Page 32 of Fractured

“I don’t think so. You don’t need to be anywhere near the crime scene. Get inside and clean yourself off. Put all of your clothes in a bag, and I’ll get rid of them,” he commands me with a shove to the door. A second after his hand leaves my arm, a sound slap lands on my ass. Surprised, I let out a scream and whip around.

“I’ll be back for your punishment as soon as I’ve finished saving your ass again,” he tells me with narrowed eyes.

“Promise?” I purr. My ass can still feel my last punishment, but my pussy still flutters with the thought of Vander doling it out.

“Maybe I’ll just hunt down your new friend and tell him what happened, let him have the first option to punish you again.” His curt reply tells me just how much he disapproves of my excitement over him punishing me. I pout my bottom lip out, but I can’t be sure whether he saw it or not. He’s already sliding back into the car and driving off down the lane to our front gate.

I stomp my feet as I walk up the steps to the front door. Vander sure has a way of ruining my high after killing someone. You could say he’s a killjoy. Maybe I should change his contact name in my phone.

Once I open the door, I make quick work of reaching my room. I don’t need anyone else seeing me with any blood on me. Fielding those questions would be a nightmare. Heading straight for the bathroom, I throw my tote onto the counter and strip my clothes. I’m beyond happy to find my white shoes escaped the carnage and I can keep them. Everything else gets tossed into the trash for Vander to take once he comes home.

Steam billows from the shower and I relax in the heat instantly. Overall, the evening turned out to be a blast. Sure, the party aspect was a real drag. But the rest wasn’t so bad…

Blood rinses off of me and swirls around the drain, sinking into the darkness below—just like the pimp’s life. I have no remorse for what I’ve done. That bastard deserved what he got. Society should thank me for removing such scum from this world. I’ll take all thank-yous in the form of handbags, next season’s clothing designs, and weapons.

Turning off the water, I leave the shower and wrap a towel around my body. Something feels off. A disturbance in the air… a lifting of the small hairs on the back of my neck. Glancing around the room, I find my clothes are missing from the trash can. Has Vander come back already? There hasn’t nearly been enough time for him to drive all the way back to the hotel and here again. Much less destroy all the evidence and remove a body.

Ravenmaster. It has to be him. Shit. I just know he’s going to ream me out for being such an idiot. Studying the room, I find it’s not just my clothes that are missing. The contents of my tote are spread out on the counter and the bag itself is gone, along with my favorite white shoes. That fucking asshole strikes again, taking my favorite things away. Good thing I haven’t chosen a favorite man. I bet my stalker would take him away too.

Raven: You’re my favorite.

There. Maybe he’ll take himself out of my life and leave all my things alone finally. And I was able to get the first word in before he did.

Ravenmaster: I’m sure you have some thought out reason for saying that. But whatever it is, I’m not playing along.

Ravenmaster: You’ve gone up the creek with no paddle. And here I am keeping you from being discovered. AGAIN.

Ravenmaster: I didn’t take you for being so dumb. I go out of my way to teach you how to make sure you aren’t caught and what did you do?

Shit… I can’t decide if he’s asking a rhetorical question or not.

Ravenmaster: You ignored every single word. Do you think I enjoy wasting my time?

Ravenmaster: What’s rule number one?

Okay. He’s pissed. I can’t say I’m surprised. And this time I know he wants me to reply.

Raven: Don’t allow any witnesses to see you.

Ravenmaster: Oh, so you do know it! Then why did you ignore it?

I rub my chest as a sudden tightness forms. It’s a completely unknown sensation. Could it be possible that I’m having a reaction to the disappointment my stalker is showing me?

Raven: I didn’t! The prostitute was knocked out before anything really happened.

Ravenmaster: Oh, Raven. Don’t tell me you’re that naïve.

A video pops up after his message. I don’t even have to hit play to know what it shows, the preview image tells me everything I need to know. There was a security camera recording what happens in the alley. Fuck. Good thing my stalker is some kind of tech genius.

Raven: Oops?

Ravenmaster: Don’t try to be cute with me.

Raven: But I am cute.

Ravenmaster: Maybe…

Raven: It’s all your fault, you know. You took my watch. I acted on instinct and wasn’t responsible for any of my actions. Next time I’ll remember to look for cameras and make sure I don’t leave any evidence behind.

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