Chapter 35
Kitty and Antoinette’s Airbnb, West Hollywood, Los Angeles
‘Are you sure you’re going to be okay?’ I ask Antoinette the next morning.
She’s getting ready to head back to Flexual Healing, where she’s going to hang out until Aidan Ward turns up again.
Which won’t be long, judging by his new physique.
And when he does, she’s going to use her feminine wiles to lure him back here.
And … well … that’s when I get to have my turn with him.
The only thing is I’m starting to worry that using her as bait is stupid and dangerous.
This is a man who attacked a woman so viciously that we almost didn’t think Tor would pull through.
Am I a monster for asking my sister to put herself in a potentially dangerous position?
‘I’m fine,’ she says as she pulls her hair up into a ponytail and checks her make-up in the mirror in her room. I’m sitting on her bed watching her, anxiety doing backflips in my gut.
‘Because I could just come and wait in the car, just in case anything goes wrong.’
Antoinette meets my gaze in the mirror. ‘Kitty, I’ll be fine,’ she says. ‘He’s not going to do anything to me in broad daylight, surrounded by witnesses. CrossFit bro witnesses.’
‘I know, but he’s a monster.’
‘Besides, you need to get everything ready here, don’t you? So we can end that monster once and for all.’
She’s right, of course. There’s a lot of preparation to be done here.
I need to turn the wine cellar into the perfect torture and murder den.
I have to go and source tarpaulin, cable ties, duct tape, bin bags, lye, scented candles.
I’m not planning on letting Aidan Ward off the hook with a quick and easy death either.
I want to make sure he suffers to the absolute max.
Like how he made Tor suffer. I want the last moments of his life to be filled with fear and pain.
I want to see the look in his eyes when he knows he’s going to suffer horribly.
I also need to do some research on torture.
It’s not really been something I’ve dabbled in too much before, usually preferring a quick kill.
I’m making a special exception for Aidan Ward.
‘Just make sure you stay in touch with me at all times,’ I say. ‘I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you.’
‘I’d be in more danger if he knew I was anything to do with you,’ Antoinette says. ‘Imagine if he saw you in the parking lot or something. You’d be putting us both in danger.’
I sigh. She’s got a point. I’m just so nervous.
‘How do I look?’ She’s finished with her hair and make-up and has turned around to face me.
She looks perfect. She’s wearing a gym onesie in a pastel blue that makes her eyes pop and her skin glow.
It hugs her figure in all the right places.
There’s no way Aidan will be able to resist. There’s a steeliness in her gaze and I feel my anxiety ebb away.
Antoinette is not a lamb to the slaughter.
She’s the one holding the taser and axe.
‘You look amazing,’ I say.
‘I second that,’ says another voice. It’s Agnes, who has just poked her head around the door.
We really need to start locking that back door.
We’ve still got Ron Wilde in a suitcase in the cellar, for God’s sake.
‘I still think it’s hilarious that everyone in LA treats the gym like a catwalk,’ she’s saying. ‘Are you going to film some content?’
Antoinette gives a noncommittal shrug as Agnes walks fully into the room. She also looks absolutely stunning. She’s wearing a long white boho skirt with dark brown cowboy boots and a black baby tee. Her blonde hair is falling in loose waves almost down to her waist.
‘Aggy!’ Antoinette squeals. ‘That fit is such a slay. You look amazing.’
Agnes beams.
Of course, it’s her big brunch meeting with Richard Stone today.
‘Thank you,’ she says with a blush.
‘How are you feeling?’ I ask her.
‘So nervous, but you know, nerves are a good thing. They’re good for focus.’
I internalise this, ready to repeat it back to my anxiety if it makes another appearance today.
‘You’ll absolutely smash it,’ Antoinette is saying. ‘How could you not? I bet he offers you a part in his new superhero movie on the spot.’
Agnes laughs. ‘Well, that would be nice. But honestly, just having the chance to meet him and grill him for tips and advice is such a great opportunity.’ She glances at her Apple Watch.
‘Anyway, I’d better get going. Lauren’s going to give me a lift into the Hills.
I’ll see you guys later. Have fun at the gym! ’
‘Oh I will,’ Antoinette says. ‘And good luck. Come over when you’re back.’
I glare at her.
I’m hoping to have Aidan Ward here later today. We can’t have Agnes dropping in unannounced. She just rolls her eyes at me.
‘Antoinette,’ I say when Agnes has left. ‘Do you want us to get caught?’
She frowns at me. ‘Don’t be silly,’ she says. ‘Agnes is cool.’
‘Not sure how cool she’d be knowing we’re murdering a man in her parents’ rental,’ I grumble.
Antoinette laughs. ‘You’re so serious, Kits,’ she says. ‘It’s such a shame things didn’t work out with Travis. You’re really becoming quite uptight. I think you could do with some sex.’ I’m about to snap back at her but her phone buzzes. ‘That’s my Lyft,’ she says. ‘Wish me luck.’
‘Good luck,’ I say. ‘And please, please, please make sure you keep in contact. And let me know right away if anything creepy happens. I need to know you’re safe.’
‘I’ll be fine,’ she says. ‘Don’t worry. Soon we’ll have dealt with Aidan Ward and we can focus on the WeHo Ripper.’
‘But—’
I don’t get to finish my sentence though because Antoinette breezes past me and down the stairs.
Please let her be okay.