Page 4 of The Hand that Frays

When I slide inside her, she grips me like a vise made only for me, and my forehead meets hers as our fevered breaths become a fragrance all their own, a psychotic mix of pheromones and restless energy.

“I’m paying attention to what matters,” she says, andmy lips slam against hers, gobbling up every little moan, every little flutter around my cock.

“You’re what matters in my world, stupid man,” she says against my lips.

I let out a dark chuckle. “And you’ll always be what matters in my world, love.”

The night drawls on, and we lose ourselves in one another twice more before we return to our stakeout of Edward Johnson.

When the grandma finally leaves with the kids in tow, Lyla’s fast asleep on my lap.

The lights in the house go out as I let my stupid love sleep.

After all, the hand of death needs to be steady, not weary.

CHAPTER TWO

LYLA

While Ed snivels, I don’t believe him. The alcohol scenting his breath reveals who he truly is. Even while his children were in his home, vying for attention after their supposedly innocent father got released from nearly a year in jail, he drowned himself in libations instead of paying them any mind.

That is the answer to my questions.

Though I no longer need them.

I only love to toy with them and make them think they will live.

I can’t help it. The desperation in them makes me giddy. It makes me wet.

The woman I was years ago is long gone. She’s buried under at least a ton of trauma and old baggage I don’t peek at. Not when my newfound bloodlust fills a void in me.

I never thought I could be this woman. Now, I’m unhinged and unstable. However, I know I’ll always have my tether to reality in Neo.

His hand is on my shoulder, causing me to shiver as Ilook down at where I’ve tied Ed Johnson to his dining room table.

He’s drawn across it and at my mercy. It’s quickly becoming my MO.

“What do you think, stupid girl?”

“I think he’s going to die,” I say loud enough to pop Ed’s illusion of hope like a bubble hitting a solid object.

He screams, and I march forward, stuffing a wad of paper towels into his mouth.

I turn to Neo as I un-sheath my knife, and he grins. “I fucking love the way your eyes light during a kill.”

I lick my lips, trying not to get caught in an obsession with him when I’m supposed to be working.

“Stay focused,” I snap, and he licks his lips.

My eyes drag down his body, landing on his hard cock. My mouth waters.

“I’m trying, but you know I can’t focus when I’m tired,” he groans.

Neo stayed awake while I napped to ensure we were secure in front of Ed’s house.

I stride closer, stopping before him and looking at his beautiful, rugged face. “I know, baby. When I’m done with Ed, I’ll find you somewhere to sleep, alright? This shouldn’t take long. I don’t feel like dragging it out tonight.”

I run the tip of my blade over his hardness, twisting a bit at the tip of him through his jeans.

---