Chapter Eleven
Elena
“I can’t believe you kissed him.” My sister groaned as she smeared peanut butter on her toast. “Twice.”
“Had to.”
She rolled her eyes. “You were forced? Forced to stand on your toes and kiss him when he was offering to take you home with your burger?”
“I panicked. I didn’t want him to think I wasn’t cut out for him or…I don’t know. I just didn’t want the crying to freak him out and I’d never hear from him again.”
“God forbid you don’t hear from one of the most notorious mobsters in the city.”
“Very few people know that about his family. The general public has no clue. It’s just those who—”
“Those who owe him something or are owed something. Sounds so much better. Let’s see. There are police, politicians, and criminals at the top of that list. Great company to get yourself involved with.”
“I’m a crime writer. Of course, I’m going to have to get out there and—”
“You’ve made a living from your blog, articles, and everything else for years without ever putting yourself in the sightline of criminals. Don’t forget that.”
“Not with these guys.” I shook my head. “They’re too good at what they do. It’s not like I can pull up Google and find what I need to know about them. They cover their tracks. The Volkovs are some of the most giving people in the city. Wolf Industries provides the perfect cover for them. I need to get inside their network to see what they’re really capable of.”
“Right, they’re so giving when they’re not busy slicing people’s throats and shooting men in the back.”
My mind flashed to Jaxson and a shiver went through me, but not for the right reason. I wasn’t scared of this man, and I knew I should be. Instead, I was becoming intrigued.
I clicked my mouse and brought up some photos. “There’s something about this string of murders that doesn’t sit well with me.”
“Well, that’s comforting.” My sister shook her head in total disbelief.
“No, I mean it. All of the women before Missy had certain marks gouged into them, a different kind of wrist and ankle restraint, and the entry wounds weren’t the same. The only two things that are similar are where her body was found and how it was posed.”
“How’d you get all of this stuff?”
“I have my ways.”
“Did it involve kissing Jaxson?”
“I never reveal my sources.”
“He’s got to think you’re a strange soul.”
“He’d be right.” I flashed a wicked grin at my sister, who took a bite of toast in return.
“Anyway, I think there is something more going on. I still find it strange that Harner’s people found me so quickly. The only reason they left me alone was because I’m connected with Jaxson.”
“Which should tell you everything you need to know. Stop pursuing this.”
“It’s not that easy and you know it.” I turned my attention back to the screen. The truth of it was that Jaxson had nothing to do with giving me the police reports. I had connections of my own in the department.
“I think it’s time for me to go back home. I don’t want to wear out my welcome.”
I flipped around to see my sister leaning against the counter. I could tell she was unhappy, but I also knew I wouldn’t be able to do or say anything to make her happy. I wasn’t going to give up my goal. Joey deserved it and so did I. Maybe, when I could finally put everything behind me, I could really start living again.
“You’d never wear out your welcome.” I sprang up and gave her a hug. “What can I do to make you change your mind? I love having you here. You make dinner, you clean, and you keep me sane.”
Sadie laughed, shaking her head quickly. “No one can do that. I think you’re a lost cause.”
I let go of her and chuckled. “You’re probably right, but when are you thinking of abandoning me?”
“Tomorrow.”
“How about the next day? Can I get one more day out of you?”
My sister feigned a sigh. “I am pretty incredible, and you still owe me a dinner out, so…”
“So it’s a deal. I’ll take you out to a wonderful dinner tomorrow and you’ll leave the next day.”
“Deal.” She whipped her gaze away from mine, turning it to the television. “Guess the police decided all the murders are connected after all. So much for your detective work.”
My eyes met the screen, where I saw what my sister was talking about.
Serial Killer on the Loose in Gotham City. Councilman Vows Justice for His Niece.
“The media always has a way, doesn’t it?” I let out an annoyed sigh and walked over to the couch. “Why now? They could have announced a serial killer weeks ago.”
“You know how it is. Someone with even a little clout can move mountains whereas the little people just continue to get shit on.”
“That’s the spirit,” I muttered, refusing to subscribe to that way of thinking even though I’d seen it time and again.
“I’m glad I’m getting out of the city, and I really wish you would too. I don’t know why you like it here so much.”
“It’s not that I love it, but it’s where I’m at now, and I’ve been able to run a lot of good stories because of all the resources at my fingertips.” I wandered back over to my laptop and closed out the photos.
Even though I was working on Joey’s story, I planned on writing about this latest string of murders prior to this afternoon’s announcement. Since the police declared all the murders connected, I really wanted to get into it more and see what I was missing. It would be a good story for my blog and would buy me time as I continued to work on the Volkovs, specifically, Jaxson. The memory of his kiss flooded through me, and my body warmed. It was all part of the plan.
“Earth to Elena.”
I glanced at my sister, who had one hand on her hip with her foot tapping and the phone in the other.
“What?”
“You’ve got a phone call.”
I took the cell from her and answered on speaker.
“Am I speaking with Ms. Egorov?”
I glanced at the screen, not recognizing the number or the voice.
“This is she.”
“Good. Whatever you think you’re doing, stop. Get your nose out of where it doesn’t belong and quit playing investigator. You’re out of your element.”
“Excuse me?” I asked, but the person hung up.
“Could you even tell if that was a male or a female?” I asked my sister.
“Not a clue. I think they used voice modulation or something.”
“Great.” I slid my phone on the counter and felt my sister’s stare boring into me.
“Did you ever get calls like this on any other crime stories you’ve investigated or written about?”
She already knew the answer was no. I slowly turned around to face my sister and shook my head.
“No, I haven’t ever gotten threatening phone calls or people showing up at my door.” I wandered over to a loaf of bread and grabbed a slice, trying to pretend I wasn’t a little freaked out. “But this doesn’t have anything to do with the Volkovs. If anything, it’s the creepy councilman. That woman said something similar to me at my door.”
“Or it’s just the crowd the Volkovs run in and this is everyday for him. Think about it. Jaxson knew precisely that they’d give you trouble and track you down, and he was right. You can’t pretend that any of this would have happened had you not made contact with Jaxson.”
“Then don’t you think it’s even more imperative that I stay in his good graces? He might be the only protection I have until this blows over.”
“So the very man you want to ruin, you’re also hoping will protect you?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know what I want, but I’m certainly not going to turn down help if I’ve got some crazies on my tail.” I took a bite of my bread. “But I’ll tell you this. Whoever thinks they can tell me what to do has another thing coming. I’ve merely decided to speed up my production schedule.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I wasn’t going to publish anything about these murders for a couple of weeks, but I think that tonight after you go to bed, I’ll post my first article.”
“Great. I’m just sooo glad I can report back to Mom and Dad that everything’s fine and you’re as safe as can be.” She groaned and tightened her ponytail. “Why are you poking at this?”
“I don’t like to be threatened.”
She nodded slowly and glanced at the cellphone. “Maybe you should report this to the police.”
“They won’t do anything.” I licked my lips. “But I know who will.”
“Please don’t say his name.”
“Fine.” I reached for the cell and dialed Jaxson’s number, not mentioning his name. “I think the damsel in distress act might please his senses, and I want nothing more than to do just that.”
“You’re playing games with the devil, Elena,” she whispered just as Jaxson picked up.
“Hey there. This is Elena, and—”
“Is everything okay?” he interrupted, and I let out a slow breath.
He was acting the concerned boyfriend already, and we hadn’t even gone on an official date yet. Maybe this would be easier than I thought.
“Actually, no. I got a call from someone telling me to leave everything alone. Get my nose out of where it doesn’t belong. I’m assuming whoever it was meant Missy.”
“Was it a male or a female?” His voice pulsed with urgency.
“I don’t know. I think they used some voice modulating software or something. How would they know I was even involved?” The question had actually just popped into my head.
How did they know?
“I’m guessing whoever made that call was at the murder scene, which makes me wonder about the connection.”
A chill skated across my skin.
“You mean like the murderer?” I asked. My voice was barely above a whisper.
“I don’t know.” His voice changed. “I’ll send security to your apartment and—”
“No. You don’t have to do that. I only wanted to tell you what happened. I don’t need protection. It’s not like that.”
“Elena, you don’t know what it’s like, and neither do I. There’s no point in arguing.”
I sighed into the phone. “What about you? Maybe you could be my protection?”
“Is that what you’d like?” His voice sounded distant.
“Probably not a good idea. Forget I said anything.”
“I’m actually busy tonight until after eleven.” He drew in a breath. “But after…”
My sister groaned behind me and I didn’t blame her. I’d never been this forward before, and it was probably making her wish she’d left for home earlier this afternoon.
“No, you should get some sleep after you finish doing whatever it is you’re doing so late at night.” A few seconds of silence passed. “I’d assume it’s beating in some other poor, unsuspecting guy’s head in again.”
“Elena, I can guarantee you that none of the men I encounter are poor or unsuspecting.”
“So are you going out to—”
“I didn’t say that, but I want you to understand that anyone I happen to run into in an evening surely deserves whatever’s coming to them.”
“I’d imagine it’s all a matter of perspective.”
“Possibly.” I heard a few voices come over the phone. “I’ll bring a late dinner, but until then, one of my guys will be outside your door.”
My sister’s gaze connected with mine.
“Okay, I’ll see you then,” I nearly breathed into the phone, and he hung up without another word. My heart rate was going a million miles a minute and I couldn’t figure out why. What did I think was going to happen? My sister was here, for crying out loud.
My sister!
I dialed the phone as my sister gave me a perplexed look.
“Jaxson here.”
“Sorry. Me again. My sister is here so—”
“I’ll bring enough food for her as well. Goodbye, Elena.”
And he hung up again.
Just like that.
“Was that weird, or is it me?” I asked my sister, who’d already curled up on the couch.
“You know what? I’m not the one to ask. I think you’ve both crossed over that line days ago.”
“Did he seem concerned?” I sank onto the couch next to her.
“Very,” she said dryly. “Did his rush to send over security not clue you in?”
“I suppose.” I stared at my sister, wondering if it was easier to be her.
My curiosity wasn’t coming from a bitter or jealous place, but one that I’d long wondered. She always seemed so carefree, bouncing back from hardships and loss. When her first boyfriend broke up with her, she was out dating by the next weekend. I wallowed for months after my first broke up with me.
When my cousin passed away, she mourned at the funeral and that was about it. I often wondered why I was plagued with never being able to shake things off. I certainly wouldn’t be in this predicament if I had that ability, but I doubt my life would be nearly as interesting.
“Since we aren’t going to eat until eleven tonight, we should probably have a pretty hefty lunch. Let’s get Chinese food delivered.”
My sister furrowed her brows. “You’re not at all concerned about tonight or the fact that some complete stranger is going to be stationed outside your door?”
“Not particularly.” I let out a long breath and closed my eyes. I could tell my sister was about to show the side she rarely showed. For the most part, she was carefree, but when something got under her skin, her wrath was nothing to be messed with. I could see the disappointment and disgust percolating right under the surface. “How about we pretend today is a storm day like when we were kids? We’ll pig out on Chinese food, watch movies, and have some wine. Deal?”
“What makes me even more mad at you is that when I want to be furious with you, you manage to make me forget everything that’s irritating.” My sister narrowed her eyes on me.
“So is that a yes?” I chuckled.
“Only because I’m leaving soon.”
“Well, good.” I heard a noise from the hallway by my front door and made my way over, peeking through the peephole. “Okay, so that was fast.”
“What? The guy’s here?” she whispered as if the man could hear us.
“And he’s huge.”
“Well, I guess things could be worse.” She got up from the couch and wandered to the window, looking down on the busy streets of the city. “This place never slows down, does it?”
“Not like at home. No.” I pulled a bottle of wine out of the fridge and grabbed two glasses. “But there are times when it seems almost peaceful.”
“I can’t imagine it would ever seem peaceful.”
I brought her a glass of wine. “When it snows, it’s absolutely beautiful, and at night, it seems like the entire world is on hold as the flakes fall.”
“I’ll have to trust you on that.” She winked and took a sip.
I called in our order and thought I’d better let the hulk outside my front door know before he pulverized the poor delivery guy. By the time I shut the front door, I realized I didn’t know the man’s name, and I had absolutely no intention of finding out.
He was a man of few words.
I picked up my laptop and sat on the couch as my sister scrolled through the movies. I glanced at what I’d written so far about the string of murders and the similarities between most of them. It was a good start, and hopefully, I could finish the first post tomorrow since tonight was suddenly taken up.
“Let’s do a marathon,” my sister announced. “I feel like binging on an entire season or two of something. I never get to do it at home.”
“Works for me.” I took a sip of the chardonnay and felt the coolness slide down my throat. “What are you going to tell Mom and Dad about me?”
Her gaze shot to mine. “I hadn’t really thought much about it.”
“You going to tell them about Jaxson?”
“What part?”
“Any of it?”
“In all honesty, I’m hoping they don’t ask a thing because I don’t know what I’d tell them. I certainly don’t want to scare them.”
“You think it would?”
“Please. They’re already on high alert from the article you published a few months ago about that kidnapper who got off on some technicality. Can you imagine if I told them that you’ve been threatened by politicians and your only protection is from a mobster?”
“Now you’re being dramatic.” I laughed and took another sip of wine.
“Am I?” She smiled and picked a series from Starz that neither of us had watched but vowed to start together since we’d both read the books.
Four empty take-out containers and countless hours later, a knock on the door brought us both back to this century, and I glanced at the clock.
“It’s not even nine so it can’t be Jaxson.”
“Maybe he’s early?” she offered.
“I suppose.” My heart spiked at the thought of what I looked like. I’d actually planned on getting out of my sweatpants and running a brush through my hair before he arrived, but so much for that plan. I ran my hands down my sweats and took a deep breath in.
“You look fine,” my sister said under her breath, clearly annoyed that I cared.
I walked over to the door and peered out my peephole. My blood turned hot at the sight of him, and I cursed myself for noticing how good-looking he was. It didn’t help that he held two bouquets in his hands. This wasn’t the man I wanted to paint a picture of.
I opened the door and noticed the hired muscle had stepped down the hall a few paces, but I immediately brought my gaze to Jaxson’s, and every single cell in my body reacted to him.
“You’re early.”
“I canceled my plans and wanted to take you and your sister out on the town.”
“You really didn’t have to cancel your plans.” I squeezed myself self-consciously as his eyes fell along my body. “I mean, look at me.”
“I can’t help but look at you, Elena. You’re beautiful.”
“You’re a real charmer.”
“A charmer with flowers.” He smiled as my sister came up behind me.
“He brought flowers?” her voice went up an entire octave. It was as if all of her worries had been washed away by a dozen roses. “Let the man in.”
Jaxson handed me a bunch of red roses and gave the yellow one to my sister. He’d thought of everything.
“Thank you. They’re beautiful.” I took a giant sniff and the scent of roses filled my senses. “I haven’t smelled roses for so long.”
“Come on in,” my sister said, nearly pushing me aside as she led him in.
“So, where are you taking us? What should I wear?” I asked.
“What you’re wearing is fine.” He smiled.
I spun around and laughed. “Unless you’re taking us to a bowling alley, I can’t imagine this would fly wherever your fancy kind goes.”
“Was Bud’s fancy?”
“I wouldn’t go there in sweatpants, if that’s what you mean.”
“I’m taking you out for dinner and dancing with my brother Devin and his fiancée, Avery. They’re both in town finishing up some details.”
“Details for what?” I asked.
“Their wedding.” His eyes nearly twinkled with amusement. “I might even convince you to be my date.”