He heard her deep exhale. “Why couldn’t you go according to the plan?”
Elijah continued to examine the knife and scratched at some of the partially dried blood. He had a cloth, dirty as it may be, but it would work.
“Well? What do you have to say for yourself?”
He glanced up to see she stood directly in front of him. He went back to examining his knife. “What do you expect me to say?” Annoyed, he wiped both sides of the blade on his black pants. “I’m sorry?”
“You’re sorry.” He watched as she looked down her nose at him. Her lips pursed, “This puts us in a bind, Elijah. Don’t you realize that?”
He shrugged, leaning back. Elijah realized there was a crack in the wooden chair when he leaned back. It would only take him to put more pressure against the thing for it to crash to the floor. He stood suddenly, towering over Scarlett. “If you’re referring to anyone knowing what we look like…you shouldn’t worry. It’s all part of the plan.”
“What did you just say?” Her annoying voice screeched at a high decibel level. Scarlett’s wide eyes and balled hands amused him. “How can they ID us from that club? You said they couldn’t see shit on the camera!”
“If you’re so worried, why did you send an assassin after Autumn?”
Scarlett blinked and tilted her chin. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Think hard.” His jaw hardened, “I saw you in your little wig. During an interrogation, what makes you think he will keep his mouth shut, hm? He gives them what he wants and might cut a deal with the prosecutor. And you're still fucked.”
He shrugged. “As for the last murder scene, I planted another camera. They could see us from a different angle.” He looked down at her through his eyelashes, “I made sure of it.”
Scarlett’s eyelids flared wide. “You stupid—”
Elijah grabbed her hand, which was ready to swing at him. He held onto her delicate wrist. “What’s the matter, Scarlett? Afraid of your delicate image getting worse? Your business is already crumbling around your head. Daddy can’t help you, can he with all his debt and unethical business practices swallowing him whole.” He grinned. “You’re a fish out of water.”
Scarlett tilted her head back and sniffed. “Of course I’m not worried.”
“No?” He released his grip and watched as she massaged her wrist.
There was a quiver in her voice as she said, “No.”
“Nothing?” His nostrils flared as he sensed the fear emanating from her pores. It was like a drug, and he enjoyed the endorphins that ran through his body. He held the knife loosely in his hand.
Scarlett watched him as she backed away. Her lips twisted into a smile even as they trembled. “Elijah, honey…”
“I never expected to be anyone’s puppet in this little endeavor of yours,” he hissed as he backed her against the wall. He circled her throat with his fingers, like how he held Lydia Esposito’s life in his hands. “You thought you had the upper hand.”
“I never thought any such thing.” Scarlett’s eyes closed as she focused on breathing.
“Liar,” he whispered as he squeezed tighter. “You preyed on my emotions. You would do anything to get what you wanted, especially someone as vulnerable as I was. And I wasn’t working quickly enough for you, was I?”
Scarlett’s eyes flared open, her eyes narrowing on him, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Of course, you do.”
Scarlett Taylor relied on greed. She would destroy what she could for money.
Elijah didn’t need money. His parents left him enough to live off of for the rest of his life, not that Scarlett knew about it.
Hatred was who he was and revenge was what he wanted.
“We’re at an impasse, then.” There was a suggestion in her tone. Elijah tightened his fingers further.
Scarlett whimpered and tried prying his hands off. “You’re hurting me. Please let go,” she rasped.
“It’s not about what you want anymore.” As she continued to claw at his fingers, he added, “It’s about what I want.”
“And what do you want?” she gasped, choking in his hold.
