Page 25 of Strings Attached
“It’s sodium hydroxide. Mix it with water, and eventually, the only thing left are fragile bones I turn into dust.” He gave me a cruel smile. “Those art pieces you think are beautiful... The paint was made using those ashes.”
“Oh.” It was the only word that came to mind as I stared back at the barrels, likely the lye. “Do you ever...murder people by just forcing them into the tub while they’re still alive?”
He scoffed. “I’m a serial killer. Not a monster.”
His words weighed heavily on me for a few seconds. “Do you ever deviate from the cards when you choose for them?”
His hand slid around to my throat, and he held me against his chest. “You mean, do I ever just snap their necks and make it quick?” His fingers grasped my chin. “It’s so easy to snuff out a human life. Just one quick move and...it’s all over.”
“Do you ever do it that way?”
“Sometimes...but it’s too fast, in my opinion.”
So you are a bit of a monster...
17
Jealousy
Ichanged into my little black dress, the rustling of the material echoing in the immense washroom. Jack could easily have split this room in three and gotten himself a washroom and two more rooms. Still, I had to admit the huge shower with multiple sprays looked inviting. The large counter had one sink, and the toilet was a standard one; nothing too special about those. Although, the space made my bathroom back home look miniature.
I was relieved there was no bathtub in here since my mind was already fixated on the one in the basement. Would he show me what it looked like when he put a body in there? A shiver shot down my back, and I did my best to finish my makeup. Not too much since I wasn’t going to the nightclub to party, but I wanted to fit in at least a little.
I stepped out of the washroom and back into the main area. Jack strode forward, slipping on a black t-shirt with the wordsecuritywritten beneath the logo of the club. He stopped in his tracks, his gaze raking my body.
“You look ravishing,” he said in a husky breath. He closed the gap between us, then slid his finger along my chest until it stopped in the collar dip of my dress.
“Thank you.” I swallowed hard at the way he looked at me. As though he wanted to devour me where I stood. And in that moment, I wasn’t sure I’d mind.
Reminding myself I was supposed to keep this professional, I quickly took a step back, clutching my purse against my abdomen. “You look pretty good yourself,” I said with a smile.
He dropped his hand, and for a split second, I thought I saw a gleam in his eyes. “Thanks.” He went to the door that led to the garage and opened it. “My shift starts in around thirty minutes. We should head out. Have everything you need?”
I glanced into my bag, making sure I had my notebook and pen, then nodded. “All set.”
It didn’t take as long to get back downtown since there was barely any traffic at seven o’clock in the evening. He parked in a staff-only space, and we got out of the vehicle. It was hotter than the days before, and I welcomed it since I’d be outside for most of the night.
A line formed in front of the club, and we walked past until we reached the entrance.
“Jack, finally here,” the man at the door boomed. He wore the same t-shirt as Jack but was a bit shorter, although bulkier. The flashing lights overhead reflected against his shaven head as he grinned. “Thought you were going to leave me high and dry tonight.”
“Never.” Jack motioned to the man. “This is David Beauchamp.” He turned to his co-worker. “David, this is my darling girl, Jill.”
My whole body seemed to combust as I shook David’s hand. All the while, Jack watched the exchange with narrowed eyes. “Nice to meet you,” I said, hoping the night hid a bit of my blush.
“Same.” David nudged Jack in the ribs with his elbow before grabbing someone’s ID and letting them in after collecting the entrance fee. “Come on in.”
Jack grabbed a stool and placed it where one of the doors was kept locked so people couldn’t enter that way. “Here.” He helped me up, and I wished I wouldn’t feel so hot and bothered.
“Why...did you introduce me like that?” I almost hissed.
He arched an eyebrow. “Should I have told him why you’re really here?”
I opened and closed my mouth, trying to find an argument, but none came to mind. My shoulders slumped; of course he didn’t really think of me as anything else. He just had to find a way to introduce me. “Well, you could’ve warned me.”
He just grinned. “I have to go clock in. David here will keep you safe in the meantime.”
“You know this isn’t my first time at a nightclub, right? I can take care of myself.”
