Sighing, I thought about disturbing her, even carrying her up to bed, but Chase was right. Blood splatters covered much of my white shirt, a dead giveaway to what I’d been doing. She believed me to be one of the good guys. Maybe I just didn’t want her to realize that I’d walked with the element of evil for a few hours, enjoying using my skills locked up since leaving the military.
Or maybe I just wanted her to think of me as a hero instead of a villain for a little while longer. Whatever the case, I tugged the throw from the back of the couch, gingerly placing it on her sleeping form. After grabbing a drink for some heavy decompression, I headed into my office, placing the bag I’d brought with me and placing it on the desk’s surface.
Pulling the bat free, I twisted it back and forth. A good four inches at the top were covered in blood splatters. What struck me as odd was that I had no intention of washing it off, removing evidence. Because I just didn’t care.
They’d gotten off easy in my book. I knew all about the Delgado Cartel. They robbed, murdered, raped, and sold deathly combinations of drugs without giving a shit whether doing so caused deaths. They were true scum of the earth and deserved every strike of the bat.
The whiskey was going down way too easily tonight. Maybe because I’d stared at the bat for longer than I should. Half laughing, I put down my drink and headed to my safe I’d installed when having the house renovated. I’d learned a long time before that there was a strong need to protect myself. Not only because of the profession I’d chosen, but also given the temptation my house on the water offered to would-be criminals.
I also had built a nice collection of weapons, a hobby learned from my father. I pressed the hidden button and an entire bookshelf swung open revealing the finger scan security panel. As soon as the light turned green, I flipped the handle. I had a smaller safe in my bedroom where I kept a few weapons in case someone broke in during the night, but this had the majority of my collection.
As an anal person, I returned the various weapons to their respective locations, taking a few minutes to ensure I had enough ammunition. During those few minutes, I could barely keep my mind off my guest.
Had I gone over my personal line because of her or for her? Or had the easy decision been made based on years of feeling as if the bad guy always won in the end? Maybe a little of all of the above.
After closing the door, I headed to my office window, staring into the darkness at the waves as they crashed against the shore. I’d never really thought about how lucky I was. I was wealthy, powerful to some degree, and certainly respected amongst my colleagues. I had no problem walking into a restaurant and obtaining a table. I also could buy any damn thing I wanted.
But it had never been enough.
I polished off the drink, catching a slight coppery scent lingering on my clothes. Time for a shower, although even washing off the blood wouldn’t erase what I’d done or that I’d crossed a line. Somehow, I had a feeling I’d learn to live with myself and the decision I’d made.
Valentina was still sleeping soundly and Bella was safely nestled in the room where she’d been before. This time, she had astuffed bear snuggling close, one of the nightstand lamps on for a nightlight. I’d need to grab some things from their apartment, so they’d feel at home.
The thought brought a comforting smile to my face.
As quietly as possible, I headed to my room, stripping off my clothes as soon as I was in the bathroom. Amusement replaced the continued fury when I glanced into the mirror. The one bastard had taken a chunk from my forehead. At least the blood was dried. Laughing, I winced as soon as I touched the skin surrounding it. A badge of honor.
Or a mark of a vigilante.
I waited until the water was scorching hot before stepping inside the shower. With both hands planted on the granite wall behind the shower, I lowered my head and allowed the spray of water to cascade over my sweaty body to the drain.
The stream was tinted in red.
Thoughts of Valentina continued to wrap around my mind, furrowing into the darkness that I’d kept locked away. All the questions I’d raised privately about what I was capable of had easy, instant answers.
I wasn’t the honorable man so many believed me to be.
Yes, the bastards were still alive. But what about next time?
Would I kill to protect an innocent woman or any other victim who’d been wronged by the wheels of justice? You bet I would. Laughing, I grabbed the bar of soap. Time to wash off the filth.
Twenty minutes later and my muscles no longer ached. Apparently, I needed to spend additional time in the gym.Finally, I smiled as I stepped onto the bathmat. Another mental note made.
Almost as soon as I grabbed a towel, I realized my dirty clothes were missing. An instant moment of apprehension caused me to reach for a weapon on the counter that wasn’t there. Shit. I’d already returned to my careless ways. With the towel wrapped around me, I opened the bathroom door a crack.
Nothing was amiss in the bedroom. There was no sign that anyone had come inside.
By instinct, I moved to the nightstand, grabbing my second Sig Sauer and checking the ammunition. Fully loaded. As quietly as possible, I opened the door, darting my head into the hallway.
There was no one in sight. Every step deliberate and quiet, I kept both hands on the weapon and checked on Bella once again. Nothing had changed.
I headed downstairs, constantly glancing over the railing and seeing no one. If someone had gotten into the house, they’d cut the security system, which would take an expert to know how to do. Immediately, I moved toward the living room, slowly lowering my weapon even as I walked closer to the couch.
Valentina had tossed the throw aside and was nowhere to be seen.
Still apprehensive, I moved through the house, unable to find her anywhere. Where in the hell had she gone? A combination of frustration and concern kept me on high alert. There was nowhere else to hide in the house.
The last room was the kitchen. Shadows were cast from the light over the stove, yet the dim lighting was enough to see she wasn’tin the room. A slight noise grabbed my attention just before I walked out.
