Chapter 15 #2
Finally, she shook her head. The man was tired, just as she’d said. She remembered how exhausted she’d been when she’d first arrived. She needed to cut him some slack. He’d be more rested tomorrow and they could have a talk.
Nodding to herself, Lexie turned—and almost ran into Theo, who was standing right behind her. She hadn’t heard him approach. “Oh, I’m sorry, Theo. I should’ve been watching where I was going. Are you okay? Can I get you anything?”
“You should be careful. Very careful,” Theo mumbled. “You’re nice. Nice people can be hurt.”
Lexie studied him. “You’re nice too,” she said gently.
Theo shook his head. “No. I’m strange. My head is messed up,” he said, pointing to his temple. “But I see people. Bad people. You should be careful.”
“Okay,” Lexie said, trying to soothe him. “Have you eaten today? If you go sit, I’ll bring you a sandwich.”
“No cheese,” Theo said, rocking a bit where he stood. “And no crusts.”
“I remember,” Lexie said with a smile. “I’ll make sure to only put on ham and take your crusts off.”
“Good…that’s good,” Theo said as he started to head back to where he’d left his stuff at one of the tables. Then he turned and pinned her in place with a look so lucid, so intense, Lexie froze in place. “He’s not a good man.”
“What? Who?” she asked, but Theo had already turned again and was moving toward his table.
Feeling frustrated with how her afternoon was going, Lexie sighed and went to the kitchen to make Theo’s sandwich.
A few hours later, Lexie’s day hadn’t improved.
It seemed as if everyone was on edge. It could’ve been the weather, it had been unusually rainy and cloudy all day.
It might’ve been the fact that Magnus was here, and had come out of the office and was sitting on one side of the room, watching and observing their everyday operations.
It could’ve been because Theo was not having a good day, and he’d started two fights with other people who’d come in for meals and information on long-term assistance.
But Lexie knew she was out of sorts because of Magnus. He’d watched her all day, though he hadn’t approached. She could admit that she was disappointed. She’d had pretty high hopes for meeting him and so far, her expectations had proven to be way too high.
When her phone vibrated with a text, she eagerly took it out of her pocket. Seeing Midas had sent her a message, she smiled.
Midas: I’m so sorry, I’m not going to be able to pick you up this afternoon. Our commander promised that we’d get to go home early, but there was a huge explosion at a military base overseas and we need to discuss the situation.
Midas: I promise I’ll make it up to you.
Lexie sighed. With how her day was going, she’d been looking forward to having a long evening with Midas. She brought the phone up to her lips and dictated a response.
Lexie: It’s okay.
Three dots immediately showed up, indicating he was responding. Lexie waited to see what else he had to say.
Midas: People have been extra grumpy today. It must be a full moon. Be careful walking home and text me when you get there. I’ll let you know when I’m on my way.
Lexie: You’ve noticed too? I hope the sun comes out soon because I can’t handle people’s weirdness. I’ll be fine. Love you.
Midas: I love you too, Lex. Thank you for being so understanding.
Lexie: Would me pitching a fit make you get off earlier?
Midas: lol. No, but I wish.
Lexie: Right. So I’ll see you when you get off work. Drive safely.
Midas: Always.
Lexie put her phone back in her pocket and contemplated what to do.
There was really no reason to leave at her usual time because all she’d do was sit around her apartment being grumpy.
Maybe she could go shopping on her way home and pick up some groceries to make Midas a nice dinner.
But then again, she had no idea what time he’d get off work, and he might eat before he left the base.
Her musings were cut short by a shout from the kitchen.
She rushed toward the back room and grimaced when she saw Jack lying on his back under the sink.
It had obviously sprung another leak because water was spraying everywhere.
This wasn’t exactly the best impression for Magnus, but at least Lexie knew what she’d be doing the rest of the afternoon.
She ran toward the water shut-off valve. When she’d cut it off, she looked around and wrinkled her nose. There was water everywhere. It would definitely take all afternoon to clean up the mess. Rolling up her sleeves, Lexie got to work.
Magnus knew he should be tired, but he was running on pure adrenaline. The second he saw Lexie Greene, a red mist descended across his vision. He pictured himself reaching out right then and there and wrapping his hands around her throat, choking the life out of her.
She looked so damn healthy. And happy. And it wasn’t fair! She should be feeling guilty. Shouldn’t be able to eat, to sleep. But instead, she glowed with vitality.
Bitch.
He’d sat in the director’s office for an hour or two pretending to look at files on her computer, but he didn’t give a shit about any of it. The organization could run itself into the ground. In fact, he’d do everything in his power to make sure it did.
When he couldn’t stand not knowing what she was doing any longer, he left the office and lurked in the main room, watching Lexie as she flitted from one person to the next. Always smiling, always positive. He wanted to smack that damn smile off her face, and he would. Soon.
Magnus had already noted that the Food For All building seemed to be in a somewhat rough neighborhood.
And he also knew that Lexie had been given an apartment in a building nearby.
She’d told him she walked home sometimes, when her boyfriend wasn’t able to pick her up.
He didn’t know the asshole’s schedule, but he was counting on the fact that at least once in the next three days, he wouldn’t be able to come get her.
When a water pipe broke in the kitchen, it gave Magnus a convenient distraction. He slipped out the front door. His eyes scanned the area as he walked, until he saw what he needed.
As he looked down a dark, narrow alleyway between two buildings, he saw a large man sitting against the wall with a shopping cart parked next to him. He stared at the opposite wall as he drank from a bottle wrapped in a paper bag.
Glancing around and seeing no one, Magnus slipped into the alley.
He could smell the homeless man’s body odor as he approached.
It was offensive, but that didn’t matter.
His face was covered in a scruffy beard, with what looked like pieces of food stuck in the coarse strands.
He had on a pair of torn and dirty tan pants and a T-shirt with holes of varying sizes.
He had no shoes on his feet, but a pair of worn-out flip-flops were on the ground next to him.
“What d’ya want?” the man growled as Magnus approached.
“A moment of your time,” Magnus said.
“Damn foreigners,” the man said. “How about some money? You look like you got plenty.”
“I do,” Magnus said, ignoring the deepening of the man’s frown. Clearly, his answer wasn’t what the man expected to hear. “And I’d be happy to give you some. But I need a favor first.”
The homeless man looked disgusted. “I ain’t no homo,” he said belligerently.
Magnus sneered. “I do not want sex.” Then he went on to explain what he wanted from the man.
The skeptical look hadn’t faded from the guy’s face. “That’s it?”
“That’s it,” Magnus told him. “And to show you how serious I am, I’ll give you twenty bucks right now, and the other four hundred and eighty after you do what I want.” He pulled a wad of cash out of his pocket and peeled a twenty dollar bill off the top, holding it toward the man.
“Half. I want half now,” the man bargained.
Magnus shrugged and put the money back in his pocket and turned to walk away.
“Wait!”
Magnus smirked and waited.
“Fine. Gimmie the money.”
Magnus took the bill back out of his pocket and turned to face him. The homeless man snatched it out of his hand and crumpled it up in his fist.
Leaning down, Magnus did his best not to inhale as he spoke. “If you fuck me over, you’re a dead man. I know twenty ways to kill you and make it look like suicide.”
“Whatever,” the man said, not impressed. “How’ll I get the rest of my money?” he asked.
Magnus stood and straightened his tie. The slacks and long-sleeve shirt were too hot for this climate, but he had a reputation to maintain. “If you do a good job, I’ll find you afterward.”
“You better,” the man mumbled.
Magnus’s leg shot out. He kicked the guy in the side with all his strength.
The homeless man flew sideways with a cry. Magnus quickly crouched and wrapped a hand around his throat…and squeezed.
The man immediately tried to pry the hand off his neck so he could breathe, but Magnus was too strong. “Don’t fuck with me,” Magnus warned. “Understand?”
The man nodded frantically, his eyes widening with panic as more and more seconds raced by without him being able to get air into his lungs.
Magnus had no idea he’d get such a rush out of this! Seeing the desperate fear in the man’s eyes was a game changer. Made Magnus feel powerful for the first time since Dagmar had died. He’d been powerless for so long, and now he held this man’s life in his hands.
He fucking loved it.
But he also knew he couldn’t kill him. Not now, in the middle of the day. And he still needed him. A healthy dose of fear would make sure he did exactly as he was told.
Magnus let him go with a shove, then stood. He watched with a smirk as the lowlife gasped for air. He turned and headed back down the alley toward the street. Peering out, he once again saw no one looking in his direction.
The way Americans pretended not to see those on the fringes of society would definitely work in his favor.
Smiling, and feeling much better than he had even twenty minutes ago, Magnus headed back toward Food For All.
He looked down at his hands and flexed them.
He could still feel the man’s throat in his palm. It had felt amazing.
But having Lexie fucking Greene under his hands would feel even better.
He had to be patient. Had to set things up so when he left Hawaii, no one would find him the least bit suspicious.