Chapter Thirteen
Elena
“I think this would be really cute on you.” I held up a pink mohair sweater that screamed my sister.
“You think?”
“Totally. Pair it with grey leggings and you’ll be the talk of our hometown.”
“Is that a good thing?” She chuckled.
I handed over the soft sweater, and she plopped it over her arm. The pile of clothes for her to try on was increasing by the minute. Today was her last day in the city, and I wanted to spend as much time with her as possible. We had a great dinner planned, but it was bittersweet to have her leave.
Part of me was itching to finish up Part Two of my story on the serial killer connection. Even though I came home half-delirious from spending the evening with Jax and his brother, I went right to work on the first article I planned to post on my blog. In fact, the post was scheduled to go live during our dinner tonight.
There were too many things about this investigation that were either being overlooked or covered up, and I was excited to start bringing them out the world. Plus, finishing up the first article last night helped me relax since I was so high-strung from all the kissing and dancing with Jax.
So I never went to bed.
“What about this?” My sister held up a tweed skirt.
“Cute.”
She added it to her pile.
“Is Dad really travelling to Dubai next week?” I asked, noticing a jacket for me.
“He is, and Mom is not happy about it.” She grimaced, adding another shirt over her arm. “After they held him up in customs last time for so long, she doesn’t want him traveling over there anymore.”
“Why doesn’t she go with him?”
“I don’t think she likes it very much. Dad doesn’t either, but he tends to find buyers who are willing to pay a lot more than some items are worth.”
I chuckled. I’d gone to Dubai with Dad once several years ago. Everything was over the top. Lavish fixtures, extremely expensive sports cars cruising down the streets, and women showing off their wealth through jewelry and clothing, and not much else.
Our family was well-off, but I never understood the need to spend sixty thousand dollars on a purse or half a million on a car. It wasn’t my style, and neither was Dubai. I like to think of myself as being somewhat understated, and Dubai was anything but. The opulence was laughable, but to each his own. I knew my sister loved the place.
“Why don’t you go with Dad?”
“I thought about it, but since I’ve been gone for so long, I’m sure I have a ton to catch up on.”
“But it will be waiting for you. Work always is.”
“True.” A spark of excitement surged through her gaze. “Maybe I will. It might be fun to spend our future inheritance on a ridiculously overpriced bracelet or something.”
I cringed at her honesty but nodded in agreement. “Spend it while they’re still alive so they can see what a good head you have on your shoulders. That’s the spirit.”
“It is, isn’t it?”
I laughed. “And maybe it will sidetrack you enough not to tell Mom and Dad about what I’m up to.”
“I should have known you had motives.”
“Don’t I always?”
“It does seem that way. Even in grade school.”
“What can I say?”
“I think it’s time for me to try some things on.” She glanced at the jacket I had hanging from my hand. “That’s all you’ve got?”
“You’ve seen my apartment. It’s not like I can fit much of anything else in it.”
“Which is another reason I can’t understand your wanting to live here. Everything is so expensive and you get so little.”
“I’m not sure why I do either. There’s just something about it beyond what I’m working on.”
My sister grunted as she walked her haul into the dressing room. The sales associate scurried over several times to help my sister, but she never accepts their help and winds up carrying fifty pounds of clothes to the dressing room.
As Sadie tried on outfit after outfit, my mind wandered off to Jax and last night. I hated the fact that I felt something when he kissed me, when he held me, but that would only make my job easier. So far, things were going as planned, and as long as I stuck to what I needed to do, I’d get my answers.
I’d learn which politicians were in the pockets of the Volkovs and what departments looked the other way when the V Mafia invaded the streets at night doing their dirty work.
Just the thought of getting to take them down was exhilarating, and I knew Joey would be proud.
But the way Jaxson’s blue eyes penetrated mine and looked so deeply into my soul made my stomach knot. I quickly squashed those thoughts and peeked behind the periwinkle curtain.
“Oh, that’s cute.” She’d somehow managed to come up with keep and discard piles in a matter of a couple of minutes.
“I think these jeans will look good with so many things,” my sister gushed.
“Jeans often do,” I teased, and she rolled her eyes. “Maybe we should head home before we go out to dinner. Something tells me you’re going to have a lot of bags.”
“Nah. I don’t mind hauling them with me. I’m starving.”
“Your wish is my command.” I chuckled and closed the curtain before finding a seat.
Apprehension slithered through my veins for seemingly no reason, especially with the security guy following our every move. Currently, he was stationed outside the store.
I glanced around the boutique and only saw a couple of women examining clothes and shopping for jewelry.
I took the jacket to the cashier and paid for it when another wave of trepidation settled around me.
The sensation was in my head. The first blog post wasn’t scheduled to go live for another hour. The threats were merely that because as far as they knew, nothing more was happening.
Threats. There was no one around who knew or cared who I was. This endless worrying had to be in my head. I had a lot of balls up in the air.
I slid the new jacket on and sucked in a breath, but a sick sensation crept over my skin again. Glancing toward the door, I saw it swing shut. I made my way over to the entrance. Dashing outside, I saw no one other than a few moms with their children on the sidewalk and business executives rushing to their next appointments, cellphones in hand.
See? Foolish.
I can’t let these people—whoever they are—get to me.
I went back inside to see my sister carrying her keeper pile out of the dressing room.
“Where’d you go?” She cocked her head, pulling her brows together.
“I thought I saw someone I knew.”
“You barely know anyone here.” Her furrowed brow suddenly arched.
I hated lying to my sister, especially since she could see right through me.
“I got hot.” I twisted my lips into a scowl and she chuckled.
“Sure, you did.”
The sales associate ran over to my sister and insisted on taking the clothes from her and over to the register.
I heard my sister and the sales associate chitchatting back and forth as another flutter of unease crawled up my spine. I turned to look out the window and saw absolutely nothing out of the ordinary.
I never should have avoided sleep last night. I was a walking mess of emotions, and yet, I fully planned on skipping sleep tonight so I could answer any comments and questions from my post. I’d sleep when my sister left tomorrow.
Sadie had three full bags of clothing by the time she was done. I grabbed one from her, and we made our way onto the city streets. Being outside with my sister suddenly made me feel lighter, less anxious.
It had to be due to a lack of sleep.
We arrived at the restaurant. We were earlier than our reservations, but I was pretty sure they’d get us right in.
I yanked on the oversized wooden door, and the smell of wood-fired pizza drifted out. This little Italian café was one of my favorites and not far from home. Besides the extraordinary pizza, they also had homemade pasta that was incredible. After last night, I needed carbs and more carbs to mop up all the alcohol that was probably still swimming through my veins.
The hostess recognized me immediately because I came here at least once a week up until my sister arrived. I didn’t want Sadie to know all my secrets, like I had takeout nearly every night. Did I mention they have the best sausage and pepper sub?
“How are you doing?” Cindy, the hostess, asked. “We haven’t seen you for a few weeks.”
“My sister’s in town.” I pointed next to me and Cindy smiled. “This is Sadie, shopping addict.”
“A woman after my own heart. Boy, you two definitely look like sisters.” Cindy smiled, grabbing two menus and marking me off from the reservation list. “Right this way.”
We followed Cindy through the intimate restaurant where wine bottles had been turned into light fixtures and red velvet drapes hung from the large windows.
Cindy sat us at a wonderful table in the corner of the restaurant that allowed us to people watch as the night went on, and she took our bags to the back closet so we could have more room.
I thanked Cindy, and my sister leaned forward, viewing the menu.
“So how many times do you come here?”
“Technically, I only grab my takeout from Cindy.” I grinned. “Everything on the menu is wonderful, and I mean everything.”
“You’ve tried it all?” My sister’s eyes widened.
“Sure have.”
Our server came and took our drink orders, and I glanced out the window overlooking the sidewalk. The creepy feeling had long since left, and I could finally relax, which told me everything had to be in my head.
“It looked like you were really enjoying Jaxson’s company last night.” My sister’s expression turned serious.
“You mean Jax?” I smiled, trying to take the edge off my sister’s stare.
“Precisely.” She took a sip of water and glanced out the window. “They’re all charming, aren’t they? And Devin’s fiancée seems nice, but they were both awfully interested in you.”
“I’d imagine if Jax never dates, they’d be curious why he decided to try me on for size.”
“You’re making light of it, but I’m telling you there was something almost threatening about how Devin asked questions about you, especially once you left the table with Jax.”
“Like what?”
“He kept pressing me for details about what you write. He wanted to look you up.”
“That’s only natural. I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I have to point people in the direction of my work once they find out I write.”
“This was different. I’m telling you that I’m worried.”
“How has that changed since this whole idea popped into my head?”
“I just don’t want them to find out who you really are and what you’re really up to.” She drew a long breath. “And if he’s falling for you…”
She didn’t finish her sentence and didn’t have to. We both knew he was, and if he was a normal human being instead of a killing machine, I might feel a little remorse about what I’m about to do to his heart.
“He’ll get over it and me. He’s only fascinated with me because I stuck up for myself and didn’t let him bully me around.”
“I’d imagine for a man like him that’s not a trait he often comes across.”
“I’m going to treat him like a fun boy toy and leave it at that.”
Our server came, bringing our drinks and taking our orders.
I took a sip of wine, and I felt my heart tighten slightly at the thought of Jax. When he looked at me last night what I saw was honest and raw, but what I planned to do him was the same. My emotions have been raw since Joey was taken from us and I want to make Jax an honest man.
“What if you fall for him?”
My gaze flew to hers.
“I won’t.”
“You don’t know that. I saw how you looked at him.”
“I looked at him like that because if I didn’t, he’d know something was up. These men kill based on an expression.”
She wore a helpless smile and sighed. “There’s no changing your mind. I know that. I love you, and it kills me to say this, but I feel like you’re one step away from having to do a daily check-in with me.”
“That’s worse than Mom.” I laughed and took another sip of wine right as my phone buzzed. “But if it makes you feel better, I’ll do it.”
I grabbed my phone out of my purse and glanced at the screen.
“It’s him, isn’t it?” My sister asked.
“Yeah.”
Excitement drilled through me from just one text from the man, but I didn’t know if it was because my plan was working or because I was genuinely happy to hear from him. I glanced down at the screen again and read the text.
Here’s something else I don’t do. I don’t text women, but I can’t get you out of my head. Every meeting I sat in today, I used as an excuse to dream about you. I look forward to our dinner tomorrow, and please tell your sister it’s been lovely getting to know her. I wish her safe travels.
I glanced up at Sadie. “Jax said it was lovely getting to know you.”
“He didn’t get to know me. I was only playing a part. A part for you.”
I let out a deep sigh. “I know, and I appreciate it.”
“Here’s a question for you.”
“What?”
“What if it’s not just about you? What if they find out who you are and what you plan to do and they come after Mom and Dad? Then how would you feel?”
My blood turned icy and I panicked.
“What kind of question is that? You know how I’d feel, but that’s not going to happen.”
“You can’t be sure.”
“Calamari on the house.” Our server brought over one of my all-time favorites from here, fried calamari with lemon and garlic aioli.
“Thank you,” I told the server and waved at Cindy, who smiled.
“Let’s not talk about this anymore. This is your last night here, and we had a fabulous brunch, followed by shopping, and now a dinner at one of my favorite restaurants.”
“Okay. Deal.” She shook my hand before dipping calamari in the sauce and taking a bite.
After a few seconds of silence, she settled into her chair and relaxed a little more.
“Why do you think they’re trying to tie Missy to the rest of the murders?” my sister asked, leaving me completely surprised.
“Well, that’s not what I expected you to bring up.” I cocked my head and raised a brow, unsure whether she really wanted to hear my thoughts.
“Just because I worry about what you do for living, doesn’t mean I don’t find it fascinating.”
My anxiety eased as I began relaying my thoughts.
“I think there’s a bigger cover-up going on, but I don’t know who’s behind it or what they’re trying to cover up. It could be the police trying to cover up sloppy police work, it could be the councilman putting pressure on the department to tie everything together so his family has a resolution, or I guess it could be that they have real evidence backing their claim that I’m not privy to.” I swallowed away that last thought. “I highly doubt that though. I was looking at the photos last night.”
“When you were supposed to be sleeping?” She took another bite of calamari.
“Possibly.” I smiled mischievously. “And there are so many things that are off. As I’ve mentioned before, Missy’s restraints weren’t the same, the way she was stabbed and marked up doesn’t match any of the other entry wounds on the other victims, and where she was found doesn’t make sense either. Also, all the other women also had drug paraphernalia on them and around them and Missy didn’t. I don’t know. Things aren’t adding up.”
“I almost think you find it more fascinating than investigating the Volkovs.”
“Maybe.” I shrugged. “After all, we know what they did. They killed Joey.”
She shook her head and didn’t say anything as my phone rang. I quickly silenced it and watched the call go to voicemail. I didn’t recognize the number and my worry quickly returned.
“What’s wrong?” Sadie asked, glancing at my phone.
“Nothing. Probably just another scam phone call.”
I watched the voicemail alert come on my screen and decided to read the transcript. The moment I saw the message, I wished I hadn’t looked.
I warned you, but you just don’t get it, do you? Now you’re going to pay, and the fun part is you’ll never see it coming.