Chapter 34
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
TRISTAN
Even with Daphne in my home, under my watch, I don’t think she’s safe.
It’s been quiet. Well, quiet until I have Daphne screaming my name multiple times a day. Thank fuck I do cardio, or I wouldn’t be able to keep up with her demands.
But besides sexy times with my girlfriend, the house is usually silent. I’m used to silence and its solitude. My own Bat Cave. But instead of some nepo-baby, martial-arts master hellbent on capturing Joker, I’m a reformed crypto-bro trying to catch a stalker.
And, as much as I hate Ghost_M110 for what he’s done to Daphne, I have to give him credit—the guy’s fucking clever. He’s hidden his tracks online. I’ve scoured every corner of the internet, but his username is only on the dark webpage we both frequent. No one’s given any clues about this guy.
I keep saying ‘guy.’ They could be female or gender fluid. They’re just as clever as men—usually more so if I’m comparing the women and men I know personally.
But Ghost_M110 is also a fucking coward. Cowards hide behind guns.
That’s one reason I don’t use guns in my kills. They’re cold and distant, lacking finesse, forethought, and creativity. If someone dies at my hands, it’s because of me. My plots. My explosions. My slices and stabs. Not a fucking bullet.
I’m an artist, not a monster.
And I promised Tuck. Tuck only ever made me promise two things: don’t get caught, and don’t use a gun.
Tuck’s a pediatric emergency doctor. He’s treated fucking babies for bullet wounds before. If it means that much to my brother not to use a gun, I won’t. And I don’t.
But Ghost_M110 is a gun-wielding coward. A fucking smart one too.
I’ve spent days trying to track him down.
So far, I’ve gotten suspicions. Ghost could mean any number of things, so I can’t hone in on that.
But M110? That’s a sniper rifle, one used in the Army and Marines.
This guy was probably military, though that’s still a guess.
He could also just be a gun enthusiast who loves that particular weapon. Different strokes, I guess.
If he was aiming for Daphne, he’s a lousy shot. Thank Christ for that.
But if he wasn’t aiming for her on purpose, if he was trying to scare her… Well, job done.
Ghost must live nearby. He posted within three hours after Daphne was shot at, so he lives at least a three-hour drive from D.C.
If I’m being honest with myself, I have fuck all to go on. And it’s worrying me that after weeks, I’ve found nothing on Ghost.
A soft tap on wood jolts me out of my trance, and my gorgeous girlfriend is hovering in the doorway of my office.
“Finished filming, Maggie?” I ask as I swivel my chair around and open my arms.
Daphne treads over, her bare feet rustling along the carpet before she sits on my lap and kisses me. “Yep. I batch filmed a few videos, so I should have enough content for the next two weeks.”
The cheery lightness in Daphne’s voice is infectious. Despite the hell she’s been through over the last few weeks, reading her books and creating content have made her absolutely shine.
I hope some of it is because of me. She doesn’t need to panic about finding a job.
I’ve got her bills covered. I know she’s eager to earn more of her own money, but as far as I’m concerned, my money is hers too.
But she’s always been independent, and even though she’s relaxed and relies on me more every day, I don’t want to muffle that determined spark of hers.
No, I want to watch that spark set the world on fire. I know she’s capable of it.
“I’m proud of you,” I tell her as I tug her even tighter to me. I press a kiss on her forehead and mumble, “Want to go to the shelter?”
“Really?” Daphne pulls back, her bright eyes shining with excitement.
Admittedly, I’m not so excited by the idea of a killer stalking her. Puppies are a great distraction.
“We should bring Hawkeye.”
She nods excitedly. Her enthusiasm makes me laugh as she launches herself off me. I miss her on my lap already, the soft curves of her body under my hands and the vanilla smell of her perfume tickling my nose.
She slips on a pair of flip flops and whistles.
Hawkeye’s paws tap along the stairs as he darts to our bedroom. He immediately launches himself onto our bedspread and stretches out, denting the covers.
No matter how much encouragement, Hawkeye won’t bother sleeping on the dog bed on the other side of the room. He’s used to sleeping with Daphne and me. I don’t mind.
The three of us jump into my truck and make the short trip to the dog shelter. Hawkeye sticks his head out the window, the wind whipping through his hair, and Daphne laughs at him.
God, I want to bottle moments like this and store them away. Daphne looks so damn happy; she’s radiant.
“We’re here,” I tell them as I pull into the parking lot of Furever Love. I rest my arm behind Daphne’s seat and check through the back windshield as I reverse into a parking spot on the far side of the lot.
Daphne grabs Hawkeye’s leash, and the two of them dart into the shelter, starting a barking frenzy in the back room.
Slinging my laptop bag over my shoulder, I smile at Marcia, who’s manning the front desk.
I hang back to chat with her, and she shows me pictures of her nephew’s first day in kindergarten, which are damn cute. She’s a proud wine auntie, as she likes to call herself.
Soon, I’m headed to the back, where my little office is. Daphne and Hawkeye are already playing with a couple of dogs out in the yard from the back window.
Daphne glances up and waves at me with a brilliant grin.
I wave back and settle in.
I should be focusing on reviewing emails, but I pop onto the dark webpage and find another new comment from Ghost.
Ghost_M110
News Update: Bradshaw Bill is going to the Senate for a vote at the end of the month. Time to end this once and for all
Bracing myself, I do one thing I told myself I’d never do. Time’s running out, and desperation closes in like an impending thunderstorm.
I message Ghost.
AFG
I’ve got the Bill under control. Stand down
Ghost_M110
Negative. You took too long. Had your chance. Now it’s my turn
AFG
This isn’t about ego, soldier. Stand the fuck down
Ghost_M110
You’re not my CO. You don’t give the orders here.
AFG
Fine. What’s your plan? Let’s team up
The thought of teaming up with this scum-of-the-Earth has my stomach rolling, but maybe he’ll clue me in on his plans. Honestly, without killing the president, I don’t know how else to stop the bill now. It’s going to vote, and I don’t trust the senators not to be corralled by Fox.
Killing the President might be my only chance at stopping this bill.
But I promised Daphne. I broke one promise to her, and she was attacked. I won’t break another promise to her. I said I’d spare her dad—even if it means the bill passes.
Ghost_M110
Fox is a family man. We attack his family and send a message
AGF
You stupid or something? Fox hates his family. Only loves his work. Typical narcissist. Maybe his new whip is a better target?
Ghost_M110
Can’t risk it. Cut him off at the head. He’s still pushing the bill after all those deaths? Another whip won’t matter to him. Bet his daughter will
AGF
She’s not in politics. She’s innocent. Leave her out of it
Ghost_M110
Nope. Got plans for her.
Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Fuck!
Who the fuck is this guy?
AGF
Got your six. Let me guess. Army?
The closest I ever got to being in the Army was playing with those green Army men as a kid. But if I can’t get something from Ghost, maybe I can find a list of suspects and work my way through them.
Ghost_M110
25th ID. You?
AGF
Seabees
I have no idea what the fuck a Seabee does, but I remember one of Dad’s buddies, Uncle Bobby, having a bumper sticker on his Bronco growing up.
Ghost_M110
Fucking squid. Go Army!
Squid? Shit, maybe I shouldn’t have lied. I have no idea what fucking terms these military people use. I take one stab in the dark.
AGF
Fucking grunt.
God, I remember Uncle Bobby calling one of his Army buddies that, and I hope it’s correct. When Ghost says nothing in response, I take one last stab.
AGF
Let’s meet. I want in on what you’re planning
Ghost_M110 has exited the chat.
“Fuck!”
Seconds later, Daphne comes darting in, Hawkeye and a mutt named Moonshine at her heels.
“What’s wrong?” The panic in her blue eyes is a sucker punch to my gut.
“Nothing,” I tell her. “I’m fine.”
Daphne’s gaze darts from me to the screen and back again. “That didn’t sound fine.”
“I deleted a file by accident.” God, I hate lying to her, and it’s scary how easily the lie slips out. But if I tell Daphne about what Ghost is planning—that she’s his intended target—it’ll only scare her more.
No one but her family and the Secret Service knows she’s staying with me. Well, Tessa and Tuck do too, but they’d rather have their tongues cut out than risk putting one of us in danger.
“Can you restore it?” The innocence in her voice pinches my heart with guilt.
“Maybe,” I tell her. “I’ll find it.”
I’ll find Ghost.
Because if I don’t, Daphne might be the next person to die over this fucking bill.