Page 187 of Sinning for Santa

“Yeah, I know. All the CCTVs are off in the area, so you’re good to go.”

We shake hands and I nod, already knowing there’s no digital eyes on us right now. I don’t trust anyone but Dom to have my back with that.

Taking the lift up, I enter Eddie’s apartment cautiously, my hands gloved so no fingerprints are left behind.

Just as expected, the windows and small balcony face Presley’s, with a telescope set up in front of the glass sliding door, angled towards her apartment.

I don’t touch anything, but a quick glance in the scope shows Jaxcen sitting at the kitchen counter, her fork picking at a salad.

I can see every line on her beautiful face.

She looks sad.

Fuck.

I hate that she’s sad.

I want to go to her but I can’t. It’s too risky, and she deserves better.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I pull it out to see a message from Lenny telling me that Eddie’s taxi is pulling up outside the apartment building now.

Good.

Time to get this over with.

Stepping forward, I unlatch the lock on the glass sliding door and ease it open as wide as it can go before shifting the telescope onto the dark balcony, and realigning the scope to see inside Presley’s apartment again.

When it’s in place, I move back inside to the far corner and wait in the dark.

Only a few minutes pass before the apartment door clicks open, and the heavy feet of a man rushes in, muttering under his breath.

His dark silhouette comes into view as he steps into the main living area, his feet halting as the loud city noises float in from the open balcony door.

“What the hell?”

He rushes forward, standing in the open door and scratching his head, before he turns and gazes back inside, his eyes looking directly at me for a brief moment.

He can’t see me. I’m shrouded in shadows, and as he turns back and shrugs, I gather the idiot thinks maybe he left his apartment like this. Either that or he doesn’t think too much about anything, which is also a possibility.

Turning back to the city beyond his balcony, he steps up to the telescope and glances into the lens.

“You fucking whore. I’ll get you. And when I do I’ll make you wish you never went to that fucking place.”

Red rims my vision as I glare at the back of his head, watching him watch what’s mine.

With a levelof stealth that can only be learned, I move from the corner towards Eddie, my gun raised and ready in case he turns around.

He doesn’t. I move up right behind him and press the barrel of my Glock to the back of his head.

“You like perving on innocent women?” I ask and Eddie stiffens as he registers my words and the gun.

“Wha— Who…”

“Who I am doesn’t fucking matter to you,” I snarl, keeping my voice deep and quiet. “But, thewhat am I doingis obvious, don’t you think?”

“I… Is it money? I don’t have much. There’s a couple of hundred in my pocket.” He starts to sob, and I roll my eyes.

Fucking pussy. Doesn’t even have the balls to put up a fight. I shove my barrel hard against his head, and he cries out.

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