***
A shiver ran through me as I wiped the barrel of my gun and slipped it in the back of my jeans. The three dead bodies on the floor would be found by lunch time seeing that I was standing in a well-known restaurant kitchen downtown.
"Why don't you fuckers learn?" I turned and walked out into the early morning sunlight, breathing in deeply. I'd been on more kills in the last six months than the entirety of my adult life. My father was slipping deeper and deeper into darkness, and the idea of taking a life had become almost too easy for him.
Of course, it was easy. He just sent me.
Would Grace really want to see me if she knew what I did for a living? Hearing it and seeing it were two totally different things. I was torn in two where she was concerned. I'd longed for her for too goddamn long to just walk away from marking her tender flesh with my scent. She needed to know that she belonged to me, and our relationship moving forward or not would solely be my decision.
It had to be. Her life was at stake simply because of the idea of us being together. My father would never accept her. Or anyone for that matter.
I got on my bike and took the long way to the library, letting the chilly November wind blow through my hair. It would be snowing before too long, and some part of me looked forward to it. It felt clean, alive, whole. All the things I struggled to find inside of myself anymore.
My father had accepted the idea of bringing Cole on board with the syndicate, though I still wondered what would cause a man to offer his services to us. We usually had to force compliance upon anyone we wanted to work with. Digging into his story was something I planned to do the minute I had the chance to.
The parking lot at the campus library was packed, which was never a good sign. It was hard enough to find a place to hide out and read when it was empty, but no doubt I'd be recognized by ten people. My family was too well-known not to. Of course, everyone had it backward. We were pillars of the community, my father's a loving, giving individual. It was sickening to ponder on too long.
I pushed the door open and walked into the familiar smell of old books. Breathing in deeply, I glanced over at the front desk, hoping to find my girl. The crabby old woman that gave Grace hell all the time looked up, sneered and glanced back down.
"Welcome to the library," her voice rang out.
Ignoring her, I jogged up the three flights of stairs in front of me and picked up the World War II novel I'd started the week before. Books were my only reprieve and a secret one. Should someone from the syndicate find out that I spent half my days reading, I'd never hear the end of it.
Leaning back, I lifted the book to my face and read through a few lines before looking up. I could feel someone's eyes on me. Grace.
Her dark hair was down around her shoulders, her soft pink lips lifted in a knowing smile. She was mine, and she was well aware of the fact.
I smiled despite myself. Her long black skirt and frilly button up white blouse made her look like a stand-in for George Washington’s wife, but she did that shit on purpose. Under her antiquated clothes was a tiny little lace bra and panties that barely covered her pussy. It was all for me, though. She knew it, and I did too.
My dick twitched in my jeans before growing thick and hard. She didn't have to do much more than show up, and I was itching for carnality.
I licked at the side of my mouth and let my eyes run down her slowly. When I returned my gaze to her pretty face, her cheeks were pink. Beautiful.
She wanted me to deflower her, to open her up and show her how it felt to truly live, and I would, but on my own time. I needed to be sure I could protect her or walk away if needed.
Glancing back down to my novel, I started to read again and worked to ignore her. The more I pushed her away, the closer she would come, but it was a game of cat and mouse. One that I wanted to last for a long time.
"Hi." Her voice was soft as she stood before me. "Find everything you're looking for?"
"Mmmhmmm." I glanced up and let her steal my heart with her big brown eyes and innocent smile. "Well, actually... I could use a little action, but I figure the war's coming up soon. So scurry off, miss. I'm busy."
"What?" She smiled and reached for the book, pulling it down. "Did I tell you how much I hate you?"
"Did you lick your fingers for me yesterday?"
Her cheeks burned red as she glanced around and reached up to tug at the collar of her hideous blouse. "No. Stop it."
"Well, that's not good is it?" I reached out and brushed my thumb over her lips as she lifted her eyes to lock onto mine. "Sounds like someone needs a spanking." I glanced around and bit my bottom lip before pressing her with a hard stare. "You wanna pick the table I bend you over or are you leaving that up to me, ‘cause I'd love it to be front and center. You're a beautiful woman. Let's show you off a little, hm?"
"Erik." She moved in closer and giggled, nervously. "Come home with me tonight. Please? I'll make dinner, and you can bring your horrible history novel, and we'll hang out."
"I'm only coming over if you plan on spreading your legs for me again. I wanna pop that cherry inside of you." I leaned in and gripped the side of her face, brushing my nose by hers. I loved the way her breath caught, as if she were expecting something intimate from me there in the library.
How badly I wanted to kiss her.
"What? I don't know if I'm ready for that."
"Then no." I kissed the tip of her nose and moved back, lifting my book back up.
"Seriously? I'm offering dinner and... and..."
I glanced up. "And your pussy for me, Grace. That's what I'm asking for. If it's a no-go, then scurry off and get back to work." I glanced back down, knowing I'd pissed her off. It was all part of the game. She'd play it, or I'd walk, and life would go back to normal.
"Erik."
"Shhhh... I'm reading, Kitten." I flipped the page and leaned back, resting against the cold marble pillars. "If I were interested in dinner, what are you cooking?"
"I'm not cooking. Forget I said anything." She let out a soft huff and spun on her heel, walking away in a hurry.
I smiled, unable to help myself. She'd be back to gather me up after she realized what she was giving up for the night. I could hold back as long as it took. Hearing her come on the phone the day before had been more than enough to hold me over until she offered herself up to me, to be my toy, to do anything I demanded of her.
Until then she was left to her own devices for pleasure, and me mine.