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A dark, sudden thrill surges through me, heating my body. Raising my hands over my head, I sway my hips to the beat of the music. I’m no longer a mere spectator stalking Jericho. I have a front-row seat to The Cleaner’s next execution.

Chapter twelve

Jericho

The hair on the back of my neck prickles as an unseen weight settles between my shoulder blades. He’s still watching me. As if reading my thoughts, my phone buzzes. I laugh. Well, that didn’t take long.

Minx: Who the hell is he?

My lips curl into a predatory grin. Fuck, I’m hard just thinking of him watching me like this. I won’t deny that I’m showing off for my pretty little serial killer. He’s been stalking me all fucking week, but this time, I’ve been several steps ahead of him. Toying with him. After Skylar left me that last gift, allowing me to take a peek into his dark world, I decided to return the favor. If the man is really as talented as he seems to be, then he should easily be able to stalk me through downtown New Vernon without losing me. Why not see how my little celebrity crush reacts to watching me hunt my next prey?

With thick, worn fingers, Charlie gently cradles his Old Fashioned. How would the White Amethyst Killer handle this rapist? I eye his glass, questioning if Charlie would be suitable for Skylar’s poisons. What is his method for choosing which man gets poisoned or killed by alternative means?

“Thanks for the drink,” Charlie says with a flirty smile behind the rim of his glass.

“Of course,” I reply, sipping my whiskey. “Felt like treating someone after such a hectic work week. I just got back into town. Business trip.”

Charlie’s smile widens. “I just came back from a business trip, too. What field are you in?”

So fucking predictable. “Finance. You?”

“No way.” Charlie’s whole face lights up. “Me too. Did you go to the huge conference in Vegas?”

“Sure did,” I reply. God, does this shit work on any of his victims? No wonder he needs to drug them. The urge to turn around and see if Skylar is watching is strong. This is such a dangerous game, but I swear I’ve never felt this buzzed prior to a kill before.

I make small talk with Charlie, easily bonding over the numerous coincidences he thinks we share. What starts off as casual touches turns braver until he’s caressing my exposed forearm and squeezing the muscles there. I’ve been waiting weeks for this asshole to return from his trip. When I noticed the tracker on his phone settled in one of Alessandro’s clubs, I knew this opportunity was too good to pass up. As soon as I arrived, Alessandro told his employee to cut the camera feed, just like he did at the Gilded Cage. Something they’re used to doing when handling illegal business here.

Charlie has managed to conceal his extensive list of victims thanks to his vast wealth consistently greasing the right palms. I have a list of individuals, male and female, to whom he has caused significant emotional and physical damage. Luckily, I’m not as easily swayed by money. Charlie’s life will end tonight.

After fucking up my last job with Franko, that itch to kill has been ever-present, steadily building like a pressure cooker about to burst. I need this.

I need to steal the very air from his lungs, tracing the exact moment he becomes nothing but a limp body that can never hurt anyone again.

The entire time I chat with this sexual predator, that prickling sensation of being watched never leaves me. Unlike before, I bask in the feeling, knowing it’s my little Minx and his pretty brown eyes on me. He’s probably wondering what I’m up to. Has he figured it out yet? Does he understand that he has no need to be jealous? I glance over at Charlie, and he gives me a salacious smile. Has Skylar realized that I’m going to kill this man sitting next to me?

Thinking of an excuse to look away, I hold up my phone and point at it. “I’m so sorry, Charlie. Do you mind if I reply to this work email real quick?”

Something flickers in his eyes for a moment, and I smile. He never told me his name, but now he’s trying to recall if he did. “Damn,” he finally says. “You just got back from your trip, and they’re already harassing you? Or is this your excuse to ditch me?” he asks, sounding slightly annoyed, despite the small grin still lingering on his face.

“Not ditching you.” I laugh. “How about this? I’ll stay right here where you can keep an eye on me. I just need a moment to concentrate.”

His eyes light up with excitement, and I already know what he’s thinking. He nods eagerly. “All right, go ahead. I’ll be right here.”

Got you, motherfucker. Grinning back, I turn partially away, giving him my shoulder rather than my back. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Charlie lean in and drop something into my drink.

This is Charlie Boy’s favorite method. A little date rape drug that works quickly.

Pretending to finish my email, I turn back toward him. “I’m so sorry. I have to go in and take care of this.”

Charlie frowns. “On a Saturday night?

“What can I say?” I shrug. “It’s a grind.” Standing, I place a twenty-dollar tip on the bar top.

“Oh, come on, at least finish your drink,” he says, pushing my glass closer. Yeah… sorry, asshole, not gonna happen.

I lean into his space, lips touching his skin as I whisper into his ear. “Why don’t we skip the bullshit, and you follow me out to the alley where I can blow you?” He shivers against me right before I step back to get a good look at him. Charlie’s eyes are dark with lust. See, buddy? You didn’t even need to use any drugs on me.

Unfortunately, I know the way he thinks. A blow job won’t be enough—not that he’s getting one, stupid bastard. Charlie is already calculating another way to drug me. According to all the claims, he craves full control over his victims. He wants them helpless and unable to fight back.