I picked the lock in seconds after she left. Her apartment looked nothing like what I expected. It’s cozy, and smelled of cinnamon candles, with books stacked in a corner, most with half-naked men on the covers. A Nintendo Switch sits charging in the corner with one game.
She’s a killer with a soft heart, a kitten with blades for claws.
I searched everything but she’s smart, no files, no notes, the laptop was clean. She covers her tracks, so I did the same and left no trace of myself… except the one I wanted her to find: the knife on her kitchen counter and the note with our symbol. And just two little cameras, to make sure she’s safe of course.
The gates open as I pull into the estate, parking beside Caleb’s bike. He’s outside, smoking, and waiting to start shit, as always.
“So?” He grins.
I raise a brow. “So what?”
“Did you leave the knife?” He’s already laughing, smug bastard.
I don’t answer, just take off my helmet, my jacket, and pretend I didn’t hear him.
“You fucking did.” He walks over, smirking like a damn clown.
“Did what?” Beau steps out. Perfect timing.
“Eiden went full stalker with Psycho Barbie,” Caleb chuckles.
I clench my fists. One day I’ll beat the shit out of both of them.
“Just making sure she stays safe,” I grunt
“Right,” Beau says slowly, that shit-eating tone in his voice. I can see it in his eyes, he’s not done yet.
“Cameras?”
I nod, waiting for the jab.
“So… what if she brings a guy home to fuck?” Beau smirks.
For a split second the image slams into me—her legs spread, another man’s hands where they don’t belong. My jaw locks.
“I’ll kill him,” I say flatly, heading inside to the bar fridge and cracking open a beer.
“That’s healthy thinking,” Caleb mutters, dropping onto the couch.
“So you left the knife in her mail?” Beau asks.
“On her kitchen counter,” I murmur.
He sits across from me, brows raised. “So… let me get this straight. You picked her lock, placed cameras, ‘to keep her safe, obviously’, and left the murder knife out in the open?”
“With a note,” I say calmly, sipping my beer.
They both go still.
“Oh, perfect,” Beau deadpans. “Did you sign your name too?”
“No.” I smirk. “I used our symbol.”
Beau’s mouth falls open while Caleb just blinks.
“Why the fuck would you do that?” Beau’s voice cracks.
He knows how serious that is, we never use the symbol unless it’s business. It’s what our clients find on the dark web and what the dead see before they drop.
