Chapter 10
CHAPTER
TEN
TWO MONTHS LATE
NOLA
That had to have been the longest summer of my life. Every day felt like it dragged on, time slowly ticking by.
I had to keep telling myself that this was the last time I’d have to be away from them for this long. That as soon as they got back, I’d be able to put my plan into action and get started on Operation Get-My-Men. Okay, so the name needs some work, but the premise is the same.
To keep myself busy, I hung out with Dad a lot. It was some much-needed quality father-daughter time.
He really did me a solid when it came to dealing with Scarlett. After he took care of her body, we moved on, acting as if nothing had ever happened.
But she was dead, and people would start asking questions, most likely her father.
I asked Dad what we were going to do about it, and he said he’d handle it.
So far, nothing has popped up on the news, no chatter or even a whisper.
When I asked what he did, he said he couldn’t tell me, that it was Brotherhood business, and that's all I needed to know.
I wasn’t going to argue with him about it. He literally covered up a murder for me.
And will be doing it again sometime soon.
Hey, he said he’d be willing to. And it was his idea. So, it’s not like I’m taking advantage of him.
It’s not like I’m going to make him do it all on his own, I’m not an asshole. I can handle things myself; he’s only helping if I need it. Also, it’s a good bonding activity. Nothing brings you closer than murder.
He showed me everything I needed to know about cleaning up and disposing of the bodies. Told me when and where not to kill and told me that if I needed to, then I should name-drop as my life depended on it.
I know I’ve judged the people I’ve gone to school with for relying on their family’s connections to be able to do whatever they want, but if I have to mention who my dad is to get myself out of a pickle, I’m gonna save my own ass, thank you very much.
It’s not like I’m using my family ties to get good grades or get ahead in life without having to do anything. It’s just to keep my ass out of jail after I’ve worked my ass off to stay out of there.
Plus, I come from a line of serial killers and crime lords, it’s not like I can tarnish my family's legacy, can I?
I have the best mentor ever, so I’m sure I'll be fine. If I can only keep my intrusive thoughts under control.
Don’t tell my dad, but I’m not exactly confident I’m going to be able to do that. It’s like after the little incident with Scarlett, something inside me has been unleashed.
Like a blood lust.
No, I don't wanna go around killing every person I see. I’m not that crazy.
It’s just, when I thought about the guys and what they could be doing overseas, who they could be with, it made me want to buy a ticket and follow after them.
But I wasn’t about to fly to another country where I knew no one. Like I needed to risk getting my ass kidnapped and thrown into a sex trafficking ring or something.
I don’t think name-dropping would have as much of an effect over there as it would here.
So, to be safe, I forced myself to stay put and deal with the two months I’d have to be away from them.
And now, after all that time, they’re coming back tomorrow!
I’m so excited. I think Skittles is, too. He’s probably tired of hearing me talk about them all day, every day.
“What do you think?” I ask Skittles, turning to face him.
He cocks his head to the side and blinks.
“I know, I know. It’s not my normal style, but that's the point. It’s not like I have some kind of invisibility power.
I can’t always just blend in with the night.
There’s going to be times I’ll have to risk being seen, and if I have a disguise, then it will make it harder for anyone to identify me. ”
He says nothing, turning his head to the other side.
“You hate it, don’t you?” I groan, spinning around to face the mirror again.
“What don’t you like about it? I think it’s perfect.
” I adjust the pumpkin Halloween mask I spray-painted teal.
“This covers my face, but I can still see and breathe.” I hold my arms out, turning my body side to side.
“This covers any distinct markings I have, but also allows airflow because dragging around bodies is fucking sweaty work. The last thing I need is to overheat.” I don’t have any distinct markings yet.
But I do plan on getting a tattoo, my very first one! But that plan is a work in progress.
I’m wearing a teal tank top and a mesh crop top hoodie.
“And I can’t do any kind of workout in jeans. Plus, it’s too warm for leggings. So, these shorts are perfect.”
Skittles lets out a squawk and I sigh, turning to face him.
“The fishnet stockings just add to the overall outfit, duh.” I roll my eyes.
“And the boots are cool. Anything else is just asking for trouble. Although I do think knee-highs would look cute.” I tilt my head to the side.
“But the last thing I’d need is to twist an ankle.
Can’t move bodies if I can’t move at all. ”
There's a knock at my door. “Yes?” I call out.
“Nola?” Dad’s voice replies from the other side.
My eyes light up, excitement filling me. “Come in!”
The door opens, and I spin to face my dad. “Tada!” I hold my arms out, letting him see my outfit as I do a little spin. “What do you think?”
His eyes widen, and he clears his throat. “Oh, that's a great Halloween costume,” he says.
I frown, about to tell him it’s not for Halloween, when Mom steps around him. “I wanna see!” She looks me over and gives me a beaming smile. “Oh, sweetie, it looks great. Who are you going as?”
“Uhhh…” I have no idea how to respond. “I just made it up myself.” I laugh awkwardly.
Dad stands behind Mom, his hand over his mouth like he’s trying to hide his laugh. Asshole.
“You are so talented,” she says.
“Thanks.”
“We just wanted to come let you know we’re going away for a few weeks.” Mom’s eyes light up. “Your father is taking me on a cruise for our anniversary. Isn’t that wonderful!”
“Oh,” I say, turning my attention to Dad. “That sounds like fun.”
“Are you okay staying at home alone?” she asks with concern.
“Of course.” I laugh. “Mom, I’m going to college and going on nineteen, I think I can handle being alone for a few weeks.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” I nod. “Go, have fun.”
“Okay.” She grins widely. “Ahhhh, I’m so excited. I’m going to pack!”
She takes off out of my room, leaving Dad standing there looking guilty.
“What the hell, man?” I hiss. “You’re leaving for two weeks? But the guys are just getting back. What about Operation Get-My-Men!”
Dad raises a brow. “Really? That’s what you're calling it?”
“I’m playing around with names,” I mutter. “But that’s not the point. What if I need you?”
“I told you everything you needed to know. We've been over this.”
“I know, I know.” I sigh. “Fine. Okay. Yeah. I can do this.” I nod, hyping myself up.
“So, what's with the getup?”
“What do you mean?” I ask. “It’s my outfit.”
“Your… outfit?”
“Yeah.” I lower my voice to a whisper. “My killing outfit, murder getup, my unaliving and thriving swag.” I spin around and around. “You know what I wear when I take a life.”
He just slowly blinks at me. “You're going all out for this, aren't you?”
“I mean, yeah, why not?” I lift the mask up enough to see him.
“I know you told me to keep this on the down low, not to bring any attention to myself. Soooooo, what if, now hear me out, I don’t do it all as me, Nola, but as–” I pause, sliding the mask back over my face.
“Me, the Butterfly Killer.” I throw my arms into the air, like I’m showing off some grand surprise.
“I could leave a calling card and everything. I was thinking of using my little preserved friends.” I rush over to my desk and grab the clear box of the newly dead butterflies I have yet to work on.
“There are only so many I can keep, and I’d feel bad throwing them away.
I could bury them, but wouldn’t it be more fun to put them to good use? ”
“Nola,” he sighs. “I don’t know. That's a big risk.”
“I know, but I don’t wanna half-ass this,” I groan, ripping the mask off and throwing it on the bed.
“I’m trying to make a statement, Dad. What better way to prove to the guys I’m perfect for them than to become a serial killer no one can catch?
And plus, it’s not like it’s going to be forever.
It’s just until I have an acceptable amount of kills under my belt to present them with.
Now, I can’t say I won’t ever kill again, but I can let the Butterfly Killer retire.
Come on, how many dads can say their daughters take after them?
” I grin, punching his arm playfully. “The Midnight Shadow, the Butterfly Killer. Who knows, maybe when I have kids, they could grow up to be just like us!” As the thought comes to me, I grow more excited.
“Oh my god, we could all do a kill together! Talk about family traditions. I could see it now, a long line of serial killers.”
“What if your kids don’t want to do that?” Dad asks.
“I mean, I'll love them no matter what, of course.” I wave him off. “But the chances of having a normal child are low if I’m the mother, and one of the guys is their father. Trust me, those three are fucked in the head,” I snicker. “Like really messed up.”
“That’s what every father wants to hear about the guys his daughter wants to spend the rest of her life with.” He gives me a blank look.
“It’s not like they’re going to hurt me.” I roll my eyes. Okay, it’s not like they’re going to kill me. I want them to hurt me, but there's no way I’m telling my dad about my sexual kinks, okay.
“Don’t even try to convince me not to do this. This was your idea in the first place.” I point a finger at him.
“I was joking!” He throws his arms in the air.
“Joking or not, it was the exact solution to my problem. Now, I’m putting that plan into action. So you can stand by me, or against me.” I cross my arms.