Chapter 8 #3
And just like that, I get the green light from a parental figure to become a serial killer.
I wasn’t planning on killing anyone else, but it’s nice to know that if I did, I’ll be okay.
“So, wanna tell me who’s on that table down there?”
“Oh, right,” I sigh. “Almost forgot about her.”
“Yes, because one forgets about murder so easily.” Dad rolls his eyes in amusement.
“It was a long night, okay,” I argue.
“Nola, focus, who is it?” he asks again. “Because I have some calls to make and I need to know how to make sure this stays out of the wrong hands.”
“Fine.” I chew on my lower lip. “It’s Scarlett Davis.”
“Davis… as in Connor Davis?”
“Yes.” I wince.
“Nola,” Dad groans.
“I’m sorry, okay!” I throw my arms up. “I told you, she was a monster. She’s been bullying me for years now.”
“She has?” Dad's brows furrow together. “Why didn’t you come to me? I’d have made sure it stopped."
“Because I didn’t need anyone saving me,” I reply. “It wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle. Plus, they already had it covered.”
“They?” Dad asks. “Would this be the men you were talking about earlier?”
“Maybe.”
Talking murder with my dad, I can handle, but boys, on the other hand, that’s where I start to feel awkward.
“Who?” he demands, going into protective dad mode.
“Promise you won’t be mad?”
“Who, Nola?” he pushes.
“Jasper, Wesley, and Sylas,” I rush out.
He doesn't say anything for a moment before sighing heavily. “Nola,” he groans again.
“I’m sorry, okay? But I can’t help it, I love them.”
“I’m not surprised,” he responds with a huff.
“You’re not?” My brows furrow.
“No.” He shakes his head. “The way they acted when you were kids, always protective. Even after you all stopped hanging out, they were always asking me how you were.”
“They did?” My excitement grows, and I can practically feel my eyes lighting up.
“They did. But after a while, they stopped. I thought they lost interest, but I guess they took things into their own hands.” He grins. “I saw the way they looked at you at graduation."
He did?
“I should have known then,” he says. “How long?”
“How long for what?”
“How long have you been with them?”
“Oh.” My cheeks start to burn. “Well, you see… we’re not technically together. Yet!” I rushed out. “We will be. I’m working on it.”
“So you’re not together. Why? They sure do seem to care about you. Have you told them how you feel?”
“No,” I mutter. “Because I can’t speak more than three words without my face going as red as a tomato and averting eye contact.”
“Aw, that's so sweet,” he gushes.
“It’s not!” I groan. “That’s the problem. They think I’m some innocent little girl who’s too pure to be with them because of who they are and the life they live.”
I don’t say more because I sure as hell am not going to mention the fucked up gang bangs they have and how they don’t think I can handle their depravity. My dad doesn’t need to know about my sexual preferences. Thanks.
“Ahh.” He nods his head in understanding. “I could see how that would be an issue.”
“So now I need to come up with a plan to show them that I’m not like what they think, that I can be the right girl for them and can fit into their life seamlessly.
I mean, hell, I’m perfect for the position—my dad is an ex-serial killer, and my grandfather is the head of the Russian mafia.
” I jump to my feet. “But I can’t just go up to them and be like, hey, I’m not normal like you think.
I’m actually crazy. So, pick me, choose me. Love me.”
When I spin back around, I find my dad grinning at me with amusement.
“You’re loving my pain and misery, aren’t you?” I groan. “Stop.”
“I’m not,” he laughs. “I’m sorry. I mean, nothing says you love a person more than murdering for them. You could tell them about Scarlett.”
“They wouldn’t believe that,” I counter back. “Plus, one dead person isn’t going to be enough to convince them.”
“You could always kill some more,” he suggests.
That has me pausing. As that sinks in, a devious, crazy smile spreads across my face. “I could.”
“I meant it as a joke, Nola.” He looks a little panicked. “Whatever you're thinking, no.”
“No. Really,” I say as the idea runs through my mind. “That could work.”
“What could work?” he asks cautiously.
“Killing more people. Oh my god, it could be like a resume of kills.” I clap my hands together in excitement. “I could show them that I’m perfect for them by having a few kills under my belt. Prove to them I can handle their lifestyle.”
“I just told you how you have to be careful if you were going to take anymore lives. Plus, you can’t just go around killing random people.”
“Not random people, just any girl who tries to take what’s mine. Like Scarlett. Just a few. Like maybe three… or five.”
“What have I gotten myself into?” Dad groans, putting his forehead down on the desk. “You’re gonna be worse than me, I just know it.”
“Oh please, I’m not gonna kill over a hundred people. I don’t need that many. Just a few. I promise. I’ll space them out. Make sure I cover my tracks. It will be fine.”
He lifts his head and narrows his eyes. “Famous last words.”
“And now, I have you to help me.” I begin bouncing with excitement now. “Oh, this is gonna be so good! Oh! I need a name,” I ramble at him.
“A name?”
“Yeah, a killer name. I’ll think of something.” I wave it off. “Right now, I need to go home and think about this more.”
“Go home?” he parrots. “Nola, there’s a body you need to get rid of first.”
“Do you mind putting her in the oven for me?” I give him my best puppy dog eyes. It always worked when I wanted more sweets after Mom said I couldn’t. Maybe it would also work when it came to disposing of lifeless bodies.
“Fine,” he sighs. “I’m already wide awake anyways.”
“Thank you, Daddy!” I rush over and give him a big hug. “You’re the best.” I press a kiss to his cheek.
“I better be. But seriously, Nola. If you’re going to do this, you need to be smart about it. No impulsive killings like tonight. Know who you’re taking out first, make a plan, and go from there.”
“Got it.” I nod.
“Stay away from any more big names, okay? No more daughters of Brotherhood members. Davis was already on the verge of being kicked out, so you’re safe when it comes to this one, but it’s not worth risking it in the future.”
“Fine,” I grumble. “I won’t kill them, but can I at least hurt them? You know, if I keep my identity hidden.”
“Nola,” he draws out in a warning tone.
“Fine, fine,” I sigh.
“And… you can not kill any of the ritual sacrifices.” His tone is serious. “That is not up for negotiations.”
Shit, I forgot about that.
The Brotherhood isn’t just a secret society, they’re also a cult. A blood and sex cult.
They believe that their wealth came from the ancestral gods. The last week of every August, they hold a ritual.
The person they choose must volunteer their body and blood. While I’m not sure I’ve ever met someone who's been chosen—as all of it has to remain anonymous—I do know they don’t take their lives, just their blood… while they’re having sex.
Jasper, Sylas, and Wesley have been doing this since they were young. And because it’s all top secret, I’ve never been able to get Skittles close enough with the body cam to get a look.
Not that I’d put his life at risk like that anyway.
“You know what? I don’t think that will be an issue,” I tell my dad. “I won’t kill anyone important, okay?”
Dad watches me, trying to determine if I’m telling the truth. “Okay.” He nods. “Fine. You can do this, but please, if you need help, call me.”
“I will.” I give him another hug and kiss before rushing out of the office.
Tonight ended up in a much better way than I thought it would.
There’s so much to unpack about what has happened and the things I’ve learned about, but I’ve got time, the whole summer really.
And now that I have a plan on how to get my men, I have one less thing to worry about.
Well, kind of. I’ve just replaced one dilemma with another.
How to make sure I’m the one chosen for this year's ritual?