inspection. I gesture for her to go first, following closely behind and enjoying the sway of her hips. My mouth waters as I imagine diving between her legs.

I bet she tastes just as sweet as she seems.

We make our way out to the parking lot and toward the bus stop. It would appear we are both city transportation bitches. As we climb onto the bus, I make a mental note to learn how to drive so I can treat this woman as the passenger princess she deserves to be.

The bus ride is full of awkward tension. I have to fight against the desire to claim her on the bus full of passengers, certain the fellow patrons wouldn’t enjoy the show. Or they’d enjoy it too much.

When my stop approaches, I stand from the seat and lean over Fallon. Brushing my fingers down her face, I peer into her eyes, relishing in the pink blooms forming on her cheeks. “Till next time, mi vida .” She gasps at the endearment and I smirk. Pulling back, I walk down the narrow aisle and exit.

Turns out there’s something else that can give me this feeling. A beautiful little creature who has no idea what she just stumbled into.