19. Scarlett
NINETEEN
SCARLETT
"I'm an open book, Scarlett. Can we say the same about you?" His question rattles something inside of me. Something that knows that not only are my secrets dark, but they're cavernous.
Xavier Poine is an intriguing character. I'd done a little research on him before arriving tonight. It was one of the reasons I was late. The other was that I just wanted to fuck with him, and make him sweat, thinking I wasn't coming, and his plan had failed from the get-go.
He has no criminal record, a parking ticket or two, and went to an Ivy League college on a full scholarship.
Yet there was no record of his high school attendance, and it makes me wonder if he was homeschooled.
He's almost nine years younger than I am, and as far as I could find, there wasn't much on his social media that didn't involve his job as a reporter.
He currently works for an online news outlet and, before that, a few local community papers, where he always worked as the crime reporter.
He's squeaky clean, too clean, and that raises alarm bells in my head.
He's a reporter. I expected at least an obstruction charge or a misdemeanor.
I stare at his smooth, alabaster complexion that tells me he avoids the sun, and has a better skincare regimen than I do.
His large, expressive, light gray eyes, tinged with hints of sky blue, and long lashes I would kill for, are dramatic, and by far his most stunning feature.
Not that the rest of him isn't equally impressive, with his pale blond hair that almost looks white in certain lights, and his broad shoulders and defined chest beneath his fitted gunmetal gray button-down shirt.
He obviously takes care of himself. The full sleeves of tattoos on his arms, which I can see from where he's rolled up his shirt sleeves, are filled with black, shaded images of vines, demons, and representations of death, and stand out starkly against his almost translucent skin.
His clothes are well-made, understated but not flashy, as if he doesn't try to impress anyone, despite his attempts tonight.
He's a puzzle I'm not seeing all the pieces of yet, and that intrigues me.
"I don't think anyone should be an open book, Mr. Poine.
" The way he's so intently staring at me is both unnerving and exhilarating.
I've never had a man so focused on me. It's almost as if he wants to crawl inside of me, or devour me whole.
The thought of him leaning forward and taking a bite of me has heat rising up my body.
I need to get my head out of the gutter and focus.
It doesn't matter that this guy is sinful, he's also a snake.
"Xavier, please. So you have secrets. That's intriguing to someone like me." He smiles broadly, and it transforms his face from handsome to something magical, as if you were witnessing a statue carved by one of the greats, like Michelangelo, come to life. He's a masterpiece in his own league.
I brush my fingernail absentmindedly against the fine crystal wine glass, the deep red liquid resembling rich blood.
His words give me pause. Secrets are like a cancer; at first they start small and inconspicuous, but quickly grow until they consume you.
Mine are no different. Yet it's paramount I hold on to them and never let anyone find out what I've done.
"Everyone has secrets. We wouldn't be human if we didn't. You didn't answer any of my other questions," I smirk, ensuring I'm once again in the driver's seat of this conversation, and I direct him away from our current topic.
So far, he's told me very little I don't already know, and other than his apology, there has been no attempt to disclose what he has on Ashmaker.
Pleasantries are usually tedious for me, since they require me to be on guard and wear my mask longer, yet I find myself enjoying his company.
He's a breath of fresh air from all the stress, even if he's doing his best to manipulate me.
Of course, it helps that he's good-looking and charming, yet I can't allow myself to be carried away by that.
Something tells me Xavier would be the clingy type.
He's far too young to be a casual conquest, and I don't usually do random hook-ups or one-night stands.
Jasper fucking me roughly from behind notwithstanding, that was a one-time exception, and can never happen again.
Sure it was, and does Jasper know that, my mind supplies.
My phone vibrates in my purse, momentarily distracting me.
I know I should check it, because it could be about Ashmaker and our case, but I don't want to divert Xavier's attention from this game of chess we're playing.
The one where he thinks he's going to seduce me into giving him something, and I'm actively doing the same to him.
Come on, Xavier, play right into my hands, and let me lead you right into a trap.
"Single." He winks. "Parents are both deceased, and I'm an only child. I believe you are one too. Shall we continue playing this game, or do you want to move along to something more exciting?"
I keep my expression neutral, so he doesn't read my thoughts at his taunting tone. "By all means, what did you have in mind, or you could finally tell me the real reason I'm here?"
"What, you don't think I invited you to dinner just because you're a beautiful woman, Scarlett? I assure you that's my primary reason, but it helps that we are working the same case."
I lean forward, resting my elbows on the edge of the table and intertwining my fingers gracefully.
His watchful gaze follows every movement, even when I lick my lip and inhale a deep breath, allowing my breasts to strain against the bodice of my dress.
"If I got up right now and left the restaurant, you would be hit on by half the women, and maybe some of the men, that have been watching you as if you're on the menu. "
I allow the corner of my lip to rise as I trace his features with my glance, and notice how my gaze is affecting him, as a blush rises up the strong column of his neck.
"I don't believe for a second you lack for company.
As for me being beautiful, thank you for your compliment, but it has little bearing on why you invited me.
Let's discuss Ashmaker, shall we? You can start by telling me what you know. "
"What do I get in return if I share my information with you?" He raises his hand as I go to respond. "My civic duty is not enough of an enticement, Spitf... Scarlett. The longer Ashmaker is out there killing, and you're unable to catch him, the more newswork I have."
What was he about to call me before he caught himself?
He's right, of course; the longer this drags out, the more the media and public will grab on to it.
He, like the rest of his maggot colleagues, will keep alarming the general public, getting them worked up, and making them fear they're next on Ashmaker's list, which is far from the truth.
He's not out there killing indiscriminately.
The public actually has little to fear from him, unless, as I suspect, they are men who have abused a woman or child, but I won't be volunteering that information up to Xavier Poine any time soon.
"How badly do you want to know what I've discovered, Scarlett?
I assure you it might lead you to a breakthrough on the case, and help with Ashmaker's profile.
You'd be one step closer to catching him.
" He leans back casually in his chair as if he isn't dangling a blood-soaked carrot above my head.
He knows that if I don't catch Ashmaker soon, there's a real possibility Director Shaw and the higher-ups will have Jasper and me replaced on the case. It's only a matter of time.
A flash of fire breaks through my immediate thoughts, knocking me off kilter, the image so real that I feel beads of sweat breaking out along the back of my arms. "I could haul you in and throw you in lock-up for obstructing justice, Xavier," I grit in irritation.
"You could, but you know as well as I do that Shield Law and the First Amendment protect journalistic sources.
" He gives me his broad smile again. His white, straight teeth now fully on display, like a wolf ready to bite down on his prey.
He's enjoying this tit-for-tat, and worse, he's right.
I wouldn't be able to hold him for long. Asshole.
"What do you want in exchange for this information if it's viable?
" I question warily. Something about his expression lets me know he believes he's already won, and that chafes my pride and messes with my insecurities.
Thick silence fills the space between us, putting my nerves more on edge.
I watch his features carefully, and it's almost like he's warring with himself.
"You. One night with you, Scarlett Lyssa. In my bed, in my arms, allowing me to take my fill of you."
What the ever-loving fuck. His words are a bomb.
I'm so shocked I knock over the glass of wine carelessly, and it spills its contents across the white, linen tablecloth, leaving behind a stain like I would find at one of my crime scenes.
Even with it spreading across the table like a malevolent river, Xavier never releases me from his intense glance, and I realize that I'm holding my breath.
I push my chair back and stand, prepared to walk out of this restaurant and never look back.
How fucking dare he demand that of me? I'm not some whore to barter her body in exchange for information.
Part of me wants to cross to his side of the table and fucking slap the creep, but I'm betting he would love that, and I would end up all over social media.
"You're disgusting, and this is over. Stay away from me, Xavier. "
"He's targeting men that rape and molest children, and who beat, torture, and traffic women.
He's not on a killing spree, he's committing vigilante justice.
Justice that you and your colleagues in law enforcement failed to secure for the victims. He's doing what you can't, Scarlett, and he won't stop until he's cleansed the city. "
His words cement me to my spot as he rises to his feet, anger flashing in his light eyes.
Before I can take more than two steps away from the table, he grabs my wrist, pulling me closer, our bodies now pressed together so that I can feel the heat radiating off of him, as he leans in and whispers close to my ear.
"I'll tell you everything I know. How I came about this information, and how I've been able to track his victims before you have.
All I'm asking for is one night. I won't hurt you, not unless you ask me to.
" His scent fills my senses with something rich and opulent, with a twist of citrus, spicy pepper, ginger, and smoky leather, and it's almost too much.
"I want to bring you pleasure, Scarlett.
Let me, then you'll have another piece you're missing to catch Ashmaker. "
His long, elegant fingers tangle with mine as he walks me back to my seat, and pulls my chair out expectantly.
I feel multiple pairs of eyes on us now, and low whispers that I'm sure are directed at the scene I just made.
He squeezes my fingers warningly, before bringing the back of my hand to his lips and kissing it.
His warm breath against my skin has a shiver racing down my spine.
I try to yank my hand back, but he grips me tighter, his gaze boring into mine, and in it I see nothing but a conqueror prepared to claim his prize by any means necessary.
I need a way out of this situation, and I need it now.
My mind races with possibilities that he might know more.
Just the fact that he's worked out that information about Ashmaker does not bode well.
Does he know about the second murderer we caught on video?
I'm confronted with the truth that he was at the scene earlier, perhaps before the police.
He's dangling another piece that could help me catch these heinous killers.
Is my pride really worth someone else dying? Is it worth mine and Jasper's careers?
"Sit down, Scarlett. You'll enjoy the ridiculously expensive meal you've ordered, and then I'll take you home. If you decide to take me up on my offer to spend the night with me, you have until dessert to tell me."
I sit down far less seductively now, and allow him to push in my chair before he regains his seat.
The waiter rushes over to clear our stained linens and replace them with new ones, along with the plate of caviar I spitefully ordered.
My stomach instantly turns, and bile races up the back of my throat at just a glimpse of it.
There's not a chance I'm consuming one bite of anything tonight now.
Xavier Poine just checkmated me at my own game. Fuck.