Page 62 of Sinful Little Lies

“Uh, yeah. There should be one ready to go. It’s in the blue case on the top left of my desk. Pop it in and power it up. I’ll listen in and have guys on standby if you need backup.” He answers.

“Awesome, thanks man.” I hang up and bolt to the garage, hopping into my McLaren and speeding down the highway to 815 Sycamore Avenue.

My car hidesin the shadows as I watch the still mansion before me. Three blacked out cars sit in the driveway and I speak to Eli through my earpiece. “Eli, can you hear me?”

His voice sounds through the earpiece, “Yeah. Tell me everything you see. I’ll be here.”

Digging through my bag, I strategically hide three knives and two guns on my person. I’ve got one knife hidden in each boot, plus an additional one tucked into my belt. One gun rests in a holster on my side and the other is hidden away in the interior pocket of my leather jacket.

I step out of the car and walk around the building until the backdoor is within my line of sight.

“There’s no one here.” I say to Eli.

“None that you know of. Be aware. Don’t let your guard down for shit.” He responds.

He’s right. I need to be vigilant. This is a life or death matter and pertains to the person who means the most to me in this world. Without her, I am nothing. Without her, there is no me. I was a shell of myself before but now that I’ve felt that sensation of true love and harmony, I don’t want to go back to the emptiness that held me captive before.

Knocking on the back door, I wait for an answer. When none comes, I turn the doorknob and it opens with ease. I step inside to the dimly lit entryway and close the door behind me.

“Door was unlocked. So far, I’m the only presence.” I update.

I take two steps away from the door before the lights switch on and an unfamiliar man is seated before me at a large office desk.

“Hello, Mr. Griswold, is it?” The man asks, his voice deep and husky.

“Who’s asking?”

“I am.” Another voice sounds from the corner and a figure stands in the shadows. It walks toward the middle of the room coming into light.

Fucking Greer Griswold.

“You’re the prick that’s been following us around?” I ask in disbelief.

He laughs, “I thought you’d enjoy my company, little brother. I’m offended.”

“Three’s a fucking crowd. What the hell do you want, Greer?” I spit.

“Funny you should ask. I want vengeance. Not only did you fuck up my life, but you hurt my friend, Grimm. Where’s Leo? Iknow Verena was his girl. But you seemed to snatch her up so effortlessly after he fell off the face of the fucking earth. Was that your plan all along? Manipulate her into thinking you loved her when really you just wanted to get to Leo.” He takes a few steps closer to me and we stand toe-to-toe. “I mean, I get it. She’s a fine piece of a-”

He doesn’t get to finish his sentence. Before I can render my thoughts, my fist rears back and connects with Greer’s ugly ass face. “Don’t say another fucking word about her.”

Greer licks the blood pouring from his upper lip and smiles a wicked grin. “Or what? You’re going to kill me the same way you killed Leo?”

I stand tall, hovering above Greer. He’s not a big guy but his confidence is what makes people fear him. I’ve feared him for far too long. He’s nothing but another person, made of flesh, blood, and bone, same as me. Instead of running away from my fears, they need to be conquered. I’m done tolerating his bullshit.

“I just might.” I say, my tone even though I can feel my blood pressure rising with every pulse of my heart. “How’d you like that birthday Leosagna?”

Greer’s brows furrow in confusion as he puts the pieces together. “You fucking made me eat him?!” He yells, his voice bouncing off the walls and echoing throughout the large space.

I hold up my hands in defense, “I didn’tmakeyou do anything. You’re a big boy, you make your own choices. You chose to eat a delicious meal that was specially made for you. I’m not seeing the problem here.”

Greer shakes his head profusely in anger, “You’re lying. You’re fucking lying. Tell me where his body is. Right. Fucking. Now.”

A laugh bubbles inside of me and when I can’t hold it in, it falls off my lips. Greer’s face turns an undeniable shade of burntorange as his patience wears thin. “You’ve digested him already. He’s floating around in a sewer disguised as your shit, Greer.”

Rage courses through every one of his veins as they protrude through his skin. His yells fill the room as he flips over chairs and pulls at the strands of his hair.

It’s crazy what two minutes can do.

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