Page 125 of A Secret and a Lie
Delight ripples through me as I notice the tremble in his fingers as he opens the bag, tears now streaking down his miserable face.Good.“Swallow the pill, then stick out your miserable tongue and show me.”
He hiccups, a sob escaping, but I feel no remorse. This is less than he deserves. Finally, he puts the pill in his mouth. I watch as his Adam’s apple moves with the effort.
Sniffling, he attempts to put his tongue back in his mouth, but I thrust the barrel of the revolver there instead. “No, wrap your lips around this and fuckingsuck.” I repeat the words Grady spit at me fourteen years ago, sneering as I add,“Worthless whore.”
Too soon, foam and bile are spilling from the corners of hismouth, seeping out around the barrel of my firearm. Stepping back, I stand there for several more minutes, long after his body slumps to the floor and stops convulsing.
Almost nothing has ever felt better. Well, that’s not true, but then again, it’s hard to compare anything to the beautiful, sweet revenge I felt as I watched a pool of Grady Blandon’s blood grow beneath his lifeless body;thatwas raw consolation and vibrant joy like I’d never experienced.
However, this feelsalmostas good. Had I known he was involved before now, I would’ve reduced him to worm food along with the other men I had in my basement. I never would’ve waited this long to see the light leave his eyes, but the fact that he’s dead now does leave me with a sense of peace that I hadn’t known I needed.
After cleaning my revolver, which I plan to have professionally serviced after being in the mouth of a rabid animal, I scan the space, ensuring there’s nothing that would call into question a suicide ruling. Confident I’m in the clear, I stride from the apartment, leaving an eliminated threat on the rug in the middle of the room, next to a piece of paper that claims responsibility for all my crimes.
My heels click against the concrete floor as I leave the building with a bright grin on my face, stalking toward the sanctuary I should’ve sought fourteen years ago, toward sovereignty.
Ford
SIX WEEKS LATER
Iglance down at my watch when I hear the chime of the elevator and smile. Genevieve never disappoints me, and tonight is no exception. She works a lot, occasionally with strange hours, so when I suggested that we start having dinner together every night at seven, I thought she might protest. She didn’t. Instead, she’s shown up every night for the last month right on time.
“Hello, Superman,” she greets me, striding into the kitchen with a bright smile on her lips.
Abandoning the meal I’m plating, I meet her halfway, snaking my arm around her lower back and cupping her face as I press my lips to hers. “I’m glad you’re home, doll.”
As I finish garnishing the fish I’ve made, I observe her setting the table, her toned quads flexing as she moves. “Is that a new dress?”
I left before her this morning, so I didn’t see what she was wearing, but I’m thoroughly enjoying the sight of the short ruby-red hemline and miles of porcelain skin that I’m dying to sink my teeth into.
Reaching for one of the plates I have ready, she smiles, the edges dripping with seduction. “Yes, I saw a new client today.”
“Anyone I know?”
“Alastair Kendrick.”
I pull out the chair for her, and as we both settle in at the table, I arch an eyebrow.
“I’m not sure if it’ll work out yet, though. He’s…hesitant to hand over a meaningful secret. He wanted to meet today to discuss the potential.”
“Ah, the director of the CIA. Interesting.”
She smirks. “It helps to be connected. Even if it doesn’t pan out, it’s helpful to know that he’s not going to be someone looking to take me down.”
“That it does.” I chuckle. “Speaking of corrupt politicians running corrupt organizations, the FBI blamed their portion of the raid on your office on York half an hour ago in a press conference.”
Over the last six weeks, the news of Percy York’ssuicidehas been all anyone can talk about. This latest development is the final thread being tied up in the eyes of the public.
Thanks to the investigation headed by Homeland Security—and a reluctant FBI—York has been pinned foreverything, including the murder of Vera Choi, who didn’t commit suicide. Thanks to Elliott’s digging, it was uncovered that Vera was going to expose her husband’s habit of paying for sex, and York couldn’t have that since Samuel was recruiting clients for him.
“Marcus told me about that,” she says after taking a bite of the buttery white fish. “So long as they continue to leave me alone, we’ll be able to coexist in relative harmony, but I’m still working on digging up some dirt on Aubrey…just in case.”
“That’s probably a good idea. It doesn’t hurt that Elliott is still on your books either now that he’s been promoted to the Attorney General position.”
She huffs a laugh. “Corinne is calling himHenry two point oh. I suppose she’s right, but everyone wins in that arrangement. He’s kept me safe from any ties that could’ve been linked back to me.”
We’ve quickly fallen into a routine. Most mornings, we work out together, and Drake still drops by occasionally to use my equipment, but he’s been busy with his new job with the ATF. Each night, wehave dinner and fall asleep nestled against each other. Our Sunday afternoons are spent watching movies while Gen devours copious amounts of cookies. It’s painfully normal, and I’ve enjoyed every second of it.
When we both finish our meals, I settle back into my chair and smirk. “I got you dessert.”
