Page 13

Chapter 12

Eve

All together it had been a hectic second half of a week, and besides her quick murder Thursday night, Eve had been busy with the investigation, giving help in whatever research or coffee-making she was required for the last few days. Anything to give her a chance to glance at the whiteboard, not that she would be able to do anything about it. They had placed policemen to watch two potential suspects, both sexual offenders. Which stopped her going and have fun, but she had no doubt either was the serial killer she was looking for anyway. Her detective skills had reached their limits, which to be honest were quite low to start with.

Thankfully, Ian was to start working on Monday, and he had seemed, for now, to have kept his promise to keep his future involvement as far away from Cyrus as possible. Eve had no doubt as soon as Cyrus knew she would hear an earful of it. Of course, the psycho-team wasn’t happy about it, but they’d get used to it, it was hard to resist the charismatic redhead.

As for Eve, she was quite glad to have Ian around soon, and more than happy to let him do all the searching-and-looking work, she just wanted to do the slash-slash-kill part.

What was the point in doing hard detective work really?

Like poor Mark, who came back empty handed from what was supposed to be an amazing clue about her. Turned out it was just a grumpy dumped boyfriend, accusing his ex. Truth be told, Eve could still not believe how good she had it with this 11’s. None of the girls had talked or given any kind of useful inform ation to the police. But they could not be stopped talking about the men who abused them during months, or years for some.

Girl power right there.

Letting out a sigh, she pushed open the door to the terrace of the magnificent castle where the Police Gala was taking place. This place was truly enchanting, radiating old legends and magic. But damn she hated these kinds of evenings. She promised Erik she would attend and besides, she heard rumours Cyrus and his friends usually showed up, taunting the police. Not that she was particularly keen on her colleagues discovering any connection between her and Cyrus. They exchanged texts, pictures, videos, and even a few phone calls the last three days, and she was burning for him. No longer sure how much she could hold back if left alone with him.

She was to blame for the exchanges, she was the one who started it with her naughty video, but she sure loved the long, intense, and detailed video of him wanking himself he sent as a prompt answer. She should have hated that kind of thing, because really, a dick video? But the man was well mounted and had a pretty dick. She couldn’t wait to have a taste.

Eve let out an upset rale, bending over the railing, talking to herself. “Here you are again, playing with fire.” She took a deep breath, revelling the refreshing scent of the sea. Finally some fresh air. Quite a contrast to Dublin, she loved the city but nothing could compare to the peaceful countryside. She had managed to escape the mundane – and boring – talks of some policemen wives, and after strolling along many corridors had found a quiet room to hide and admire the view of the terrace.

Leaning forward slightly, she gazed down at the direct drop into the ocean, sending a shiver down her spine. It wasn’t high, maybe 10 metres, with no rocks waiting for her. She had done worse jumps than this, in ill conditions. She stretched a smile, then proceeded to kick off her heels, leaving them in a corner. Slowly, she dragged her dress along her body, revealing her naked form under the moonlight, knowing – hoping — she was alone. Gracefully she climbed the railing and jumped into the depths below.

Cyrus

Cyrus hadn’t moved when Eve came outside, she didn’t see him and when she started taking off her dress, he genuinely thought it was meant for him.

Sighing, he shook his head, looking down to the white figure swimming against the waves, sometimes surrendering to their gentle pull. She knew what she was doing.

“She's insane,” he whispered, worried about the potential danger as she swam towards the cliff. He watched her head towards the nearby beach and smiled. Then picked up her discarded clothes before making his way back into the house.

Eve

Eve swallowed a large gulp of air and dove back into the water, she felt at ease, free of everything. She let her body float, facing down toward the ocean’s sand, her hair floating behind her, only the muffled sound of the waves around her. She swam, peaking her head out, analysing the distance to the nearby beach she spotted earlier, it should lead her back to the mansion. The challenge now was to discreetly return to the party, completely naked, and grab her dress.

Oh well, that won’t be easy she giggled to herself, swallowing some salty water on the way, keeping an elegant breaststroke until she decided to judge the distance to the bottom with her foot. Foot touching the soft sand, she took a moment to catch her breath before walking towards the beach.

Finally out of the water, she wrung her hair taking out as much as water as she could. Her senses sharpened and her body froze, feeling a presence on the beach, barely visible under the moonlight. Her steps became hesitant, until she saw him unfolding a large white towel and what appeared to be her clothes on the ground next to him. A smile spread across her face as she walked calmly towards Cyrus, his burning eyes on her, not holding back, looking at her entire body.

Cyr us struggled to maintain a certain composure with her standing before him, beautifully naked. Not that he would turn his eyes away, enjoying the full shape of her body, taking his sweet time. He scoffed when Eve landed her full cold body against his, well, against the towel he was holding, and closed the towel over her back.

“Charming attention.” Eve leaned against his strong body, taking all his warmth into her. It was indeed a bit chilly, and she hadn’t thought that through. But she warmed at the feel of something against her stomach that was either a very big mobile, or a very big dick, and she sure hoped it was the latter.

Under the glimmer of the moon, she stared at him without fear, he, who frightened the entire country.

“Nothing charming about it. I'm just saving you the trouble of having to explain to that bunch of people what you are doing naked on the beach.”

Really big guy?

A drop of Eve's hair slipped down her back, sending a shiver through her body. Taking her time, she loosened the towel wrapped around her and used it to dry a bit her hair, her body once again on display. With a smirk on her face, she glanced at the man standing before her.

The familiar, lingering gaze in his eyes was as always present. Cyrus McRory, police enemy number one, her biggest rival in the hunt for the psychopath. And potential future bed partner.

He turned away slowly, but before he took a step, he turned his head back to her. “I hope you're aware that no one else will see you naked, ever.”

And just like that, Cyrus left.

Eve sneered, finally witnessing a human reaction from him, the guy was indeed a bit possessive, she might regret playing the cat and mouse game later. Lost in her own thoughts, she continued to gently wring her hair. The cool air gave her the shivers, prompting her to get dressed fast. She picked up her silver dress, beautiful with a delicate fabric, an elegant slit on the left leg and once again a deep back. After all, Cyrus seemed to appreciate her back, and there was no hurting anyone in teasing him a bit.

Cyrus

Stepping into the grand hall, all eyes turned towards Cyrus. He was used to it, had grown accustomed to since his childhood. He had cultivated this enigmatic aura surrounding him, leaving everyone to guess about his true nature. He was not a “good” guy, yet he was genuinely interested in the well-being of his neighbourhood, even the city. Not to mention he was a proud patriot. Rival gangs quickly learned that aligning with McRory was essential for their survival.

Cyrus returned to his friends, who had remained in the exact same place he left them earlier, whispering to each other. A smile appeared on his face when he saw them, the fact that his two friends were homosexual and openly displaying it from a young age had always made people gossip about Cyrus's own sexual orientation. Yet he had never been attracted to men. Women, on the other hand had been a source of great pleasure for him, indulging himself frequently, as the police noticed.

“Where were you?” Ian asked with a disapproving air, his red eyebrows narrowing over those icy blue eyes so characteristic of him.

Cyrus grabbed a glass of champagne from a waitress. “Why? Was there a murder? A revolution? Or perhaps some woman in dire need of my attention?”

Ian raised his eyes to the heavens, a gesture he had mastered to perfection. “Third option. Specifically, womEN, your dear step-mama has decided to pair you up with Tiphany. Who had her breasts done, just so you know.”

Cyrus staggered, taking a sip of his champagne, not sure where this conversation was going. “What does her fake breasts have to do with Andrea’s plans?” His step-mum had been trying since the end of the war to pair him with any heiress from good Irish blood, and he was done with it.

“Well,” Ian started. “She’s convinced that if you can’t find anyone, it must be because you’re too picky… and since Tiphany has a generous bosom now, she’s convinced she’ll be to your liking.”

Cyrus finished his drink, holding back his laughter. Ian hated as much, if not more, all the pretentiousness displayed by the individuals present tonight. This charity event was the only one they usually attended. Not only for the pleasure of witnessing the disapproving looks from the police but also because Erik’s wife happened to be a close friend of Cyrus’s actual mother.

He spotted his step-mum whispering with Tiphany's mother… So there is indeed a plot going on.

Ian had an infallible instinct for it. Always able to protect Cyrus from his own exacerbated desires. As the crowd of plotting women cast puzzled glances behind him, a shiver ran through his body. Eve.

Tiphany, perhaps attempting a sardonic humour laughed. “It seems the French have strange manners after all.” A sneer-and-giggle from all the ladies around her followed.

Eve approached the small group, arching an eyebrow, capturing the desperate, doe-eyed glances directed towards Cyrus. Unable to contain her smile, she turned, walking over to him.

“Good evening, Mr McRory,” she purred in a falsetto voice, deliberately exaggerating her French accent.

Cyrus glanced at her, trying to hold back a smirk.

“Erik informed me you're intimately familiar with this charming mansion. I would simply ADORE it if you could give me a tour,” Eve added, punctuating her statement with an ironic flicker.

“With pleasure.” Cyrus smiled, extending his arm.

He swiftly turned towards his friends before walking out whispering, “I am more of a butt guy anyway”.

Outraged glances pierced the couple as they strolled toward one of the grand double-doors, while his two friends laughed.