Chapter 13
Chapter thirteen
Can someone say "Twilight Zone"?
Harrison
I blink. Blink again. Then again, I'm trying to make sure I’m hearing and seeing things right.
What happened to the woman who was screaming and crying because someone just murdered a man in front of her?
And why the hell is Theo laughing? The woman just sits there staring at me like I’m some idiot.
If I’m being honest, I sort of feel like it because I’m at a loss right now.
Ever so slowly a smirk tips up the edges of the blonde’s pink lips. “Well…”
“What?” I ask stupidly before turning to Theo for some context.
The asshole just shakes his head. “You can shower in there. I’ll bring you some clothes to change into.
While you’re getting cleaned up, we’ll grab you some food.
” Then, as if I’m not already in disbelief in this situation, the bastard smiles at her.
Turning to me, he nods at the door. “Come on, brother. I’ll explain downstairs. ”
Turning, we both head for the door, but none of this feels right. Glancing back at the woman, she was watching us with a curious expression. The moment our eyes meet, she smiles, lifts her hand, and finger-waves at me like this is some sort of game for her.
The moment the door shuts behind us, I turn on Theo with a glare. “What the hell is going on?” He peers up at the door as if he could see through it to our new guest.
Without an answer, he spins on his heel and moves down the hall towards his room, calling over his shoulder as he does.
“Grab a pair of your sweats. Mine won’t fit her.
” Knowing I need answers and will only get them if I do as he says, I head to my own room, quickly grabbing a pair of sweats and meeting O back at the guest room.
Handing them over, he quietly slips back into the room with a handful of his soap and towels.
Something about this entire interaction is niggling at something in my brain.
If I didn’t know better, I would say Theo was body-snatched because this isn’t him.
It’s like his Alpha instincts have kicked into overdrive for this Beta.
Which has never happened before. Alphas only go batshit crazy for Omegas and typically only when they are getting ready for their heat.
It’s naturally ingrained into us to want to protect and pamper an Omega.
I mean, I’m not saying we would treat any other woman like shit because she wasn't an Omega, but this, this behavior, is not normal for an Alpha.
I know damn right he brought her his soap and shampoo so that she would smell like him.
The bastard practically puffed out his chest in pride when he saw I only grabbed a pair of sweats like he asked.
I’ve started to pace the floor going over every possibility.
She could be a witch of some sort and hexed Theo.
Not that witches are real. Maybe she hypnotized him somehow?
Doubtful, but I won’t take that off the table yet.
Could Theo know her from somewhere? No, he would have told me when we first came across her.
Plus, Theo knowing women isn’t something that happens often.
I’m still chasing possibilities, my fingers twitching to do research in my office when Theo finally emerges.
Ignoring me, he heads for the stairs, with me hot on his heels.
I make it to the bottom of the stairs before I lose my patience.
This isn’t like him. “Theo!” I snap. Theo lets out a deep sigh before turning the corner to the kitchen.
He stands on one side of the kitchen island, his expression a neutral mask of indifference.
“Well, what the fuck is going on? Who is she? And what does she know?”
“That woman is the one I’ve been looking for all week.” I blink over at him, confused.
“I thought you were looking for that stripper chick." My words only make Theo snort.
One and the same. I knew she was perfect for me then and now.
I think I might even marry her for real.
” I give him a 'What the fuck are you talking about?
' look. The woman he has been looking for looks nothing like the chick upstairs.
His ‘Grim’ has bright red hair and ‘come-fuck-me' eyes.
This one is blonde and has 'What the hell is going on?
' eyes. Maybe if you squint hard enough, they could look similar.
Sort of, maybe, if you were three drinks in.
Plus, I haven’t found a single thing on this Grim woman.
X’s security is tight-knit, and everywhere else I’ve tried to search for her, it comes up empty.
Theo had hounded me for days to investigate her, to find anything he could use to find her, but I kept telling him I was too busy.
In reality I just couldn’t find anything on her.
Like she was a ghost. Poof into thin air.
“No, H. That woman upstairs apparently wears many hats or maybe wigs. But she is Grim. She’s the one I’ve been looking for.
” He begins to pull out different food options and place them on the counter.
Then, as if this were just a casual conversation on any other day, he drops the next bomb into my lap.
"Oh, and she was the one who killed Miguel.”
I think Theo broke my brain because what he was saying sounds crazy.
Even more so if what he is saying is actually true, that would mean the tiny slip of a thing upstairs is the Karma Killer.
I’ve sort of been sitting here for the last ten minutes watching Theo go about the kitchen, making sandwiches, cutting fruit for fresh fruit bowls, and even unwrapping some brownies and cookies to add to his platter.
He’s acting like some domesticated Alpha and not the lethal killer I know.
Can someone say "Twilight Zone"?
By the time he is done, I still haven’t spoken.
It’s not like I would know what to say if I could.
Still in disbelief from what Theo claims. I must’ve been staring off into space, deep in thought, because I almost startle when Theo speaks next.
“I’m headed back up. I heard the shower shut off. You coming?” Best believe I am.
The ascent up the stairs is slow going, with Theo carrying an overfilled tray of food.
The moment we reach the top of the stairs, we can hear a soft humming sound coming from, supposedly, Grim’s room.
What’s worse is the scent that’s emitting from the room.
Even from behind a closed door, Grim’s scent is overwhelming.
I’m not sure how I missed it earlier. I’ve smelled her at the club before, and then again when we found her in the alley, but this is different.
It’s cleaner and less overpowered by the scent of clubs and the dirty, trashed-filled alleyway.
Theo shoulders the door open, and I follow behind.
The soft humming disappears quickly as I sidestep O to get my first real look at our guest. She’s standing in the center like she owns the damn place.
Fiery red hair spills over her shoulders, bright against the muted space, like a flame daring me to get too close.
Her arms are loose at her sides, her posture relaxed, but her lips curve into a slow, deliberate smirk the moment her eyes meet ours. Holy shit!
“For me?” she asks, voice low and husky.
Neither of us answers, but Theo carries his platter to the bed, setting it down and sliding it closer to her.
She just tilts her head slightly, that smirk deepening as she watches us.
It’s a calculated look, like she is sizing us up.
It’s also a look that makes me believe Theo when he says she is the one who killed Miguel.
There is something almost feral in her eyes.
Then it hits me.
Her scent.
Sweet—God, it’s sweet—but there’s something warm beneath it.
Something rich. Jasmine, honeysuckle, and roses are all wrapped in a pretty bow.
It’s something that feels uniquely her. But it’s now mixed with my spicy cinnamon and Theo’s strong sandalwood scent.
Making the asshole, no doubt, preen with pride.
I know I am a bit, not that I would let it show.
Taking a deep inhale without meaning to, my body reacts before my brain has time to catch up.
My jaw tightens. My cock springs forward with the sudden need to rut into this perfect-looking specimen. Even in an oversized shirt and my sweatpants, she is stunning.
What the fuck is this voodoo?
I can feel the shift in my stance, the tension pulling through my shoulders and down my spine. Every nerve in my body sharpens, hyperaware of her. The way her fingers brush over her hips as she adjusts my sweats. The slow drag of her gaze over me is like she’s undressing me piece by piece.
She notices.
Of course she notices.
A flash of satisfaction flickers in her eyes.
“Thank you, Theo," she says softly.
Deciding I need answers now, not later, I step closer. “Okay, you got your shower and food; now how about you tell us what really happened to Miguel Cruz in that alley?" Her brows lift, feigning innocence, but that smile gives her away as anything but innocent.
Grim lets out a little girly giggle before stepping toward us.
“Straight to the point. I like that.” She nods to herself.
“Well, since you’ve figured out most of it, let me introduce myself formally.
I will note that those who know me by this name don’t tend to live long.
” Her smirk turns into something out of horror stories.
It starts slow, almost subtly. The corner of her mouth lifts first, like she’s tasting something dangerous and likes the flavor.
Then the rest follows, stretching wider, revealing just enough teeth to make it clear this isn’t sweetness; it’s a warning.
Her eyes change with it. They sharpen. Darken in color. Focusing the way a predator does when it’s locked onto something it wants to eat. There’s hunger there, yes, but also confidence. Control. A promise that she’s not the one who will lose.
It’s absolutely what I would call feral. Then she sticks out her hand. “Nice to meet you officially, Theo and Harrison. You can call me Karma.” Theo barks out a laugh as I automatically grip her outstretched hand for a shake.
Is this woman for real?
‘Karma’ is claiming to be the Karma Killer.
The serial killer who is going around killing grown men, Alphas at that, who are twice her size.
Before Theo or I can question her any more, a door slamming from downstairs echoes through the house.
Shit. Roman is home. I was hoping to have more answers before he arrived.
And from the sound of the stomping and slamming of doors, Roman is on a warpath.
Glancing over at Theo, he knows it too. We need to let him know what is going on before he storms in here demanding answers himself.
"Alright, Little Reaper, it seems our brother is now home.” Karma’s eyes narrow at that.
“We are going to head downstairs and meet with him. "Why don’t you eat a bit, and we will be back soon, yeah?” Theo suggests before stepping forward grabbing Karma’s chin and slamming his lips down.
There is a tense pause moment, but in less than a few seconds he is pulling away, a huge grin painting his scarred face.
Karma’s cheeks tint a pale pink as she glares at my Alpha brother but doesn’t say anything.
Not bothering to add to whatever that was, I turn on my heel and head out.
Theo’s footsteps following me out. Not wanting Karma to wander around on her own, I decide to lock the door from the outside, Theo giving me a disapproving look.
“Do you want her to escape and run away from us? Then you will be back at square one looking for her.” This has him humming in approval instead.
“Now let's go try to explain this to Daddy Rome, yeah?”
Somehow I don’t think he is going to take this as well as I’m hoping.