Page 23 of Haunt Me

“Just a cup of coffee and a few minutes of your time, please,” I request, my words met with a look of bewilderment. Nevertheless, she dutifully jots it down and walks away, her footsteps barely audible against the tiled floor. As I watch her leave, a smile creeps onto my lips. Her hips sway with a hint of playfulness, drawinga chuckle from deep within me. Already, I can tell she is going to be a handful.

She comes back with my coffee a few minutes later, and before she can leave, I gently grasp her arm. "Please, I just want to talk. Just a few minutes, I promise," I implore. After a moment's hesitation, she sighs and takes a seat across from me.

"Fine, what do you wanna talk about? Make it quick, I still have customers," she says, crossing her arms. Suppressing a chuckle, I lean in, my tongue gliding over my teeth and I notice her eyes are instantly drawn to the subtle movement.

"I know about your ex that’s made his appearance, little star," I say. Instantly, her eyes widen.

"W-what? H-how do you know that?" she stammers softly.

"Don’t you worry about that, I just want to know—what’s he doing back?" I study her face intently, and I can sense she knows something by the way her face pales.

“He’s looking for his missing brother,” she says, her voice hushed, her eyes darting around as if guarding asecret. Knitting my eyebrows together, I try to make sense of her words.

“Brother? Who?” I scoff, leaning back in the booth. With a smirk, she leans forward, the smell of her vanilla perfume invading my senses.

“Oh, I don’t know, maybe the one whose insides you brought to my house in a gym bag.” Her words hit me like a punch to the gut.

“Is that so?” I reply, my voice dripping with amusement. “Pretty boy is his brother?” I ask, unable to contain my laughter.

“Was,” she corrects, her tone sharp. “If that’s all, I need to get back to work.” Before she can rise from her seat, I interrupt her, my voice cutting through the air.

“How exactly do you know this? I thought you didn’t know him personally.” Her face pales as if she’s seen a ghost.

“I didn’t know him, I—well I, um…” Stammering, she avoids my gaze.

“Spit it out, Starlet,” I say a bit harsher which immediately draws her attention back to me.

“I... I met Zavier for coffee, and that’s when he told me, okay?”

Coffee? Are you fucking kidding me?

Anger surges through my veins, but I reign it in, not wanting to intimidate her further. I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself. Our eyes meet, and I lean in closer, my voice low.

“Stay away from him, Starlet. Trust me.”

“W-why—.”

“Just do as I say, please. I have more questions, but I won’t keep you any longer. I’ll see you tonight.” I quickly gulp down my coffee, the bitter taste lingering on my tongue. I leave a few crumpled dollar bills on the table, my mind already racing with plans.

She must be confused, but I won’t scare her without reason. I have to get proof that this goodie two shoes is nothing more but a fucking monster.

If Starlet is as smart as I know she is, she’ll stay away from him.

Entering the dimly lit apartment, a heavy atmosphere of unease hangs in the air, emanating from Demitri.

“Who pissed in your coffee?” I inquire, tossing my keys onto the worn coffee table. Demitri sighed and finally says, “My parents contacted me today.” I stare at him with a cocked brow, waiting for him to continue.

“They want to ‘reconcile’ or some bullshit,” he says, a dry chuckle escaping his lips as he collapses onto the couch. “Did you ever get into contact with your parents after everything?”

“No, I’m not interested,” I reply coldly.

“Oh, before I forget—I have some good news for you.” He changes the subject, grabbing my attention.

“So, a good friend of mine is an excellent hacker and can infiltrate just about anything and anyone. He agreed to help us with our little investigation,” he proudly announces, wiggling his eyebrows.

“Yeah? Good, I assume you know where he lives.”

“Of course. Let’s get to it, shall we?” he replies, tossing my keys back to me.

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