Page 220 of The Counterfeit Lover

"That's the one with your special present," he stammers.

I watch him from the corner of my eye, noting the way he's wiping at the sweat covering his brow, his hand going to his neck as he scratches at his skin. He's having trouble breathing, no doubt.

My magic powder acts fast. It shouldn't be too long now. Minutes? Less?

I pretend to be busy as I open the box, seeing two pairs of shoes wrapped in a black cloth.

"And not just one," I raise a brow, surprised.

"It's your initial order and I added another pair with an upgrade," he replies, righting himself as he comes closer.

"What about that box?"

"Guns and knives. A basic pack. You know the type," he adds flippantly, growing increasingly frustrated both at his own reaction and the fact that I'm stalling.

"Alonso," I swivel to face him. "Are you ok? You don't look too well."

"It's this damn itch. Fuck," he bursts out just as he brings his nails down his throat, scraping down the skin, blood immediately reaching the surface. "What the…"

He wipes once more at his forehead, no doubt noting that he's no longer sweating just like a normal person.

"What…" he swallows hard, and his gaze finally connects with mine. "You…"

"Someone should have taught you, Alonso, that you should never try to buy a woman's favors," I take a step forward, my voice back to normal. My cheeks hurt from smiling too much and trying to fake being nice or interested. He notes the obvious change, his eyes going wide in shock.

"Not with money, and not with favors. Not withanything," I continue. Whatever he sees in my eyes must frighten him because he backs away just as I advance, heading for the couch. His hand is already stretched out to reach for his phone, but I won't let him do that.

My hand shoots out, and with one light push, he falls to the ground.

The poison is spreading through his system as we speak, making him weak and growing weaker.

"You see, I wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt. For old times' sake. But you couldn't help yourself, could you? What would you have done had I said no?"

He doesn't answer, his hand clutching at his throat as it's probably closing up as we speak.

"You wouldn't have taken no for an answer, isn't that right?" I smile, a sinister smile that he'll have no choice but take to his grave.

He shakes his head, but as he opens his mouth to reply, he can only release a wheeze that slowly dies down just as he asphyxiates and dies.

His head drops to the ground, his eyes still open and full of terror.

Sneaking a look at my watch I note that I'm on schedule, especially since I know with which location to start first. It could end up a bust, but I'd already been prepared to check the additional ones as well and had planned accordingly.

What I hadn't planned for—or at least I hadn'thopedfor—is dealing with a dead body when I should have just taken the items and gone on my way.

Instead, now I need to improvise a little.

This place is a freaking fortress, so it's unlikely they will let me leave unscathed once they realize I killed their boss.

Quickly thinking of something, I take out his phone, unlocking it with his fingerprint before I go on the web, clicking on a loud amateur porn video. Placing the phone somewhere close to the door, I make sure it's on maximum volume and that it sounds natural enough. Now, this should hold the guards off for a while since I doubt they would like to be reprimanded for disturbing their boss while he's getting laid.

With that done, I return to the couch, where I take Alonso's shirt off as well as his shoes, throwing them around the floor. The harder part is when I have to pull him up on the couch. The man hadn't been kidding when he said he'd gained weight.

Alas, a few minutes later and I manage to move the body. I even arrange him to look like he's sleeping, draping a coverlet around him.

My cover done, I'm finally able to turn my attention to the bounty. My mouth is already salivating at the thought of touching the goodies.

The shoes are first. After all, from the beginning they've been my specialty.

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