Chapter 31
Charles
Sweat drips from my forehead onto the floor as I press up from it. The burn in my arms feels good. My body hums with excitement. I was getting closer and closer to having what I really wanted.
Her.
I finished another rep of push-ups before I sat down on the cold basement floor. Music pumped through the old stereo, the faint sound of shuffling feet above let me know I was no longer alone.
My plan had come together nicely. It was amazing what a few conversations and money could do for you. There were people who loved to think that if they were presented with an offer, they wouldn't abandon their morals and ethics for it. That was a load of shit. Everyone had a price.
This world was cruel; playing by the rules only got you so far.
At an early age, I learned life wasn’t fair.
I didn’t ask to be the product of an affair or to be in love with my best friend.
There was only so much I could take before I snapped.
The first kill quieted the noise in my head.
That was the moment I decided that I was in charge of my own life.
If the game was rigged, then I was going to rewrite the rules.
Killing Daniel was messy—the rage took me by surprise. I waited to feel the regret, maybe a bit of remorse, but it never came. In fact, I was happy. His death had yielded some great results. Celeste was distraught, and I was there to pick up the pieces.
Uncle Al didn’t deserve to die, really. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Pulling the trigger was a lot easier than I thought.
Rico was different. He was planned. The internet was a wealth of knowledge, all you had to do was look in the right places. I had fun with him, but the results hadn’t been the same. She actually thought she loved this dude. When I tried to be there for her, she just pushed me away.
Celeste was my breaking point. The other women? That was just the actions of a heartbroken man.
I was going to enjoy killing Evelyn.
Everything was set. I had a surprise for her. My only regret was that I wouldn’t be able to enjoy her reaction. But if all went as planned, we’d be together soon.
Stripping my clothes, I walk into the standing shower at the corner of the partially finished space.
I stand there under the steady stream with my palms on the tile in front of me.
The water burns hot on my skin, turning it red.
Tension radiated through my body, the itch beneath my skin growing. This had to work.
Oakland Ridge turned out to be a fine town.
It was appealing, but it had its secrets.
Secrets that were perfect for exploiting.
Evelyn had no idea whose roof she was sleeping under.
Jonathan Woods loved money. He had his hand in a little bit of everything.
He sold his soul to upgrade from a corrupt businessman to a corrupt politician.
The dirt I had on him was too good to keep to myself.
I left the shower, wrapping a towel around my waist before grabbing for my phone on the nightstand. The house sounded quiet; his text confirmed that he was gone.
Don’t fuck this up.
Putting my phone down, I dressed, pulling on the grey cargo pants and black t-shirt I set out for tonight. Next, I opened the duffel bag at my feet and began packing for the trip. There was much to do and prepare for our guests. Everything had to be perfect.
Rope, a knife, box of .9mm shorts, a change of clothing, and a pair of sunglasses.
My eyes landed on the bottle of vodka on the nightstand, and I threw that in there too. It was going to be a celebration, might as well.
The drive was going to be a long one, but it would be worth it.