Page 36 of Leo, My Partner

“I know you can, kotenok. Come on. I’m going to pop your murder cherry.”

Chuckling at his ridiculousness, I grab his free hand, and we head to Michael’s house. My hands are clamped around the staring wheel at the perfect ten and two, but Leo doesn’t judge me. He keeps up a running commentary about what we’re going to do when we get back home, his ideas for the coffee shop, and how he plans to get another room built on the farmhouse. I listen while letting my mind wander, not babbling for maybe the first time since we met.

This is big. In another hour, I’ll be a murderer. Am I okay with that? Will I be the same person once it’s done? Well, of course I won’t be the same, but can I handle the man I’ll be?

For Juliette, I sure fucking can. I would have done anything for her, including taking her place so she wouldn’t have been assaulted. If I were braver back then, I would have killed Michael as soon as he exited prison, but I wasn’t. I am now, with the help of Leo.

He makes me feel like I can take over the world. No fear can touch me when Leo is nearby and giving me so much encouragement. My nerves are still there, but they’re more about the anticipation of it all. The lead-up is a killer, but I’m not afraid of the act itself. Not anymore. Leo makes me strong.

When we pull up to Michael’s house, I turn off the headlights and look over at Leo.

“As soon as you see me exit the house, pop the trunk. I want to have him dumped in the back no more than fifteen seconds after. Remember, drive away at a sedate pace so no one will recall screeching tires.”

“Okay. Be careful.” I pull him in for a quick kiss that Leo deepens. I sigh happily into his mouth as he takes control, gliding his tongue over mine.

“I will,” he says against my lips. With one more peck, he gets out of the car and blends in with the night.

I drum my fingers on the steering wheel, waiting for Leo to come back out. My nerves rise to the surface again as I look around, making sure no one is meandering about. We’ve been to his neighborhood before, so we know what times it’s usually a ghost town. Now is one of those times. I’m only hoping someone doesn’t have a reason to leave their homes right now, like needing to take their dog out for a late night walk.

Two minutes after he goes in, I spot a shift in Michael’s front yard, and my heart hammers in my throat as I stare at a misshapen figure coming toward me. Then I realize it’s Leo with Michael over his shoulder, and I breath out a sigh of relief, hustling to pop the trunk. It opens quickly, then I hear a thump as Leo dumps Michael heavily into the back.

Leo opens the passenger door, sliding into the seat. He gives me his sweet but frightening grin that I find irresistible. “Easy,” he quips.

I roll my eyes playfully, then put the car in drive. Praying I can pull this little task off, I force my foot to land on the gas pedal gently. I exhale softly when my body does what I tell it.

The drive to the abandoned building passes in a flash, probably because I’m moving on autopilot. This is it. There’s no turning back from what I’m about to do. Am I afraid? About being caught, yes. Do I want to call the whole thing off and let Michael live as a free man without being truly held accountable for the rape and suicide of my best friend? Absofuckinglutely not.

I’m snapped out of my thoughts when the GPS announces, ‘You have arrived at your destination,’ shattering the silence in the car. Against my better judgement, I jump.

Leo covers my hand with his. “You nervous?”

“Yes,” I answer him honestly.

“I’ll take care of you, kotenok. Don’t worry.”

“Okay,” I whisper.

Like we agreed on last night, I pull around the back of the apartment building, extinguishing the lights when we get to the first floor emergency exit that Leo taped open.

“Grab my kits. I’ll get Michael.”

I do what he says, turning on my flashlight so we can see while Leo hoists Michael over his shoulder and brings him in.

We step into the first apartment on the left, the only one that still has furniture inside. The last occupants left a kitchen table behind. It’s rickety and dented from heavy use, but it’s sturdy. Leo laid on it to ensure it would hold Michael’s weight. And Leo has about thirty pounds on Michael, so we’ll be set.

Once I drop the bags on the floor by my feet, I look around at our kill room as it is. It’s littered with trash prior tenants didn’t clean up. There is a fine layer of dust left behind, making my nose tingle from the urge to sneeze. A faint mildew smell hangs in the air, but that will change as soon as Leo gets started on whatever he plans to do to Michael. He didn’t tell me what exactly that was, just that I’d be pleased with how much it’ll hurt.

Leo drops Michael on the table, his head banging on the surface roughly. I smile, happy that he’ll wake up to a throbbing skull.

After Leo arranges Michael on the table, I grab the kill kit and open it, pull out one of the rolls of duct tape and hand it to Leo. I take the other and help him tape Michael down. Leo is quick and efficient, and I try to mirror his motions. Michael’s feet just hang off the table, and Leo takes off his socks—he snatched him from the house with his pajamas on, so we didn’t have to worry about shoes. I give Leo a questioning look, and he just winks at me. Shrugging, I wrap the tape around Michael’s forehead so he can’t lift his head when he wakes up.

Leo stands beside me, checking that Michael is secure. I paste myself to his side, loving how warm and solid he feels. “What now?” I ask, staring at the man I’ve wanted dead for almost six years. He fucking disgusts me. Having him tied down and at my mercy is exactly where he deserves to be.

“I’ll get some smelling salts to rouse him. Then we can have some fun.”

I return the smile Leo is flashing at me and let him go so he can wake Michael up.

The smelling salts work immediately. As soon as Leo puts the capsule to his nose, Michael snorts and tries to shake his head to get away from the strong aroma. When he can only move his head an inch in either direction, Michael tries to look around.

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