Page 39 of Leo, My Partner

“I know.” I kiss the top of his head just as he pulls out the paring knife. He twists it back and forth between his hands, smiling. As a baker, I’m sure he’s used this knife before and knows how to handle it. The meager light glints off the blade. I approve of his choice. It’s small but sharp, packing a punch, like Ty himself.

Looking down at Michael, Ty whispers, “You killed Juliette. Even if you didn’t give her the pills and make her swallow them, you killed her. I won’t be like you. I’ll actually be the one to end your life. You deserve nothing less.”

With that, he stabs Michael in the throat. When Ty pulls the knife free, blood sprays everywhere, getting on both of us. Ty jumps back but doesn’t take his eyes off Michael, who’s struggling on the table. Michael gurgles and thrashes, his eyes wide as he tries to move his fucked up hands from the tape binding him.

It takes him another minute to die, the blood spurting from his neck wound with the slow beat of his heart until it stops altogether. A long exhale leaves his lungs, then Michael stirs no more.

An unfamiliar feeling washes over me as I gaze at Ty, who is still focused on Michael’s body. A feeling so strong my knees almost go weak from how hard it hits me. I’m not sure what it is, but my heart hammers as I look down at him, and an overwhelming need crops up in my chest. Like I need to protect him, make sure he’s happy, be his everything.

What does it mean? It can’t be love, right? I can’t feel love. Love is as foreign a concept to me as a dog speaking English. It’s not supposed to be possible.

Then again, Blu loves June. And I think if there’s a scale for measuring a psychopath, Blu would be at the end for the most unfeeling and unemotional. But he fell in love with June.

As I’m falling for Ty. Fuck, that’s what it is.

Grinning down at him, I kiss him lightly on the lips, hoping to convey how proud I am of him for what he was able to do. I don’t recall ever feeling pride for anyone about anything. Ty is giving me all sort of new experiences, namely watching someone other than fellow psychopaths kill someone.

“Is he dead?” Ty asks against my mouth.

I step away from him and check Michael’s pulse at the wrist. When I don’t feel a heartbeat against my fingers, I look at Ty and nod. He exhales roughly but smiles, coming around the table to throw his arms around me. “God, Leo. That was wild. I didn’t think I could do it. But I did! I fucking did it! I killed the asshole that raped my friend. I sent him to fucking hell where he belongs.”

Chuckling at his rambling, I pick him up and spin him around. “You did. I’m proud you.”

“Thank you. Thank you for doing this for me. And you made it hurt! Jesus, Leo! You fucked him up.”

“Did you enjoy the show?”

“Fuck yes!” Ty’s expression sobers. “We have to tell the cops about the girls he killed. How can we ensure they’ll believe us?”

“Leave an anonymous tip with the location of the bodies and Michael’s name and address. They’ll search his place and find the earrings. They’ll get justice.”

Ty gives me a watery smile, a tear sliding down his cheek. “Thank you. Juliette can rest in peace now.”

“She can.” I kiss his tear away, then set him on his feet before hugging him tight.

After we break apart, we get started on cleaning up, making sure we don’t leave any fingerprints or DNA behind. We both wore gloves and hats to ensure no hairs float on the body or the table.

Even still, we sweep up the floor and wipe the table once we get Michael free and tossed on the floor with no finesse. I won’t dump the body anywhere, since the demolition is planned for the morning. There’s an electrical crawlspace in the hallway by the apartment we’re using so Michael’s resting place will be under a pile of rubble.

Once I toss the body down the short drop, I come back to the apartment, we gather our supplies and get ready to go.

Ty tucks himself close to me, looking around the room. “Thank you, babe. Thank you for helping me with this.”

“Anything for you, kotenok.” I kiss his forehead, then his lips gently.

The ride back to the hotel is relaxed. I’m glad. I feared Ty would curl in on himself after the adrenaline wore off from the kill, but he’s still acting as he usually would. His fingers are threaded through mine, and he’s humming along to the music. Ty seemed happy with the kill. I hope he doesn’t regret it. From his expression, I think he kind of liked it.

I did too. I liked him watching me. While I was burning Michael, I felt Ty’s eyes on me like a physical thing. Fuck, I’m in deep with Ty. I don’t know what it means for me or my future, but I don’t really give a fuck right now. His warm hand in mine and his humming in my ears is enough for me at the moment. It’ll be enough for me for a long time. In this moment, I know Ty is it for me. He is mine.

I never thought I’d find someone I’d want to spend the rest of my life with. I assumed I would have to hide who I am, never letting someone close to me so they wouldn’t see behind the mask. Then Ty comes along and not only accepts me for me, but he joins me in my work. A true partner.

When we pull up to the hotel, Ty slides over to me, kissing along my neck and ear. “When we were back at the building, you said I made you feel a certain way.” His hand drifts down to my cock, which hardens under his hand. “Want to show me what you meant?”

“Fuck yes,” I mutter, groaning at the feel of his soft, wet tongue over my skin.

Biting down on my earlobe, Ty whispers, “Then show me.”

Turning in my seat, I grab Ty by his throat. “After I wash the smell of blood off you, I want in your ass. And I won’t take it slow like I did last time. Can you handle that?”

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