Page 6 of One Love

“Yeah, but it’s pretty suspicious that you rock up to the city and now we’re finding bodies with a connection to your family history.” It is suspicious, but I don’t for one second think it’s him, he doesn’t seem like the type to get his hands dirty and his reactions aren’t that of a guilty man right now.

I’m fucking great at my job and reading people and sensing lies come as naturally to me as breathing. This is the only reason Zavier is still standing, because I draw the line at killing innocents. Well…semi-innocents; Zavier isn’t exactly an angel, but he’s not done anything worthy of me bleeding him dry as of yet.

“Of all the things you could find me suspicious of, murder isn’t one of them, Shadow. But I think you already know that, don’t you?” He raises an eyebrow and smirks again.

Deciding to drop this line of questioning, because if he has nothing to do with it, he doesn’t need any more information than I’ve already dropped, I take a seat on the leather armchair directly in front of him. This puts me at a lower level than him while still basically standing, showing him my guard has dropped.

It hasn’t, but impressions are everything.

“Okay. What’s the deal with Mr. Wright then? I know you’re not telling me everything there.”

His booming laugh fills the small space as he shakes his head. “You’re something else, woman.” He pushes off from the desk and crouches down in front of me so we’re at eye-level again and rests his palms on my thighs. “Why don’t you tell me a few things? Like why I haven’t seen you riding that sexy ass bike of yours lately.”

My eyes are drawn to his hands, lying perfectly still, unmoving, but causing a bubbling anger to rise from the pit of my stomach. He begins to slide his hands close to my pelvis, so slowly, pausing when I answer him. “It was stolen.”

“Shame.” Hands still on my thighs, he stands, leaning over me, his face moving closer to mine like he’s about to kiss me. More like he’s trying to distract me.

Just as I’m about to show his nether regions the tip of my dagger, the fire alarms start blaring and Zavier jumps back, glaring at the camera in the corner of the room. The sprinklers burst open next, spraying us and everything in the room, and no doubt inside the casino.

“Dick move. Come on, Shadow. Fire exit’s just out there.”

I know exactly where the fire exits in this place are, but whatever. Saved by the bell and all that. Well, Zavier’s ball sack was saved.

Now soaking wet, I walk out through the office door to see the sprinklers haven’t gone off anywhere other than Zavier’s office, but the alarm is still blaring and everyone is casually making their way outside the building. I don’t want to be here when the fire department and police turn up, so without a goodbye, I leave Zavier behind, making my way through the small crowd of people toward my truck.

Some greasy-haired fucknut with a death wish knocks into me without an apology, and I’ve just about had enough of being touched by anyone tonight. The bruises on my face are a lot less prominent now, but the hole in my leg still fucking hurts and I don’t appreciate inconsiderate people.

The dagger at my wrist is getting a lot of near-use this evening, and for the third time tonight, I let it free from the binding and it slides into my palm.I can just stab this man a little bit and walk away.I’m following him, getting closer to where he has now stopped to talk to one of the servers from the casino, and he’s complaining about his belongings or some shit. As I move to stab him in the ribs, another fucker with a death wish nudges me out of the way.

“Fuckers!” My outburst makes greaseball turn around and roll his eyes at me before he continues his complaint.

I’m done with tonight. Where’s the other fucker who bumped me? I’m more angry at being stopped from stabbing someone than I was at being knocked a little by the greasy fuck.

Taking a calming breath, my eyes scan the small crowd of people…nothing gives any of them away as the stab-blocker. Fuck it. I do notice Zavier talking to someone I haven’t seen around here before though, and if I’m being honest with myself, the new dude’s got a fine-ass profile. A sleeve of dark, swirling tattoos over his forearm, the black T-shirt he’s wearing hugs his figure perfectly…

Then guilt punches me in the gut for thinking of someone else other than Murphy like this. I should be able to appreciate a fine man, but no. My second chance with Murphy had barely begun before it was all ripped away and now I just don’t think that kind of thing is in the cards for me anymore.

Shaking my head and calling it a night, I head back toward my truck, sitting behind the wheel and staring into the dark sky as soon as I’m inside. I turn the heater on because it’s fuckingcold, especially after being drenched by the sprinklers in Zavier’s office. The engine rumbles to life and I begin my drive home, going over what I’ve learned tonight.

Which is absolutely fuck all.

I do need to stay away from Zavier though, because he seems to think he has a right to touch me and I’m trying real hard not to stab him in the ass for it.

Once I’m parked outside my apartment building, the drive home almost a blur, my phone buzzes in my pocket.

Stalker:You look good wet.

Me:Fuck off.

Stalker:Smelled good too.

Me:Fuck off.

Stalker:I love your witty responses. So unique and imaginative.

Me:Fuck off.

I could just not respond, completely ignore whoever this person is, but they’re just so persistent, I kinda admire it. Kinda. I forward the chain of messages to Glitch again, knowing he’s going to find a grand total of nothing, like every other time before this, but I need to do something.

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