by S. M. Shade
Mason has assured us there are no cameras on the Sixteenth Street Bridge. It’s a damn good thing since Arlen George has less than an hour before he’ll be flying over the guardrail. We can’t just make him disappear, but if the man decides to kill himself on the walk home? It won’t exactly be a tragedy.
Traffic is non-existent in that area in the middle of the night. It’s a bad neighborhood and no one in their right mind would be hanging around on the bridge after dark. It’s also a common place for jumpers and junkies. They’re always fishing bodies out of this part of the river. One recently arrested pedophile won’t raise any suspicions.
I’ve never actually killed anyone, or even been a part of a person’s death. I’ve only been brought in after to help dispose of the body. A small part of me is worried I won’t be able to go through with it. I just need to keep that kid’s face in my thoughts, remember the damage this pervert has done. I’m not killing a man, I’m killing a monster.
Jeremy waits down the street from the county jail and just after three, sends us the message we’ve been waiting on.
-On his way. North side of street.-
Without his wife to pick him up, he’s walking home, just like we hoped. He’ll walk right across the bridge, where we’re waiting for him.
It’s chilly out, but I’m sweating like I’ve run a marathon and I can feel every beat of my heart. Adrenalin floods through me when I see him approaching. He’s walking with his head down, arms tucked around his middle for warmth, and he doesn’t even register our presence until he’s a few feet away. He nods and continues with barely a glance in our direction.
Justus wastes no time. “What the fuck!” Arlen shouts as Justus grabs him and drags him to the guardrail. The guy is skinny as a meth head. He has no chance against either of us.
“As much as I’d love to think of you getting ass fucked in prison, I’d rather save the taxpayers the cost. A baby rapist like you doesn’t deserve a trial,” Justus spits, his face contorted in anger. Normally, Justus is the most laid back guy you could meet, but when it comes to pedophiles and rapists, he has no mercy. “Grab his legs.”
I comply, grabbing his legs and helping Justus get him on the far side of the rail. Arlen’s body is stiff as a board as he tries frantically to get back on the road. “No! I never touched that lying little brat! He wanted it!”
Any apprehension I may have felt dissolves at his words. Justus chuckles and goosebumps race up my arms at the bitterness in his laugh. “Well, I want this.” Justus nods at me and as soon as he manages to peel Arlen’s fingers from the rail, breaking at least one from the sharp snapping sound, I shove him between the shoulder blades.
He goes over easily. The sound of his head cracking against the rocks before his body tumbles into the river will haunt me the rest of my life. For a second, I’m afraid I’ll puke, but the feeling passes as Justus grabs my arm and pulls me away. “Just walk like nothing happened.”
Sitting in my hotel room an hour later, it feels like it didn’t really happen. Like I was watching it from a distance or on a movie screen. I killed a man. I should care. I should feel bad, but every time that asshole’s last words come back to me, I only feel relief. He’ll never hurt anyone again.
It’s just past dawn when I shower and climb into bed. I’m afraid the dead man will haunt my dreams, but instead I dream of Zoe’s big brown eyes. Fuck, I miss her, but I have to know I’m going to get away with last night before I get in touch with her. Before I tell her I’m in love with her. I can’t drag her into this.
It’s late afternoon when I wake and after a visit to the gym and a quick swim in the hotel pool, it’s dark enough to venture out. Most people love summer, but fall has always been my favorite. It gets dark earlier and earlier, but the bitter cold hasn’t set in yet. A cool breeze ruffles my hair as I approach my house to check how the repairs are coming along.
I’ve never been very concerned with having money and when I inherited my uncle’s massive estate, I took it with a grain of salt. No amount of money will really change my life. You can’t buy a cure for XP. It seems money is good for some things, though.
The construction crew has been hard at work the past few weeks, and my house looks like a house again. They are still finishing the drywall in the kitchen, and it’ll need painted, but all in all, the repairs have gone well. I’ve also taken the opportunity to start a remodel on my office, knocking down a wall to make a larger workspace for ISH. We can’t keep using Dare’s apartment. The workmen with the UV proof windows are coming tomorrow. I should’ve had it done before, but I’m used to just keeping the curtains closed. It wasn’t until I barked at Zoe for opening them, that I realized most people need to see the sunlight.
I guess I should be looking for a new house since I really don’t want to live at ISH headquarters, but I’m just not in the mood to house hunt. All I can think about is Zoe. How am I going to manage a relationship with her and still hide the darker side of ISH? It’s bad enough she has to overlook my sunlight issue, knowing I’m a criminal on top of that may send her running. And I can’t wait long. She’s beautiful, caring, and smart. It won’t take long for some other asshole to steal her away.
As if she can feel me thinking about her, Zoe calls my phone. My finger hovers over the accept button, but my indecision doesn’t last long. I need to hear her voice. “Hello?”
“Landon…I…we need to talk. Are you at your hotel?”
Shit. There’s no way she’s figured it out already. Whatever she has to say can’t be good. “Are you okay? Did something happen?”
“I’m fine. I just don’t want to have this conversation over the phone.” She sounds tired. She was probably up all night consoling Ethan.
“I’m at my house. Do you want to come here, or should I stop by?”
“No, I’ll come to you. Be there in a few minutes.”
“See you then.” Damn. My anxiety shoots through the roof. What does she want to talk about? The way I cut off all communication with her? How I got cops to the hospital so quickly? I have no idea what to tell her on either subject.
As soon as we hang up, my phone rings again. This time it’s Justus. “Hey, Albino. Did you see the five o’clock news?”
“Fuck off, stripper. Albinos can go in the sun. And no, I haven’t been near a T.V. What’s going on?”
“Cops found a body under the bridge. They’re calling it a suicide.” Relief floods through me. At least I won’t have cops at my door.
“Happens all the time,” I reply. There’s very little chance anyone has tapped into our conversation, but it’s better to be safe.
“Yep. Listen, Dare’s getting the guys together for poker later. You in?” There’s nothing surreptitious in this question. We get together for a poker game about once a month.
“I’ll be there.”
A bright red sedan rolls up my driveway and it takes a second for me to realize it’s Zoe. My eyes are glued to her as she approaches me, her hair blowing around her face. With a cute little frown, she slides a band from her wrist and hastily pulls her hair into a ponytail. I want to grab her and kiss her until she begs for air, but I’m sure she won’t appreciate it after my recent behavior.
I settle for giving her a quick hug. “Did you get a new car?”
“Yes, did you kill Arlen George?”
It takes a moment for her words to sink in. “I, why would you ask me that?”
Her arms fold across her chest. “Because I’m not stupid. You work for an organization that deals with predators, you were pissed when you found out what happened to Colin, and you called someone to arrange his security. Then you disappeared. Today, they found his body in the river. I want to know the truth. Did you have anything to do with it?”
This is the first time in my life I truly don’t know what to say. I know any future I could have with this woman rests on my response, and I doubt lying to her is the right answer, but I’m handing her the power to send me to prison if I come clean.
With a sigh, I look into her golden brown eyes. “Yes.”
Her wide eyes and the way she takes a step back tell me she may have suspected, but she didn’t really believe it. “This…is this what ISH does? Kills pedophiles? Oh my god. How many people have you? You know what? Never mind. I have to get out of here.”
I can’t let her go while she’s in a panic. “Zoe, stop. I’ll tell you everything you want to know.” At least she doesn’t flinch away when I grab her wrist. She may be freaked out, but she isn’t afraid of me. “Please…just…let’s sit on the porch,” I plead.
After a second of hesitation, she nods and follows me to the wooden porch swing. “Do you remember when we were watching the program about child molesters and you said they should be put to death? Did you mean that?”
“Yes, but-”
“Just let me explain. Yes, I pushed him off of the bridge. No, I’ve never killed before, and I don’t want to ever again. ISH isn’t a group of serial killers. We really do report the offenders to the police department…most of the time. But, Zo, there are some guys who are nothing but a threat. Repeat or extremely violent offenders that the courts just keep releasing back into society. In those rare cases, we take them out before they can target another child.
“Arlen George had a rap sheet a mile long. He’s been molesting and raping kids since he was a teenager. He’s spent half his life in prison, yet was able to get out and abuse your brother’s friend. He never would’ve stopped.
“I saw how devastated Ethan was and how it affected you as well. I watched you leap into action and report it to social services. I couldn’t just stand there and do nothing when I knew we could help, but I only intended to report him to the cops until I found out about his past.”
Zoe remains quiet throughout my explanation and for a few minutes after I finish. I’ve never been so nervous in my life. Finally, she shakes her head. “He did it before and they let him out. This never should’ve happened to Colin. I know you don’t know him, but he’s a sweet kid, funny and quiet.” She turns, a blazing look on her face. “Thank you,” she says fiercely.
Will this woman always be able to surprise me? I expected fear, disgust, or horror. She’s thanking me? She gets to her feet. “You never have to worry about me telling anyone. I should go.”
“Don’t. Stay with me. I’ve missed you.” My fingers wrap around her wrist, but she resists when I try to pull her down beside me.
“I’m not stupid, Landon. You want to fuck. Then when you get bored, I won’t hear from you again. Sorry, but I have a little more self-esteem than that.”
She’s trying to sound pissed, and I’m sure she is, but all I can hear is the hurt in her voice. The pain that I put there. “I know. I know it was an asshole move and I’m sorry. I know I should let you go. I should leave you alone to live a normal life with someone who doesn’t have to hide in a shitty hotel. And I thought I could, but these weeks without you have been torture. You’re all I can think about. I’m sorry I ignored you, but I’ve never been in love before, and I didn’t know what to do. I thought I was doing what was best for you—and maybe I was—but I’m selfish and I love you and I want you back.”
Her gaze meets mine as she sits down on the swing beside me and whispers, “Say it again.”
My fingers slide around her neck, delving into the soft hair on her nape. “I want you back.”
“Not that, you asshole.”
Laughing, I pull her into my arms. “I love you.”
“It’s about damn time.”
“Come home with me, Ms. Difficult. I need you in my bed tonight. I’m going to lick every inch of you.”
Moonlight sparkles in her eyes when she sits back and replies, “I’ve missed you, too, Dumbledore.”
“Who the hell is Dumbledore?”
“The headmaster, duh.”
Chapter Eleven
Zoe
Wow. I came here worried Landon was a murderer, and left with it confirmed, his arm tucked around me. I suppose I should be scared, worried that if a man can kill once, he won’t hesitate to do it again, but I’m not afraid of Landon. I know he’d never hurt me, or any innocent person. I want to know more about ISH, about the risks he takes, and what I may be risking by being with him, but now is not the time. I just want to revel in the feeling of his warm arm around me. No matter how busy I’ve kept, or how much I tried to forget him, to pretend I didn’t care, I missed the hell out of him.
There’s still something I need to know. “Have you been seeing anyone?” I ask as we walk to my car.
“What? No! Have you?” He looks infuriated at the thought.
“No, so, just to be clear, you haven’t fucked anyone else? No bar sluts?”
He stops and cups my jaw. “No. You’re all I need. All I could think about. My poor hands are chapped from taking you to bed with me every night and waking up with you every morning. Even though it was only in my head.”
“That was almost romantic,” I laugh.
His lips take mine in a fierce kiss. “I’ll show you romance later, baby.” My ass stings under the palm of his hand, and I squeal, stepping to the side before he can swat me again. “Now get in. I’m driving.”
“Savage.”
“Ms. Difficult.”
“I love you.”
“Of course you do.”
Landon slows the car and turns into a gas station. “I’m going to grab a drink,” I tell him, hopping out of the car. “Do you want anything?”
“No thanks.” I steal a glance at him as he slides the nozzle in and starts pumping gas. He’s so damn gorgeous. He catches me staring and winks at me, his lips raised in a crooked smile. Smiling, I turn and head into the station.
I’m grabbing a cold soda when I hear a familiar voice coming from the next aisle. I can’t place it right away, but before I can spend any time trying to remember, Jason steps around the corner with another man in tow. I haven’t heard a word from him since our date.
“Zoe,” he exclaims. “Hey, how are you?”
“Fine,” I reply. “How have you been?”
“Good, good.” He nods, looking uncomfortable. “Look, I’m sorry I never called. I had a really good time with you.”
“It’s okay, really.”
His friend remains silent, looking from one of us to the other, trying to work out who I am. As I turn to walk away, Jason grabs my wrist. “Zoe, wait. I really do want to apologize. My ex and I got back together. I should’ve called and explained.”
A strong arm wraps protectively around my shoulders. “Are you ready, babe?” Landon asks, glaring at Jason.
“Yep. It was nice seeing you again, Jason. No hard feelings?”
“None at all.” He grins and walks away.
Landon peers down at me, and I give him a look of warning. I know he recognized Jason, and I’m prepared for him to act like an ass. “Your ex?” he asks, his voice even.
“No. We had one date. He’s just another guy who cut off all communication with no explanation.”
He winces and looks me in the eye, guilt clearly written on his face. “I’m sorry, Zo. I’ll never do that to you again.”
“Good. I’d hate to have to kick your ass.”
A smile crawls across his face, and we start toward the front of the store, his arm still around my shoulders. “I can’t take you anywhere.”
“I’m sure you have a much longer trail of broken hearts behind you.”
We climb back into the car. “You’re my first and only relationship. I’ve never trusted a woman enough to tell her about my condition.”
My hand wraps around his. “Then I guess you’re stuck with me.”
A smile stays on his face as he focuses on driving. I text Ethan to let him know I’ll be staying at Landon’s as we head down the highway. “Everything okay?” Landon asks.
“Yep, Ethan’s staying at a friend’s house tonight, but I wanted him to know where I’d be just in case.”
“How
is he dealing with everything?”
“He’s worried about Colin and what will happen when he gets out of the hospital, but he’s a strong kid. He’ll be okay.” He’s been through worse. I hate it for him, but it is what it is. “He’s excited about moving and getting his license.”
“You’re moving?”
“Oh! Yeah, I forgot to mention, I bought a house.”
A bright smile cracks his face. “That’s great! Is it nearby?”
“North side of town. I’m having furniture delivered tomorrow. Maybe you could come by tomorrow night?”
“I’d love to.” He veers onto an exit that’s nowhere near his hotel.
“Where are we going?”
“It’s poker night at Dare’s place. I just want to stop by and let him know I’m sitting this one out.”
I rest my hand on his thigh, the firm muscle under my fingers is enough to make me want to get him naked. “You don’t have to cancel on your friends. We can get together tomorrow night.”
His ocean eyes are illuminated by a streetlight. “I’m not letting you out of my sight. Besides, I want you to meet the guys.”
I guess he’s serious if he wants me to meet his friends. “What am I supposed to know about ISH?”
“Just what I told you before, that we track predators and report them. I’ll talk to them later, but for now…”
“I’d rather they not know I know about ISH’s extracurricular activities,” I assure him.
Dare lives in an apartment complex that makes mine look like a ghetto. Well, judging by the gunshots and overall poverty of my neighborhood, I guess it is a ghetto. We drive by a large swimming pool and clubhouse before parking outside of a small building. It looks like there are two apartments per building, and Landon leads me to the door on the left.
“You assholes better have clothes on,” he calls out in lieu of knocking, and pulls me through the doorway. “I have my girl with me.”