26. Stevie
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
STEVIE
Sebastian drugged four people in less than an hour. He’s dangerous. And the more time I spend around him, the more real it becomes.
But do I believe he’d hurt me? Never. I trust him.
Sebastian will take out the entire world before letting an innocent person get hurt.
And that is one of his addictive qualities—and something I never thought I’d be attracted to.
In my mind, I always go back to us Levinsons and our complicated relationship with justice as the reason I feel passionate about things the way I do.
But who really knows what lurks beyond my surface?
Could this be who I’ve been my whole life?
Hell, that’s why I became a mortician. The desire to take care of people when they can no longer speak for themselves gives me a purpose.
But what if I have a new passion? Calling?
What if I’m meant to be a part of something more powerful?
Working with Sebastian could give me the opportunity to save lives before they reach a point where they can’t speak.
“Pull around to the back of the alley,” Sebastian instructs Hayden from the back seat of a black SUV.
Hayden turns down a narrow, dark street and pulls the car to the side next to a dumpster, ensuring we’re out of view.
My stomach is in knots because I know what my role is tonight, and even though I did something similar with Larry, this time feels more dangerous. In an environment where things are uncontrolled, taking a step away from that leaves room for something to go wrong.
Sebastian turns to me, his eyes are soft but confident. “How are you feeling?”
The thumping of my heart against my ribcage is loud enough for the entire car to hear. “I’m fine.”
“Sorry, we can’t use the SEs, but I can’t take a chance on Pete seeing it. Especially when I won’t be right next to you to interfere or make sure you maintain distance.”
“I understand.” I anxiously smooth out my dress.
“We’ll be right here and won’t let anything happen to you, Stevie.” Hayden’s expression of compassion is subtle, but it makes me feel protected. “Besides, I value my life, and I know Seb would kill me if anything did happen.
“Do you have the roofie?” Sebastian asks.
I nod and pull out the white substance from my pocket to show him.
“Good.”
“Okay, I’m going in.” With adrenaline coursing through my veins, I rest my hand on the latch of the passenger side door, but before I open it, a warm hand has found the back of my head. I turn around right as Sebastian snakes his wrist around my hair.
“You can do this,” Sebastian says. Then, with a gentle tug, he pulls my head, leans in, and brings his lips to my forehead. “I will watch you the entire time.”
My eyelids close. My insides liquefy. His lips linger on my skin, and it’s the most beautiful feeling.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“Are you sure you two only fucked that one time?” Hayden blurts out, staring at us in the rearview mirror.
Sebastian ignores him and slowly pulls back. “Don’t eat or drink anything.” His finger caresses my earlobe, bringing my attention to the earpiece. “I’ll be right here the entire time.”
I nod. “I know.”
And with that, I step out of the SUV into the cool alleyway. I turn back, glancing at Hayden. He gestures toward the back door of the café, and I return a nod in acknowledgment. Then, after one deep breath of precious air, I make my way around the front of the vehicle and head into the building.
The scent of fresh bread and herbs infiltrates my nostrils the moment I enter the café. I can’t explain why, but I get washed in comfort. The smells remind me of being on vacation, enjoying a nice evening out with friends, giving me an ounce of familiarity.
Scanning the room, I assess each area of the restaurant. The dining room is larger than I expected, but cozy.
I spot Pete right away.
With a quick reminder of what Sebastian and Hayden prepped me for on the drive here, we discussed a loose plan on how to approach Pete and what things I can say to capture his attention. Since I entered through the back of the dining room, near the restrooms, I can approach Pete from behind.
He’s sitting in a small corner booth toward the front of the restaurant while sipping on a cup of tea with one leg bent over the other. He’s young and easier on the eyes than Larry, and for a reason I wish not to explore, his looks make the possibility of having to flirt with him less revolting.
Rolling the small bag of powdery substance between my fingers, I gather the courage to roofie a serial killer without being noticed. Men do this to women all the time, and I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t give me gratification to give it back to them.
I need to get him to the motel room.
I swallow every ounce of trepidation I have and head straight for his table.
“Hi.”
Pete’s eyes shift from staring toward the busy dining room to lock with mine. “Hello.”
“May I sit?” I smile.
He pauses for a beat, his forehead furrowing. “Sure?”
Does he not recognize me? He must know who I am. Is there something I missed about approaching other members in public? It’s too late now.
I slide into the side of the booth, taking a quick inventory of what’s on the table. A glass of water, hot tea, and a muffin, although I can’t tell what kind. “It’s nice running into you here.”
Pete clasps his hands together under his sculpted chin. “Is it?”
My hands sweat. “Yes, it is. I feel like we haven’t really had the chance to get to know each other yet.”
“And you want to get to know me?” Pete’s ice-blue eyes harden. “What about your killer boyfriend?”
“Oh, he’s off doing killer boyfriend things. You know how it is.”
He shakes his head slowly. “Actually, I don’t, because if I had a woman like you on my arm, I wouldn’t let her get more than a few feet from me.”
Damn, this guy is intense.
I giggle at his comment, faking the flattery. “He doesn’t know I’m out right now.”
“Shouldn’t you be off doing the same?” he presses.
I tear at the napkin on the table, replaying the rehearsed responses from earlier. “He wanted the night alone.”
“Oh, no.” He tsks. “Not a good decision on his part.”
“That’s why I came here alone. I wanted to have some sort of fun tonight. Then, as I was coming out of the restroom, I spotted you.”
“Hmm.”
“Fate, maybe?”
Pete’s upper lip quirks. He’s satisfied with my answer. “Fate? Did you say?”
The twenty-one questions need to stop, so I make a bold move and hope for the best. I lean in, slide my hand under the table and onto his upper thigh.
Pete’s eyes lock on mine. “I might be able to give you what you’re looking for tonight.”
With my other hand, I break the clasp on the substance in my pocket. “I knew you could.”
His legs move apart. He grips my hand, which is on his thigh. He holds it in place. “Looking for something?”
My heart is pounding. How the hell am I supposed to get this powder into his drink?
Think, Stevie.
“Maybe,” I say.
With his hand over mine, he slides it between his legs. My fingertips glide across his hardened length. “You’re a beautiful woman, Annabel.”
My muscles stiffen. I want to yank my hand away, but I can’t. He needs to believe I want this.
Sebastian and I talked about slipping the drugs into his drink when he wasn’t looking or if he leaves to go to the restroom, but I don’t have time to wait for that chance. Then an idea forms in my mind—one I’m not proud of.
I slip my hand from between his legs and reach over the table. Hooking it around his neck, I pull him close to me without resistance. Then I lean in, his breath dusting my lips. “Let’s get out of here.”
Pete moves closer, but I don’t pull back, teasing him with the chance of a kiss.
While distracted, I spring into action, bringing my free hand up to the table.
Pinched between two fingers, I hover over his glass, then trace to the rim with my pinky to make sure I’m positioned correctly before dumping the contents of the bag into his drink.
When Pete’s lips barely graze mine, I jerk my head back. “Let’s go.”
“You got it.” He takes a full gulp of his water.
Thank god.
I cross my arms against my chest, getting cocky. “You might need more hydration for the night we’re about to have.”
Pete shoots me a side-eye, then chugs the rest of it.
I breathe an audible sigh of relief. I fucking did it! Now to get him through the back door.
He stands. “You better give me what you promised.”
A chill moves up my spine. “Let’s head out the back door as if we were never here.”
He throws a couple of bills on the table to cover the cost of his food, then grabs my hand and pulls me through the café. His hand is clammy and feels sick to the touch. His lips barely touched mine, but they ache with disgust like they had made full contact.
Shit, I hope Sebastian and Hayden heard our conversation and are outside waiting.
As soon as Pete opens the metal door, he’s already weak. But suddenly, a shadow comes from the side, and with a loud thud, Pete is knocked to the ground.
My head whips around to see Sebastian standing next to the black SUV, with his fists balled at his sides.
“Oh my god, Sebastian!” I shout. “You scared the hell out of me!”
Hayden lowers to grab Pete, who’s already semi-conscious, limp and mumbling.
“Did you kiss him?” Sebastian accuses me sharply, a single dark hair falling over his left eye.
“What?”
“Did you kiss him, Stevie?” he repeats with disdain, as if the question is poisonous leaving his lips.
“N-no.” Caught off guard by his anger, I stumble over my words. “I mean, technically, his lips grazed mine, but we didn’t kiss.”
Sebastian’s eyes darken, and he groans out my name. “Stevie.”
“What was I supposed to do? I needed to distract him so I could put the drugs into his drink!”
“Hate to break this up, lovebirds, but we’ve got to get to the room.” Hayden slams the trunk closed, sealing Pete inside.
Sebastian stares at me for a moment longer before turning his back. “Get in the car.”