Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
CHARLI
I lean against the kitchen counter, staring at the glass in my hand. It’s empty now. The last sip, swallowed quietly as Jake slurred out a half-hearted joke, was the one that did it. He’s asleep on the couch now—his breathing steady, deep, almost peaceful. The kind of sleep that only comes after a night of too much alcohol and something much darker.
His body sprawled out on the couch is almost a relief, as strange as that sounds. But tonight, I felt the need for domination take over me and knew I couldn’t do that to Rafe ever.
There was no hesitation to go do this…per usual.
The liquid in the syringe—just a drop, mixed into his drink. He didn’t even notice. And for that, I’m grateful. He made this even easier than the last idiot. He never suspected a thing. Not even when he started to feel off. Not when I smiled at him as his eyes began to slowly shut.
I walk into the living room and sit down on the armrest of the couch, watching him, watching the slow rise and fall of his chest. His mouth is slightly open, his hair messy, his jeans still on, untucked. He looks pathetic like this. Helpless. Just how I need him to be so I can enjoy my night.
I’ve been doing this dance for so long, pretending to be friends with these men, pretending that the way they touch me, the way they smiled like we shared something deeper, didn’t make my stomach twist in knots. Because I “wanted” them…or so they thought.
He should've looked deeper and seen what was sitting in front of him. Maybe he could have saved himself. But instead he was thinking with his dick and wanted to chase that high.
But that’s not how it went. Thank all that is holy. He only saw what he wanted. And now, I get to fulfill my own needs of the night.
I stand up slowly and walk over to the window, staring out at the city below. I could go out there. I could go back to Rafe and see what more comes of the night.
And if I’m being honest with myself, there’s a part of me that feels… free.
The poison was simple—clean. He won’t remember any of this in the morning, if he even wakes up at all. Maybe he’ll think it was just too much alcohol, a bad night. Maybe he’ll never know that it was me, the girl he had intended to use to get himself off tonight. Maybe he’ll never realize that it was me and we could try this again another night.
My eyes flick over to him, his face still relaxed in that sleep, unaware. It’s almost... pitiful. But I can’t feel sorry for him. But I can feel sorry for Rafe.
I take a deep breath and walk into the kitchen to clean up. The silence in the apartment feels strange, but not unwelcome. It’s the first time in so long that I feel like I’ve taken control of my own life but also the first time I wonder if it’s all worth it when Rafe is so close and so in reach now.
And in the silence, the weight of it settles over me like a blanket. It’s not over. Not yet. And I think I might be okay with that.
When I hear him stir, my heart doesn’t race. It doesn’t jump in fear or excitement. It simply... steadies. Like the calm after a storm.
I make up my mind and grab a butcher knife from the drawer before making my way over to Jake’s unmoving body. Without a second thought, I bring the blade across the front of his throat and listen as he chokes on his own blood, reveling in the glorious sound of life fading away.