Chapter Thirty
Charlotte
R eaper is back to work in full swing. It’s been two weeks and I’ve hardly seen him. I think what happened in France still has him feeling some type of way and he needs his work to feel in control and to take out whatever anger he has brewing on his latest victims.
Honestly, I’m eager to get back out there too. I haven't had a kill since Christmas and that was over four months ago, but Reaper informed me that we’ll be doing surveillance on someone this weekend and I’m hoping I’m the one who gets to kill him.
Jacob Hughes, a crooked DA, has been helping criminals weasel out of their crimes against women. The man is currently going through a bitter divorce after his wife found out he’s a serial cheater. After some digging we also found connections to Gabriel Moore, the deceased strip club owner I took out months ago. He regularly visited Gabriel’s establishments and would engage with the dancers in private rooms. Some would be found drugged or beaten. Lucky for me, Jacob is a fan of dark-haired women.
I arrive outside the pub Jacob frequents and quickly smooth down my hair in the glass door before I enter. I saunter through the establishment, instantly spotting him at the bar, drink in hand. I make my way to the opposite end and take a seat.
The bartender comes over asking what I would like and I order a espresso martini. Once my drink arrives, I take a sip and look over to Jacob to find him staring at me. We lock eyes. I place my drink down and offer him a small smile and then pretend to scroll through my phone.
I know Reaper is close by, and before we left, he installed a tracking device into my bra so he could know exactly where I am. This outing is just to gather more information on Jacob. Besides what Reaper was able to dig up, he is still a very private man.
He is surprisingly attractive. He has a head full of dark blond hair, clean shaved with a strong jaw, charming smile, and what looks to be a fit body. I can’t see his eyes from here but from the picture Reaper provided me, he has hazel eyes.
Too bad he’s a piece of shit.
Twenty minutes of flirty glances at each other before he finally comes over and sits beside me .
“I thought I should introduce myself. I’m Jacob.”
“Rebecca.” We shake hands.
“I gotta say, you’ve been a bit of a distraction.”
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
“It’s a welcomed distraction. I’ve been going through a tough divorce, but this must be fate.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear about your divorce.”
He waves his hand.“Ah, it’s been a long time coming. Found out she’s been cheating with multiple men throughout our marriage.”
What a liar. More like the other way around. He’s trying to get my sympathy. I’ll let him have it.
“Oh no, that’s terrible. You seem like such a sweet guy. She must be crazy to cheat on you.”
“You're too kind. But crazy is right. She’s off her rocker and trying to take everything I’ve worked so hard for. I somehow seem to attract crazy. You don't seem crazy though.”
“Well, it depends. I can get a little wild in the bedroom.” I giggle.
His eyes widen and flashes that charming smile. “Oh my. Well, that’s the only type of crazy I’m looking for nowadays. What are you doing in this bar all alone?”
“I actually just broke up with my boyfriend. He was more of a boy and I’m looking for a man.”
“Well, look no further, sweetheart.” I suppress the urge to roll my eyes. Damn, this guy is too easy. “How about another drink, on me?”
“Okay.”
We continue talking and he shares what he does for a living. Makes himself sound like a stand-up guy, putting away criminals, making the world a safer place. I know better though.
Soon, his hand finds its way to my thigh, just below my short tight skirt. He rubs his thumb back and forth as he continues talking about himself. I barely have to ask questions anymore; he’s just willingly offering up his life.
He currently is living out of a hotel while the wife has the house. That’s why Reaper hasn't been able to spot him at home and he has friends who are the owner and manager of a top hotel in the city who have been letting him stay there for free which explains why his credit cards haven't shown any info on where he’s staying. He hasn't said which hotel yet but I’m sure it will come up.
“Why don't we take this conversation back to my place, gorgeous?”
Bingo. Although, that wasn't the plan. I’m only to stay here and get information from him, not follow him back anywhere until we have everything we need to know and make a plan.
“Oh, I don't know,” I say shyly.
“Come on, sweetheart, we can have a lot more fun there. It’s not far.”
This really is a perfect opportunity. I have him wrapped around my finger. I can quickly take care of him and it will be over. Reaper can still track me. It’s fine.
“Okay. Sure, why not.”
“Great! I’m parked just around the corner.”
I follow Jacob to his Mercedes and we head to the hotel.
Reaper
Charlotte has been in the pub for two hours now so I’m guessing it’s going well. I’m in my car parked down the street listening to music while I wait. Another thirty minutes go by and I pull up the tracking app.
What the fuck.
Her pin no longer shows her at the bar but heading further into the city .
Something happened.
Fuck.
I drive my car past the bar to see if I can spot anything out of the ordinary, maybe signs of a struggle, police outside, anything. The place looks as normal as it did. I continue in the direction I last saw them heading. My fucking heart is racing. Thoughts I don't want to be thinking about keep crossing my mind. Charlotte being taken against her will. Was she drugged? Did he threaten her? Hold a gun to her and force her to leave with him?
I should have parked across the street for a better view.
I check the app again and see the pin is still. It sits unmoving at a hotel in the Back Bay area.
Fuck! He has her alone in a hotel room.
My knuckles are turning white with how hard I’m gripping the steering wheel.
What the fuck am I gonna walk into when I get there? Will I find her dead? I’ll never forgive myself for putting her in this situation.
By the time I reach the hotel, it's been long enough for something bad to have happened to her. I park my car and pull up another app and hack into the security cameras. I quickly spot Jacob and Charlotte walking in together and heading to the elevator. I flip through various cameras trying to see which floor they get off on.
10 th .
Third door on the right.
Fuck it, I head straight into the hotel without my mask.
I need to get to Charlotte.