Chapter 16
Koen
“This is the library,” I tell her, unlocking the door with my fingerprint.
The lock gives a click, and Greer looks at me. “Is that really necessary? You don’t even have your surveillance room locked.”
“I do now.”
Her swallow is audible, and she straightens as if offended that I locked her out.
It had been lazy of me to leave it open the other night. I never thought she’d wander in there, though.
While her curiosity the other night only went as deep as seeing our history together, I don’t expect it to remain that shallow. There’s too much on that computer that she could do damage with.
Too much that she can’t know.
The bedroom before me is large, turned into a makeshift library with tables on two walls and stacks surrounding them. Two extended shelves of books in the middle of the room create pathways and give the room a library feel that I know Greer is longing for.
I ignore the fact that I started building it on the day I met her. She doesn’t need to know that.
“This is… Wow, this is really something. Some of these books are very pricey. God, is this a first edition? It is!”
Standing back, I watch her move through the stacks, her fingers touching every spine as she passes. I shove the jealousy, rearing its ugly head, to the back of my mind. They’re inanimate objects…
“I thought you’d like it.”
“Did you build this for me? Because you knew I was a librarian?” she asks.
“No.” Curt and to the point.
She looks to the floor, and I realize it might’ve come out a bit too harsh, but fuck, she unnerves me.
“Anyhow. Want to see the gym?”
“I was wondering if I could see the pool.” Her eyes light up.
“Sure. It’s nothing spectacular, but follow me.” I open the door and hold it for her, turning back to lock it and thinking better of it. “I’ll leave this one open for you.”
“Oh, thank you.”
Though her words seem genuine, there’s an undertone of something I can’t quite put my finger on.
Moving ahead of her, I open the curtains that cover the sliding glass doors opposite the dining room table. I’m glad I had the forethought to string all the lights from the lanai across the pool last summer because it’s something I think she’ll love in the evening.
Not that I care what’ll make her more comfortable…
Sure, keep telling yourself that.
“Oh, you underplayed this dramatically.”
The lanai has a wet bar to the left, as if I ever entertain guests, and two sets of furniture, one surrounding a gas fire pit. The stone floor travels out and encircles the pool, shaped like a lima bean. The waterfall slide on the right-hand side of the pool ties the whole backyard together.
“It’s alright, I guess.”
“It’s beautiful. You must sit out here all the time.”
“Not really.”
No one to share it with.
The thought makes me swallow thickly, my throat sliding as I turn away to clear it.
“Well, let’s sit out here tonight. We could cook out...”
I turn, eyeing her sternly enough, and she stops speaking and stiffens.
What does she think this is? A fucking vacation?!
“I had other plans for tonight.”
“Oh, of course,” she says sweetly as red flags wave through my head.
She’s done quite the turnaround since I kidnapped her, and I don’t fucking like it.
I don’t know what she’s up to, but I’m going to get to the bottom of it, and her ass will be raw when I find out whatever she’s plotting.
She walks back inside, a bit deflated, and I try not to feel like I’m to blame.
Even if she’s up to something, there’s this nagging need to keep her happy. The way her shoulders slump in defeat has me wanting to kick my own ass.
If I’m not careful, this girl is going to twist me up like a pretzel and devour me alive.
“When will you be back tonight?” she asks.
“Excuse me?” Closing the door behind me, I flick my eyes toward her as she grips the back of a chair, putting the table between us.
“I didn’t mean to pry. You don’t have to tell me.”
“Poison,” I grumble. “I didn’t understand the question. Get back from where?”
“Well, you said you had plans for tonight. I assume you’re leaving me here, so I wondered when you’d return.”
“You’re going with me.”
I loathe how my stomach flutters as she lights up like a summer firefly. “I am? Where are we going? Not to kill someone, right? I can’t be a part of that…”
It almost seemed like she was about to insert my name into the end of her rant, but she doesn’t know it.
I don’t know why I haven’t told her. Anonymity is a big thing in my line of work; that’s one reason. But also, I like having that boundary between us.
She doesn’t need to get too familiar with me; she’s disposable.
“No. We’re not going to kill anyone. And if you behave tonight, you may get to go more places. Nowhere you’ll be noticed, of course. There’s a manhunt searching for you, my pretty, poisonous girl.” Rounding the table, I run my thumb over her bottom lip.
“There is?”
“Would you expect anything less? I wouldn’t. Look at you.”
Blush fills her cheeks.
I drop my hand away, running my gaze up and down her body before walking toward the hall that’ll lead us to the gym.
“Come.”
My stomach jumps giddily when I hear her feet pattering as she listens.
After showing Greer the gym and the door she’s not advised to go near, I left her to get ready. I didn’t give her much info on where we’re going. I only told her to dress for a night out, but not so provocatively that I’d have to kill anyone.
After clearing up some work that needed to be done before we left, I’m waiting at the table, tapping my finger synchronously with the grandfather clock to my left.
My eyes wander through the sliding glass doors, constantly scanning for a threat, even though I dwell well off the beaten path.
Her footsteps alert me to her presence, and my eyes swing over to find her walking through the archway leading into the dining room.
Her face is fresh, with only the barest lip stain. Per my insistence, her hair isn’t braided. Her jeans are faded, ripped, and so tight on her delicate curves.
“Fuck, poison. You’re out for blood tonight.”
“You think so? I don’t have much in that bag I brought, so options were limited.”
“I’ll remedy that.” Standing, my eyes scan over the low-cut black shirt she has tucked into her jeans, matching her black boots that round out her outfit.
“Do I even want to know what that means?”
“You’re mine.”
“As you’ve told me over and over.”
“You need clothes; I’ll provide.”
“I don’t need clothes. I need my clothes.”
“Turn around.” I deadpan at her, giving her no room for argument.
She gapes but does as she’s told.
Her obedience trickles through my veins like warm whiskey, leaving a fluttering comber in its wake.
Working my fingers through her hair, I begin to braid it.
“But you said,” she starts, and I yank her head back to my chest, holding tight to the braid lest I ruin it.
“None of your sass tonight.”
Her eyes take me in from upside down. “I was only pointing out that you said I couldn’t braid it. Remember the whole ‘no’ caveman thing you did before?”
I try my best not to smirk. “Where we’re going and how we’re getting there require it.”
“Oh.”
She allows me to finish the braid in peace, and I’m able to grab her helmet before handing it to her.
“This is yours.”
Her full-face, pink helmet with two horns at the top fits her perfectly. I know it does because I’ve had it on her before.
“Thanks.” She clears her throat, gripping the helmet awkwardly.
I lead her to the bike once Bear does his business and the cabin is secured. My Honda Super Cub is my favorite purchase, but when blending, I know I can’t take it out.
It draws attention, especially when I’m on it.
The neon green panels with purple trim draw the eye even more than my massive stature.
And now, Greer will become the backpack I never knew I needed or wanted.
I remind her where to place her hands on the gas tank when I’m slowing down, and how to move with me while we’re riding again, so that she doesn’t become more of a distraction than she already is with her hands on me.
Her being conscious and aware of me is a distraction in itself.
We needed to blend in where we were going, and the bike was the only choice.
After traveling to the main road, the bar I’m taking her to seems to come out of nowhere, yet blends into the side of a mountainous region of land to the highway’s right.
Sip is where men like me can blend into the crowd of like-minded individuals. Where everyone sees you, but no one’s looking.
“What is this place?” Greer asks as she removes her helmet.
“They have the best burger around, and it’s somewhere no one will notice you.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s against policy to notice anything inside Sip.”
“Ominous,” she says.
“Do you want to go back to the cabin?” I ask her, testing the boundaries.
I can’t take her back; I have business here.
It’s risky, dealing business with Greer by my side, but she’s part of my cover tonight. While they’re busy looking at her and thinking it’s too damned bad they can’t approach her, I’ll get what I need to do done and be back beside her in the blink of an eye.
Then, we can enjoy the rest of the night.
At least, that’s what I tell myself as I look up at the flickering bar sign blowing in the wind over the door.
She hands me her helmet, and I set it on her seat, doing the same with mine. “No one will touch them here.”
“Alright,” she says shakily, unbraiding her hair and flourishing out the messy curls the braid left her with.
I bite my cheek. “Poison, stay out of trouble in here. I’d hate to have to kill again over you.”
“Would you?” Her eyes glitter at the idea.
Tonight, she’s not the kidnapped librarian from Oakland, Georgia.
She’s the killer who mowed me down and left me for dead, and it seems she knows it, too.
“No. I wouldn’t. So behave yourself.”
She exhales, nodding.
I still can’t decide if I believe her good girl act, but I can only hope she keeps it up tonight and nothing untoward happens while we’re out.
We get to the door, and before reaching for the handle to open it for her to enter, I grab the back of her neck and pull her in front of me, grazing my lips over her left ear.
Holding her firmly, I relish in her answering squeak.
“Listen to me well. Any attempt to escape me tonight will land you in a world of hurt. If you think ruined orgasms are bad, go ahead and see how much darker I can get when forced.”
She nods. “I won’t try to escape.”
“We’ll see.” My bottom lip snags on the outer shell of her ear. “Be a good girl for me tonight, and I’ll reward you later.”
She doesn’t get the chance to answer. The door before her opens, and a biker steps into the fissure, looking us over as he sidesteps us and heads to the side of the building. To take a piss, no doubt.
Sip has one bathroom, in the far back corner, which is usually operational for business only.
“Go find us a table. I’ll get you a drink.”
“I don’t want a drink,” she says quickly.
I narrow my eyes at her. “Didn’t I just tell you to behave?”
“I don’t drink unless I’m at home. Ever since…”
I grin. “Aw, did you quit on my account? How bleeding heart of you.”
Her eyes widen.
“Go sit down.”
She contemplates a moment before listening, finding a table near the dance floor that’s empty. It always is. It’s a respectable joint.
“What can I get ya?” the bartender asks.
“One red wine, one glass of your best bourbon, neat. Also, the bathroom key.”
His back stiffens. He’s a young kid, and one I’ve never seen here. If he knows protocol, his face tells me he’s never had to follow it. Not yet, anyhow.
There’s a first time for everything.
“P-passcode,” he stammers.
“Nightshade.”
The bartender, who can’t be any older than twenty-two, reaches under the counter. I hear the safe unlock over the music, and his shaky hand retrieves the door key and hands it to me. “Here you are, sir.”
“Thank you. I’ll return it when finished. I’ll need my drinks taken to that table right there.” I point to where Greer is nervously looking around. “We’ll also take two burgers with fries and some water.”
“Coming right up.” He scampers away, and I ensure Greer isn’t eyeing me as I sneak back to the bathroom and unlock the door before pocketing the key.
I get back to the table as our drinks arrive, and Greer relaxes into her chair, grabbing the goblet in her hand and gulping down a few mouthfuls. “You didn’t poison that, right?”
“Little late to ask, don’t you think?”
She eyes the red liquid, swirling it in her glass a bit nervously.
“Greer, I have you on the back of my bike for the ride back. Do you really think I’d drug your wine?”
“You have already, so I don’t know. Plus, maybe you’re planning not to take me back to the cabin tonight. Maybe tonight’s the night.”
“The night?” I mock, swishing my bourbon before swallowing, savoring the burn.
“You know, when you kill me?” she whispers the word kill, and I find it… endearing.
“If the night ever comes, I won’t let you know it has.”
Her eyes grow worried. “I don’t know if that’s meant to be comforting or not.”
I shrug, my eyes constantly scanning toward the bathroom door.
I have a specific task to handle tonight, and when he walks in, I have to hope Greer holds up her end of the bargain and behaves.
One false move, my house of cards will tumble down around me, and she’s already made the move I didn’t anticipate.