Page 31 of Reaper Released

“You underestimated me, motherfucker! That was fun! Catalina sends her regards!”

Trying to stand up, he gurgles, and that’s it, game over. Lights out, and I smile as he slides down the tiles. I take a look at myself in the mirror, grimacing at the blood down my chest and across my face. Stepping over him in the shower, I turn it on and wash myself off, dress and all, till the water runs clear. I spray the floor where the blood has sprayed and send all the stray blood down the drain.

Taking a look at myself in the mirror and touching up my make-up, and rinsing off my knife, I tie my hair back up. Not as fancy as it was before, but I doubt anyone will notice. I towel off my dress. It’s still warm out, so if I can get outside and maybe near a heater, my dress will dry pretty soon, and hopefully, no one will notice.

Walking through the house the opposite way, I come out near the other side of the bar and slide in beside a couple who are deep in conversation. Well, he has his tongue down her throat.

I order two cocktails and neck one. The next thing I know, Carmen’s shouting to me. I turn round, and she calls me over, wandering over to her. She's standing with her brother and Catalina. “I hope you’re having a good night.”

“I am, Carmen. What a lovely gathering.”

“Thank you. My brother has taken quite a shine to you and wondered if you would like to dance!”

“I would love to, Carmen.” I take her brother's hand and pull him over to the dance floor. Carmen grins the biggest shit-eating grin at me and as we swing around. I flip her off, and she barks a laugh at me.

I think he’s called Carlos. Who gives a fuck, anyway? He pulls me in close. “You are an exquisite woman. I would like to have a night with you.”

“Why, Carlos, I am flattered, but unfortunately, I’m recently engaged, and that would be terribly unfair to my fiancé.”

“Hmm.” He pulls me closer, grabbing my arse and grinding his dick into me.

I smile up at him. “I’m so terribly sorry, Carlos. I must take my leave. Thank you for the dance. It was a pleasure meeting you.” As I move to walk away, he grabs me hard around my upper arm. “I don’t like being told no.”

Leaning into him and whispering into his ear, I slide my hand up his chest. “I'm sure you don't, Carlos, and while I’m in your sister's home, I’m trying to be respectful, so I’m going to give you this piece of advice.”

I step even closer and push into him. “I know exactly who you are, but you… you have no idea who I am and what I’m capable of. While you still have your dignity, I suggest you remove your hands from my body. I implore you to realise I’m not the woman for you and allow me to leave civilly, or I will remove them.”

He smiles a vile, vicious smile at me.

Leaning in, I grab his balls and twist, and he squeaks. When people look around, he pretends he doesn’t know where the noise has come from. “Go on, Carlos. Underestimate me. That'll be fun!”

As I twist again, he holds his breath, and I give him the biggest grin.

“I’m going to release you now. I think you should walk out of this house immediately and go home before I make a show of you.” I lean up and kiss him on the cheek, giving just a little tug before releasing him. “Thank you for the dance, Carlos. It was a pleasure.” Stepping back, he grimaces at me and leaves the party. Catalina comes straight over to me, throws herself in my arms, and sniffles.

“Hold it together for me, okay?” I whisper into her hair. “It’s done. You don’t have to worry anymore. I do think you should tell your mum, though.”

She nods. “Will you tell her with me?”

“Of course.” We head over to Carmen and sit down with her. She's at a table away from the party. Most people have left now, so Tali looks at me, and I nod, taking her hand in mine. Once she has told Carmen the full story, Carmen’s vibrating. I put my hand on her arm. “Calm down. It's dealt with! People don’t need to suspect anything, so just smile and nod.” She does, then looks between us.

“Where is he? Did he leave with my brother?”

“No, your brother left after I threatened him when he tried to force himself upon me, but his Lieutenant is in my bathroom.”

She cocks a brow at me. “What’s he doing in your bathroom?”

“Not a lot, not really… the fucker’s dead!”

Then she looks at me, and then at Tali, and bursts out laughing.

“Jesus, Reaper, you're something else!” I smile at Tali and then at Carmen.

“I know, right? I’m the goddamn gift that keeps on giving!” This time we all start laughing, and Demi and Scar join us as we head to the bar and get more drinks, then head to the dance floor. We dance until the early hours and then head back to our rooms.

I shower properly in Scar’s room before heading back to my room to sleep. When I get there, the bathroom door is open. As I look inside, the guy’s gone, and the room’s spotless. Smiling, I shut the door and step back into the room, climbing into bed. I pick up my phone, the alcohol giving me some courage. I check my phone for Steel's number, but it isn't there. I check under Colby, but still nothing, so I go through the whole phonebook till I find him. When the hell did he change his name to that?

Wife: Steel?

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