Chapter 12
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.
“God, you on your knees for me?” He sucks on his teeth. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a man quite as big as you blow me before.”
For a moment, the smile slips from my face. I’m so fucking tempted to smash his head against the bar top.
“Well then, it’s settled. Follow me.” I turn around. My gaze collides with Skylar’s. I’m slammed with a brief bout of red-hot rage when I notice he’s not alone. Skylar is only a few feet away, grinding against some man who has his hands all over his body.
My eyes trail down his outfit that’s so similar to mine, only Skylar wears it better.
His sleeves are rolled up, exposing those sexy forearms. The hard shift of lean muscles.
Those prominent veins. He’s breathtaking.
Skylar lifts his hands into the air, never breaking eye contact.
The man behind him slinks his hands across Skylar’s exposed skin.
Right there under the spotlight, his tight black jeans outline a thick erection. My gaze returns to his, and then I let out a growl before storming off.
I can’t get distracted by this tempting vixen.
Not again. Not tonight. I desperately need this kill.
I need some part of my life to right itself after meeting Skylar King.
He won’t ruin my plans. Not again. I invited him to play witness on purpose, whether he knows it or not.
So, it’s up to him if he decides to partake.
Charlie follows me down the hall and out the emergency exit. The loud music falls away as soon as the door closes. “How did you know the alarm wouldn’t sound?”
I smirk. “Let’s just say you aren’t the first man I’ve taken out here.
” Even though he is. Too bad the man won’t be getting his rocks off one last time before he dies.
“Employees sneak out that door for a smoke all the time. Come on, let’s move down further into the dark just in case someone decides to do just that. ”
“Hmm. That’s probably a good idea. Although, can you imagine how hot it would be to have someone watch me shove my cock down your throat?” He chuckles.
My lips tip up into a sadistic grin. “Good, then that means you should only get harder every time you hear that door open, and music pours out into the alley, right?”
“You bet.”
“That’s exactly what I wanted.” That, and a certain little serial killer to join us for the good part.
The older man struts confidently like a cocky motherfucker as he moves further into the dark alley.
The solitary streetlamp reflects the wicked blend of silver and black in his hair, a fleeting halo of light before he steps deliberately into the shadows.
Pulling my leather gloves out, I slide them on and flex my fingers.
Welcoming the familiar, suffocating grip.
When he finds a spot he likes, he leans against the brick building and unbuttons his pants.
“Come here,” he commands. He’s dressed in well-tailored clothes that complement his solid frame.
It’s too bad Charlie is so handsome. He’s such a rotten, disgusting creep.
When I approach, he subtly slides his hand into his pocket and pulls out a tiny pill.
The darkness works to my benefit because he can’t tell I’m watching him like a hawk. He thinks he’s sly.
So, is this his plan? Get me on my knees and shove the pill down my throat along with his cock?
“I said, come here.”
He thinks he’s in control, but I’m already ten steps ahead of him. I’m just waiting for my pretty porn star to join us. “Stroke yourself first, old man,” I taunt. “It doesn’t even look like you’re excited yet.”
Anger and confusion war on his face. I chuckle low. Looks like the slimy asshole doesn’t like degradation.
“What the fuck did you just call—”
“Don’t waste my time. If you want a fucking blow job, get yourself ready for me,” I interrupt.
Irritated, he palms himself through his pants.
It’s halfhearted, and even from here I can see he’s seething.
Quietly, almost too quietly, I hear the club door open.
Music spills into the night before quickly fading.
Charlie tries to peer around me, but I block his view with my body.
I press my body against his, trapping him there as I subtly look over my shoulder.
My lips stretch into a wide smile when I spot Skylar.
He presses himself against the building so Charlie can’t see his approach.
My dick gets hard when Skylar slides a pair of latex gloves onto his hands.
Looks like the little serial killer came prepared.
If I thought my heart was racing with anticipation before, it’s pounding for a whole different reason now.
“What was that?” Charlie asks, trying to push me away so he can see. “Is someone else there?” There’s a slight edge of panic in his voice now. shoving myself off his body, I punch him hard in the gut.
Charlie lets out a cry of pain and hunches over, stumbling forward. I catch him easily, punching him in the face. Leather snags against skin. His head slams back against the brick wall with a delicious, sickly crunch.
I need this.
When other killers talk about a beast living inside them, I used to think it was such a fucking cliché.
It’s not. I can feel its metaphorical claws scraping against my ribs.
Tonight, I don’t want clean lines or the distant echo of a rifle shot.
I need to feel it. It’s been too damn long.
I want it to be raw, messy, and unforgiving.
I tug my tactical blade from my pocket.
Charlie falls onto the rough asphalt, coughing and spitting blood. My eyes wander over to a large tear on his cheek. It’s gushing blood. There’s something so satisfying about leather gloves ripping the skin open.
Skylar casually approaches. He’s no longer hiding, but it’s also obvious he isn’t a civilian rushing in to help the sexual predator on the ground. Charlie’s gaze jumps from my blade up to Skylar. “Oh god, help. Help me. He’s a fucking monster.”
Skylar’s eyes have a murderous gleam that reminds me of the angry man I saw at the restaurant weeks ago. He doesn’t bother looking at me, just studies the man on the ground as he saunters between us. Fingers lightly glide over the exposed skin on my forearm, causing my cock to jump.
“Oh, I don’t know, Charlie. From where I’m standing, it looks like you might be the monster here.”
I arch a brow, surprised he knows Charlie’s name. It’s not like Charlie Foreman hasn’t been in the news numerous times, but the fact that he pegged Charlie right away means that he must have had his sights on him, right?
“Let’s see, four reports of sexual harassment.
Three known cases of sexual assault. Buried.
Gone. Poof.” Skylar taps his chin, the gesture mockingly innocent as he paces a deliberate path between me and the bleeding man on the ground.
Every pass is a calculated torment, taunting Charlie while teasing me.
The ghost of his knuckles brushes my hip.
My arm. My thigh. A fleeting, heavy heat that promises everything and guarantees nothing.
“No!” he shouts. “I was cleared of all that. Lies!”
Skylar continues as if Charlie hadn’t said a thing.
“There are even numerous rumors that you’re a pedophile, Charlie.
So, no, I don’t think Jericho is a monster.
The only monster here is you.” The little minx never raises his voice; he doesn’t lose his composure.
But I see it: his pretty eyes are vibrant, wild, and a touch deranged.
Fucking hell. I’m not looking at Skylar King, the porn star and entrepreneur.
I’m catching a glimpse of the White Amethyst Killer, and I’m obsessed.