“Yes, of course, ma’am. Is there anything else you need while I’m out?” she asks nervously before she leaves.
Did she just call ma ma’am? I get it was said out of respect but damn. Way to make me feel old!
“Don’t call me ma’am. We’re the same age and are still young and thriving. When you’re alone with me, call me Celeste,” I acknowledge while I scroll through my email.
“Oh, and Angela, walk with determination, purpose, and confidence. I notice how people push you around in the office. Don’t take that shit. Don’t ever cower, nor bend. You’re my assistant, not theirs. I need someone who matches my level and energy. You’re worth more than they give you credit for. There’s a reason you work for me. Let the vicious viper out to play. There’re bigger things coming and I need to know that you’re willing to get down and dirty,” I remind her before she leaves.
If you work for me, you won’t be walked all over. If you’re weak, you’ll be a thorn in my side and I can’t have my people become a target from my enemies.
“Thank you for that, Celeste. I lost myself for a while, reasons are not your concern but I’ll let her out from here on out.” She gives me a grateful smile.
“That’s where you’re wrong. For as long as you work for me, you are my concern. Don’t hesitate to come to me for help. We women, we need to stick together and show how damn strong we are. Now, hurry along before traffic gets worse than it already is,” I reassure her.
I need a female by my side who will go to any lengths, no matter how dirty it is. Eyes who see all and reports back to me without hesitation. I see somethingin her. I see a fire that needs to be ignited and that’s exactly what I plan to do with her. Yeah, I have my cousin and dear friend who have my back and will go to great lengths to protect me but proving that a woman can rule this world better than a man, I need one by my side. Blakely’s a mom now and I would never ask her to put her or her child in danger. She would if I asked her but she has a little girl to think about and protect. As will I. No harm would ever come to them.
As I click through my emails, documents start to pop up on my screen. Articles of The Jawbreaker appear, linking him to another murder. Both women are dancers at different clubs. Neither appear to have any close relatives that would notice their disappearance. Clicking on a folder, images of the bodies found in Times Square with vulgar words carved onto them and were both brutally tormented. The skin on one of them melted causing me to shutter. This killer seems to think they’re sinners and need to repent for their actions. Who the hell thinks this is okay?
I’m not a religious woman, but I did attend church regularly with my father. I’ve never seen the people of God go this far to punish someone. It may be frowned upon for the line of work they do, but they never turned anyone away or took these extreme measures, that I knew of anyways. There are always cults and extremists, but I’ve never seen someone like this. This guy is a sick motherfucker. If he wants a real sinner, I’ll give him one and bring him to the God he so desperately worships.
“I see you got the documents I sent you. Sick huh?” Samson speaks from over my shoulder, causing me to nearly jump out of my seat.
My hand goes flying, causing him to duck. I was hoping it would land, hitting his jaw, teaching him a lesson for being a little sneaky bastard. He got lucky and ducked away in time.
“Jesus, fuck, Samson. Warn a girl before you give me a heart attack. Where did you get these? There’s even more folders that popped up under these.” I glare at him before I move back to the screen.
A chuckle fills my ears as he moves away from me. Clearly, he doesn’t want to get hit and have his pretty little face messed up.
“You know better, cuz, you should be on high alert at all times. You’re lucky it was us and no one else. We literally walked through your door, not quiet either.” Antonio plops himself on the couch making himself comfortable. I flip him a vulgar gesture and he returns it, blowing me a kiss.
Larson saunters into my office joining Samson at the chairs in front of my desk. They both take a seat, making themselves comfortable. The next file I click on is labeled as classified documents. This peaks my interest since I love getting my hands on things I’m not supposed to have. It’s like I’m a kid in a candy shop, all the tasty treats waiting for me to devour.
“To answer your question, I hacked into the FBI database. It was a little tricky getting in without being noticed as they seem to have updated their fire wall. Nothing gets in my way, though, when I need to get the intel. Don’t worry, none of this will be traced back to you, I made sure of it.” Samson scrolls through his phone and without warning, he takes control of my computer.
“The killer’s name is Oliver. Very religious. He moved here not too long ago and he lives in this church community on the outskirts of the city. He does work for the community to cover the costs of living in a cabin that's further away from the others.”
As he explains, different documents appear on the screen. Damn, I need to give him a raise for getting all these so quickly.
“Well, I got the religious part right when I saw the photosof the victims. You think this is some sort of sacrifice he did for the church?”
“No, from the reports it looks like the community was weary of him but the only one who spoke highly about him was the pastor. He was even taken back when the FBI showed up with a warrant to search the cabin and questioned him about Oliver’s involvement.” He pulls up the report from when they had searched the place.
Alaric was the agent on sight and found a hidden bunker under the cabin floors. It was empty but had a taunting note left specifically for him. Oliver had wiped everything clean of any evidence except that bunker. Even then, there was no evidence of blood, torture devices, or victims in there. He knew they were coming and moved to a different location, or maybe he had a different location this whole time and used that as a decoy. Mocking the FBI, leading them to what they hoped to find but coming up empty. What he doesn’t know, he has a criminal who plays the same games and is two steps ahead of the law.
“You’re not going to like what I have to say, but keep an open mind. I’m going to be his next victim. We need to make it where he needs me now and not wait until after he disposes of Samantha.” I lean back in my chair, waiting for the explosion that’s about to unfold.
“Fuck no! Are you out of your mind, Celeste?” Larson stands up aggressively, causing his chair to fall over.
That’s reaction number one. I wait a heartbeat for the next, as they’re both protective over me.
“Celeste, think long and hard about what the fuck you just said. You’ve already been down this road. We got lucky finding you when you popped out of the alley in Rome. This is a whole new level of danger. You can’t be this stupid.” Antonio goes rigid and his breathing becomes erratic.
Stupid? Now, I’m stupid? Why is it that men can take risks but when I do, it’s stupid? He would do the same thing if the roles were reversed. Better yet, less calculated and more impulsive. He must have forgotten who raised us.
“First of all, remember who the hell you’re speaking to. Second of all, I’ll be prepared for this. I was blindsided in Rome and I got out. We’re trained for things like this. He has one of mine and I’ll be damned if her little girl has to grow up without a mom. You’d go to this length for me, why can’t I do so for one of mine? Plus, I think it’ll be fun.” I wave my hand, dismissing them.
My gesture and lack of worry only fuels the fire. His face is beat red and looks like he’s on the brink of smacking the living shit out of me. Try me, I dare him.
“I know exactly who you are. I don’t doubt your strength and your willpower. There’re other ways to get her back and you know that. There’s a chance you won’t make it out of there, then what the fuck happens?” Antonio argues.
