“Your thick-headed brother took out an unmerited hit. His head’s worth a lot, but it won’t hold a candle to what I’ll be gettin’ outta you, Bridget Byrne.”
“…If you weren’t a half-breed whore, I might have kept you for myself.”
I’ll bet anything these girls were gonna be shipped across the pond. That’s what he’d planned on doing with me. Might even be what he’d planned to do with Shavonn…and maybeBraughton was the only reason it didn’t happen, short of Shavonn offing herself. Malek did say Braughton claimed to love her. The pit of my stomach felt like lead with the thought that some, or all of these girls might already be overseas…or fucking dead. That’s gotta be what the money’s about. They’ve got a whole side gig that has nothing to do with the fucking guns and blow they were stealing from us—with Ace McKinley. I’d bet every dollar I had that he was in on this shit.
I started shoving everything into the zip-up bag the banker left and left the box sitting on the table, as instructed, walking on weak legs to the door.
“Thanks,” I huffed, trying not to make eye contact as I passed him, hurrying back down the hallway. He didn’t say a word. When I made it back into the main part of the bank, I slipped by the teller’s counter, and glanced up…
The girl that handled me when I first came in…is looking at merealfunny. I slowed, and she didn’t break our staring contest. She’s got balls. The sensation of a spider crawling down my spine took over, and I knew it right then.
She knows something. Or maybe too much. Either way? I don’t like you, bitch. And your name just got written in blood.
Demons are hungry…time to plan the menu.
I gave her a smirk that clearly unsettled her and clacked my way out of the bank.
“I know…I’m sorry. Had a few issues at the new house.”
The thought that I’m taking a bit too long getting home,didcross my mind earlier today…but I admittedly haven’t thought about it since. Bad mark on my relationship card, Iknow. I’m not making shit any easier on myself. And he sounds really irritated. Like I’m more of a pain in his ass than usual.
“You got at least one issue left unresolved right here.”
I did tell him to keep it hard for me.
“I know. Don’t worry, I plan on handling that.Literally.” I smirked, but it was short lived. He’s not giving me anything. Not a snort, not a whimper…a ‘fuck you’…just nothing. I’m screwing this up, and it shows. “Declan, I’m trying, okay? I know I’ve been—”
“See you at home.”
I heard the call drop, and pulled the phone away from my face to look at the screen. I shouldn’t care. That’s the way I’ve always been, but…why did that hurt more than it pissed me off? I silenced it, and rammed it into my pocket, adjusting my feet while I plopped my back against a brick wall in the alley behind the bank. I don’t have time for this mushy shit. Might have talked to Mal or Sev, if either of them had offered me a solution to myownproblem, instead of relationship advice. I’m not my fucking brother. He’s an imbecile and found somebody that can love his fractured mind. I don’t think mine can ever be loved. Not that way.
My thoughts were derailed when I saw Lydia finally leave through the back door and make the walk towards her shiny car. I backed a little further into the shadows.
She’s got pretty hair; I’ll give her that. I like the way it’s cut. An angled bob with blunt bangs? Maybe I’ll keep that in mind if I ever decide to play the part of a porn star librarian. It almost sucks I’ve gotta do this to her. She’s like the polar opposite of Barbie Dreamhouse I took care of yesterday. Does two kills in a week mean I’m developing a problem? Is this how Malek felt? She peeked over her shoulder, and for a second, I thought she spotted me—and she looks wigged out.Good.I likedthe thrill of Natalie being terrified in the back of my car. Sadly…Lydia won’t get to enjoy the ride.
It’s strange to think I’m the only person to know that these are the last few seconds of her life. Strange…and exhilarating. What the fuck is wrong with me? I feel…highon this. Her car chirped, and she went to tug the handle. That’s my cue.
I stalked on silent feet along the wall, pulling a short switchblade from my pocket. The dark is on my side tonight. Seems fitting. Her door opened, and the poor dear didn’t even see it coming as I snuck up behind her, covering her mouth and jabbing the blade six or seven times into her kidney.
Goddamn, that feels good.
“Sorry, babes. You’re a little too eager,” I whispered in her ear, letting the knife rest inside her back while she slumped into my arms. “Honestly though…I’m not that sorry. You shoulda kept your gourd pointed at that computer. In ya get.” I shoved her inside and her weak body made a sound thud against the passenger seat of her own damn car. I rolled my eyes, batting her legs away as I picked up her keys and slid behind the wheel, slamming the door shut. “Let’s take a little drive, Lydia.”
I followed the arrows on the pavement, leading us out onto the street, the steering wheel sticking slightly to my bloody hands. It’ll take me at least an hour to get to Witherle from here. I guess it’s better that Dec’s already pissed off at me. I didn’t expect to have to take care of this tonight. The air coming out of the vent was warm, and the tang of blood started filling up the front of the car. It was like the monster inside me had a fucking orgasm at the smell. Like a shark scenting it in the water. I licked my lips.
“You gotta boyfriend, Lydia?” I glanced over and her chest sputtered up and down in shallow breaths while her eyes rolled back and her head lolled back and forth against thebottom of the seat. “Hey!” I grabbed her pretty hair and forced her face up to look at me deliriously. She whimpered. “Can you pay attention, sweetness? Tryin’ to have a conversation.” Letting her go, I shook my head and returned my attention to the road. “I’vegot one. He’s a sexy little nerd. Wears glasses kinda like yours. Has a dick the size of a tanker truck and knows how to rearrange my insides.”
I glanced over, and Lydia’s eyes slowly closed, her chin resting against her chest while she slumped a little farther down into the floorboard. I just kept vomiting all my bullshit, realizing I’m pretty desperate to talk about it…to a corpse. Safer this way.
“He’s honestly unbelievable. The fucking best, really. But like…ugh…he’s such aNagatha Christie. I leave one dish in the sink and he loses hismind.” My palms struck the wheel and I rolled my eyes. “He’s so pretty when he’s mad, but I swear I don’t do it on purpose. I can’t help that I shed like a cat. It’s just a fuckingsink, for Christ’s sake. Literally nobody’s bathroom looks like a hotel all the time, you know what I mean?” My head turned and Lydia’s body jostled around with the movements of the car. “You’re so easy to talk to, Lydia. I feel like I can just tell you anything.”
I smiled and took the exit on the highway, leading me towards my new friend’s final resting spot. “I used to get fed up right about now. You should see all the pictures of my exes. They’re divine. Bloodier than you, and way more unfortunate. You should be grateful…judgy bitch.” I grabbed the knife from her seat and plunged it into her tit, grunting in annoyance. “Just shut up, Lydia. Nobody fucking asked you.”
“I don’t wanna lose him,” I whispered to myself, staring blankly at the lines in the highway. “But I’m not ready for all this shit. I dunno what to do. If he finds out about this marriage…” I sighed and rested my head on the back of the seat. This car is actually really nice. Seats are comfy. Lots of bells and whistlesto fuck with. I reached over and turned up the radio. Caught the middle of“Goodbye Horses”by Q Lazzarus, and I got way too excited. “Ooooo!It puts the lotion on itsskiiiiin!”
I bounced in the seat, dancing to my psycho anthem and choosing to forget about my lovely elephant for a little while.
CHAPTER 4
