Twelve
Redge looked at the dead girl. It wasn’t right. The whole thing was staged. He glanced at Kindel.
“Should we get Forest back?” Kindel asked.
“Not yet.”
“This is going to escalate.”
“Yeah,” Redge sighed. “I think this is just the beginning.”
“We need to keep this quiet. Do you think Maddox is the ultimate target? Or just who they want to take the fall?”
“Too soon to know. The whole damn thing is sloppy, but it’s almost as if…”
“Sloppy on purpose?” Kindel added.
“Yeah…This framing isn’t about evidence. There is none. The perp is seeking the court of public opinion to destroy Maddox. They want this in the media. You want to go talk to him, or should I?”
“Let’s keep this in the family. Tesla should do it. I need to get started working that dust, and then I need to go under…start catching the threads of this web so we can find the spider before any more girls die. If they want this seen and we don’t show it…”
“We need a detail on Maddox, but he doesn’t need to know it’s there.”
“Agreed.”
Maddox woke in agony. Every inch of him, inside and out, felt bludgeoned. He lifted his hands and watched them shake for a second. Gosh, what was she doing to him? He didn’t know it could be this bad. His stomach twisted with nausea, and cold sweat chilled him to the bone. He’d said he would take it. He’d said he wouldn’t strike back. He had no idea what he was saying when he said that.
I’m sorry, Erin. He tried to send remorse to her, hoping she could feel it. Hoping she would acknowledge it.
She threw her hatred at him like a javelin. She weaponized her pain and stabbed him with it over and over. But it wasn’t just her pain of losing Selena. She shredded him with her contempt.
He wanted to call her. Beg her to stop. Plead with her to ease up, even just a little. But his pride held him still. He wouldn’t let her see how disarmed he was. She needed to do this to him. He’d take it in silence. He tried to mediate through it, wishing he had his father’s discipline in the Kata.
Excruciation crashed over him. She was going to break him much faster than he’d anticipated. He rubbed his eyes, his vision clouding, his thoughts skittering in all directions. Someone touched him. He blinked, looking up into Tesla’s face.
She put both of her hands on his chest, power sliding into him.
“Don’t,” he breathed. “It’s All right. Don’t try to shield me.”
She sniffed, looking annoyed. The sensation from her hands shifted, filling him with a numbness.
“No,” he argued again. “I have to own this.”
She removed her hands and crossed her arms. “I don’t think her hating you is funny anymore.”
“It’s okay.”
“Hmm…what’s wrong with her? Doesn’t she know that hurting you only hurts her in return? And what’s wrong with you? Why haven’t you been able to convince her she’s overjoyed to be with you? Where are all your smooth skills you’ve worked so hard to perfect?”
“My skill is exactly why she hates me. I can’t work her.”
“The hell you can’t. Pull your head out of your ass.”
He took a deep breath and sat up, the room only spun a little. “Mind your own business.”
“I love you.”
“It’s nice someone does. I really did bring this on myself. Don’t worry about it, Tes.”
She huffed and left the room. In a second, she was back with a glass of water. It shook in his hand as he tried to drink. He sighed as the cool liquid slid down his throat, easing the nausea.
“What did you do to me?” he asked.
“Not much. I just numbed your heart a little. Is it some better?”
“Yeah. Some.”
“Good, cause I have bad news.”
He groaned. “I can’t take it.”
“No choice, Maddie.”
“I’m serious, Tesla. I can’t take anything else right now.”
“There’s another dead girl with your name carved into her skin.”
He hung his head, tears burning his eyes. “Did I know her?”
“Yeah, Trish. You went out with her.”
A stream of obscenities came pouring out of him. “I don’t get this! She killed herself like Selena?”
“No. She was murdered. It was all staged. Someone is trying to frame you. It’s good you were out with Melina last night. The murder happened while you were in public. I think it’s important you keep that up. You need to be seen. And you need to act like nothing is wrong.”
“You mean I need to act like a dick.”
“Yeah. Redge is keeping news of the dead girl hushed up.”
“I don’t feel well enough to go out and play lothario. Look at me.”
She pursed her lips. “You have a point there. Here.” She held her wrist next to his mouth. “Drink my blood.”
He frowned. He’d never drunk his sister’s blood. “Um…why?”
“I can’t stop what Erin is doing to you, but I can give you the strength to get through today. Trust me. My blood will fix you up.”
He managed a weak smirk. “Cause you’re so awesome? The elixir of life flows in your veins?”
“Damn straight. Just drink. Not much, or it will go from being good for you to damaging.”
He bit into her wrist, her blood filling his mouth. He swallowed, his eyes bugging. “That is all kinds of wrong!” he exclaimed. Lightning raced through his body. He’d never felt stronger or healthier. Only one thing felt better…Connecting with Erin. “So not fair. I wish I just had some of what makes you…so awesomely freaky. Geez, Tesla. I feel like I could take on the world.”
“Good. Cause you kinda have to now. You have a murderer trying to frame you and a vengeful mate.”
He paced for a moment, looking at the floor. “Do I really have to go out tonight? I just want to be with Erin.”
“What does Mom always say?”
He huffed. “What you want is irrelevant.”
“If this story about Trish comes out, we’ll have to shift gears. You’ll have to make a public statement. If that happens, you need to convince Erin to make your status public. She could protect you, just by standing beside you.”
“She won’t. And I am not asking.”
Tesla shook her head. “I’ll have to repeat myself. Pull your head out of your ass.”
“Thanks,” he said acidly.
“I’m going. Don’t tell anyone about Trish.”
“What about Mel?” he asked.
“She knows. I called her before I came here. I’m sure she’ll be here later to play girlfriend again tonight. You really don’t deserve her.”
“I know it. I’m going to have to get her a really big gift or something…Thanks for the drink.”
“Sure. Let me know if I can do anything. You can come stay at my house if you want.”
“I appreciate it, but I’d rather suffer alone.”
She gave him a quick hug, tore open the air, and was gone. Alone, he tried to think clearly. Tried. It wasn’t working, but at least he wasn’t out of his head, writhing in pain. The pain was still there, oddly scratching beneath the surface. Thinking about what the night was going to have to be like, he decided he needed to talk to Erin. He messaged her.
I need to talk to you. It’s important.
It will have to wait till tonight. I’m on my way to see Jaris.
He ground his teeth as he typed. Something bad has happened. Because of it, I have to go out tonight and act the way everyone expects. I don’t want to. It’s not real.
That makes no sense.
It would if you’d let me talk to you.
Sorry. Jaris is more important than your trivial issue you want to try and manipulate me with.
He narrowed his eyes at her message and imagined slapping her ass. The mental image boosted his mood.
I’ll be out with Melina tonight…unless you’d rather be beside me.
He stared at his watch. It took her a while to respond. Too long really. Was she thinking it over?
Nope. I’ll meet you at your house for our appointment. That’s it…You been feeling me today?
Yes.
How does it feel?
Like shit. How does it make you feel, Erin? You enjoying what you’re doing to me?
Very much.
You’re lying.
He waited. It took her too long again to respond.
Don’t message me again today. I’ll see you tonight.
He smirked. You can’t block me, baby. It was time to move on her again. If she was going to see her chump boyfriend, she wasn’t going to do it with her head clear of him.
Your hair…like gold burning flame…brands me forever.
Stop it.
I want you, Erin…I’ll always want you. Even with a knife in your hand.
She didn’t respond. He smiled. Gottcha.
A few minutes later, she made him pay. Jaris was all over her. Gah, he wanted to die. The burning was blistering, but it was nothing to the rage he felt. Erin was his. Even if it was only for a few more days.
His anger mixed with sorrow. No, she wasn’t his, despite their connection. She wasn’t his, and she never would be. He focused on his breathing. The burning stopped abruptly.
He waited for it to start again. Nothing. Remorse hit him in the chest. It was hers. She was sorry. He jumped at the opportunity and messaged her again.
It doesn’t have to be like this.
Erin pulled into herself and read his message. Tears slid down her cheeks. Jaris knocked on the door she’d locked.
“I’m sorry,” she called. “Please just leave me alone for a few minutes.”
All day, she’d been after Maddox. Trying everything she could think of to hurt him and hating herself every second for it. She’d never sought to hurt anyone or anything on purpose. And yet, that was all that consumed her now. How could she hurt him more? And she was using Jaris at the same time to do it. But what would it say to Maddox if she stopped now? He would win. She couldn’t let him win. After everything he’d done…it was up to her to make him pay. Why wasn’t this job given to someone stronger?
Her thoughts and feelings went to war.
She splashed water on her face, her heart twisting with shame. She knew Maddox would be able to feel it. Her time with him last night came back into her head. He really could have coerced her into bed, easily. He knew it, but he didn’t do it. He didn’t want her to break it off. Why? Why would he want to be tied down to one woman at all?
She thought about the blonde, Melina. Her ego reeled back like it had been bitch slapped. There was no way she measured up to Melina. Not only was she gorgeous, she exuded a strong sense of self. Erin wasn’t anything like that. She could understand why he would want Melina. She couldn’t understand why he would want her. It had to be the connection and nothing more that made him say things.
The rain…and your perfect skin…under my hands.
Her heart trembled as she thought about his words last night. She’d never be able to forget them. She wasn’t equipped to fight against him. She was just another stupid girl. Her heart and ego sank together. Her watch pinged again.
Erin…I don’t know why you’re feeling this, but I wish you weren’t. I don’t want you to feel like this. Not ever. No matter what you do to me.
She winced. Yep. Just another stupid girl.
Leave me alone.
She waited. He didn’t respond. She sighed, pushed her long hair back away from her face, and unlocked the door. Jaris stood there, waiting.
“Oh, sweetheart.” He pulled her into his arms.
She buried her face in his shoulder and cried.
“What’s that bastard doing to you?”
“Nothing,” she sniffed. “It’s me. I’m striking at him.”
“I thought that’s what you wanted.”
“It is. It was. I don’t know. The reality is uglier than the idea.”
“Ugly?” his voice took on an edge she’d never heard from him before. “How ugly were Selena’s cut wrists?”
She shuddered.
“That’s what I thought.” He pushed. “Put some steel in your spine.”
A chill swept through her. “Jaris…I just…”
“Maybe you weren’t as good of a friend to her as you’ve claimed…He’s getting into your head. You can’t listen to anything he says. It’s what he does, Erin. You know that. Don’t wind up like Selena, or any of the rest of his throwaways. Don’t listen to his lies.”
She nodded. “Yeah. You’re right.”
She spent the rest of the day with Jaris, but she couldn’t stand to let him kiss her again. It hurt too much, and all the pain she’d been heaping on Maddox now pushed back on her, sinking an ache down into her bones. The pain spread madness through her mind. She closed her eyes and saw Maddox. I want to touch you. I want the rain. I want the world to go away. Nothing but you and me and no hate in-between. My heart living in yours and yours in mine. Destined. Who am I to know better than destiny?
She shook herself. No! No! No! Stop it. Just hold strong for a few more days. Then you can walk away and never look back. Her watch pinged. She took a deep breath before reading his message.
I’ll be at the Main Street Club in Paradigm by dark. Come. I want to dance with you.
What about Melina?
She will be there, but I don’t want Melina. I want you.
“What do you think?” she asked Jaris, showing him Maddox’s request.
He snickered. “Idiot.” Then his eyes lit up. “Let’s go! You and me. This is the perfect set up. You can humiliate him publicly.”
Erin cringed inside. “I don’t know. What would we do?”
“You could tease him. String him along. Let everyone see how gone he is over you, and then you can make a scene. Tell him off. Make fun of him. Let everyone see.”
“I don’t like to be the center of attention.”
“He does. You can hit him right where it will hurt the most, in his inflated ego…You’ll need something killer to wear. Like a little black dress. Something like that.”
“I don’t have anything like that.”
He looked out the windows at the sky. We’ve got a few hours before it gets dark. Let’s go shopping and grab dinner.”
“I’m broke, Jaris.”
“My treat. Come on. Let’s go.”
It was the most uncomfortable time Erin could remember ever having. Every fiber of her being pulled away from the thought of what she was planning on doing. Yet here she was trying on a black slip of a dress with cutouts at the waist and a slit so high up one leg it was lewd. It wasn’t that expensive, but still…Jaris was paying for this. Everything felt wrong.
She stepped out of the dressing room, her cheeks burning. He didn’t seem to notice. Instead, he grabbed her and kissed her hard on the mouth, holding her a little too intimately. Her skin burned under his touch. She pulled away, feeling dirty.
“Sorry,” he said. “You in that dress…made me lose my head. It’s perfect. You’re a goddess, Erin.”
“It’s almost dark. I need a few other things, and I’ll be ready. Just a few minutes.”
He just nodded like he would have agreed to anything. She grabbed a pair of black stilettos and a gold bangle for her wrist to finish her look. She headed to the beauty counter. She sprayed some stuff in her hair, teased out some curls with her fingers, and put on a true red lip color from the samples. She turned to Jaris. He stared at her like he’d been bashed over the head.
“I’ll pay you back for all this. Promise.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
The night was pleasantly warm as they walked down the streets of Paradigm. Everyone they passed looked at her. She felt their eyes follow her. If her stomach wasn’t squirming, she might have enjoyed it. She tried to hold her head up and exude confidence and indifference. Jaris held her arm possessively. He seemed ecstatic, as if her being on his arm made him the emperor or something.
She heard the music of the club the closer they came. What am I doing? I don’t want to do this. How do I stop it? She pinched her eyes shut for a second. This is no big deal. It’s just a little salt in the wound. Think of Selena. Remember her wrists. Her anger surfaced again. She embraced it like an old friend. She needed it now.