Page 321 of The Trouble With Bad Boys

“Yes, of course. Are we heading to the precinct?”

“No, I’ll call him first. The precinct is probably swamped with officials trying to solve the first murder in this affluent town.”

Sixteen

EVA

When the last customer left for the day and Erik and Marlene had gone home, I rushed to the back room and changed into an aqua top and black activewear shorts. Kain was going to show me his abdominal machines and some self-defense moves today. Like the rest of the town, I was on the edge after the murder. Everyone who came into the store talked about the Bleeding Heart Killer.

I hated him for giving a pretty flower a bad image. I prayed the officials would catch him soon.

Trying to stay positive, I snapped a picture of me waving to Kain and sent it to his phone. I had called an Uber to pick me up because Kain had a meeting. I wanted to walk to the Etched Building, but he refused. It was only a few blocks and would’ve warmed me up for the workout, but safety first.

Eva: Be there soon.

Kain: Can’t wait to see you. Can’t wait to touch you.

Eva: We’re training my abs, nothing more.

Kain: I have creative ways of tightening your abs. Excited to start ‘core’ training. Gotta deal with a renovation issue now. Chat soon. Miss you. ??

I locked up and waited for the Uber. My mind wandered to how my life had changed since meeting Kain. I was happier and more hopeful. Grandpa had a huge hand in bringing us together.

“Come with me.” Something jabbed me in my ribs. “You shout and I’ll shoot you.”

I recognized my ex-boyfriend’s voice, and the stench of alcohol made my stomach churn. Fear gripped me as I scanned the sidewalk. No one was around. I wanted to scream, but stopped when I remembered his threat.

Dennis yanked my arm, dragging me to the alley around the corner. Trash bags piled against the brick building. Reeking of alcohol, he pushed me against the wall. He pressed his body to mine. The look in his eyes reminded me of why I had ended things with him.

Terror bubbled in my stomach.

“What do you want, Dennis?” I tried to wriggle free. We struggled for a moment.

Then he slapped me. The force sent me to the ground. Shards of glass cut into my palms. He gripped my shirt, pulling me back to standing. “Behave, and I won’t hurt you.” He wagged the gun in front of my face. “Unless you want a bullet in your head, darling.”

Adrenaline and fear warred inside me. My mind raced for a way out.

“Who was that guy you were with?” he asked.

Dennis’s threat echoed in my head, but I had a feeling I wasn’t getting out of here alive today if I didn’t do something.

“Help!” I shouted, but he clamped a hand over my mouth.

“If you scream again, I will shoot.” He pressed the gun to my face. “I don’t want to hurt you, Eva. I still love you.”

Panic rose in me, but I pushed it down so I could think.

“You done yet? She’s my next victim. I have the perfect display for her.” A man’s voice drew me to the end of the alley.

Bleeding Heart.

He was the man on the train with that woman. Kain mentioned that the woman had been kidnapped. She had a new baby when he’d kidnapped her. Bleeding Heart probably threatened to kill her baby if she didn’t comply with his demands. That explained why she kept looking at the crying baby.

“Not yet. I need to remind her who she belongs to.” Dennis pressed his lips to mine, and I wanted to gag. Then his hand squeezed my breast so hard it hurt. “You’re mine, do you understand? I’m going to fuck you right now.”

Pop! Pop! Pop!

My body jerked from the sound. Dennis’s body sagged against mine and dropped to the ground. I trembled as blood smeared on my shirt and pants.

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