Page 24

TWENTY-THREE

MASKED

TOXIC—MANIC KAZZY

CALISTA

A s Dom’s car speeds off, I think I catch his eye, although I can’t be certain. From my vantage point, I watch the race with the cold wind ruffling my hair. Sipping on a beer, I take a few hits off the blunt in my hand, feeling the medication I just took slowly taking effect. I feel detached. I feel liberated. I feel altered. But regardless, I embrace it all, knowing it could be a lot worse.

Looking down from where I am, I see the crowd chasing the speeding cars, appearing as giant, colorful blurs in the darkness of the night. My gaze meets Five’s, and it’s almost as if he can sense my presence—or feel my eyes on him. He grins, giving me a subtle wink while licking his lips and lighting the cigarette that was just tucked behind his ear.

He knows I’m watching...

Concealed behind my mask, I smile back, aware that he can’t see it but cherishing the sentiment nonetheless.

As the sound from the cars echoes in the night, I sit back and pull out my phone, looking up the news. Right away, the shock and horror of the recent murder have everyone in a panic, only making me smile wider.

I did that.

Checking to see if there are any updates, I’m shocked to find out that the police let it slip about the thumb drives that I left at each murder. I figured they’d keep that detail secret, but they didn’t. They did, however, keep what’s on them a secret, which is highly disappointing. I want everyone to know how sick those men were, but I guess it’ll come out in due time.

After reading article after article about the chaos that I’ve been causing, I search my name in Google, wondering if my parents have released anything about my disappearance—they haven’t. Not one fucking word about their missing daughter.

It doesn’t surprise me that they’ve kept everything a secret. They don’t want the attention on them, especially bad attention. Not when my father is in office and my mother is in charge of some of the most prolific charities and shit.

Feeling a surge of satisfaction at the chaos erupting throughout the city, I lean back and take another hit, watching the smoke swirl out through the mouth hole of the mask and disperse in the dark sky, almost instantly.

The feeling of power and control courses through me as I scroll through the news articles, reveling in the panic and confusion that I’ve created. It’s almost intoxicating. Addicting.

As I continue to read, my mind drifts back to the race and the look that Dom gave me as he sped away. I can’t help but wonder if he knows I’m up here watching. But then again, I don’t really care. I couldn’t give two fucks.

Suddenly, the sound of sirens pierces the night, and I can see the flashing lights in the distance. It’s too close for comfort. Without another thought, I grab my things and disappear into the darkness, knowing that the hell I’ve unleashed will keep me entertained for a long time to come.

I reach out to Five with a quick wave, sending a cunning smile his way as I slip further into the shadows. The smell of snow is evident in the air as I breathe in, letting me know that the first flurries of the season are approaching. And with Halloween only a week away, it’s never to early for a snowstorm.

I can’t wait to paint the snow red with the blood of my enemies. To see their lives turned upside down as they did to me.

With plenty more names on my list, I know my work isn’t anywhere near finished. Although I need to take a small break in order to keep the police off my tracks and the mystery of Boston’s latest serial killer under wraps. I’m not ready to get caught yet, not when there’s plenty more work for me to do. Plenty more predators for me to erase from the map.

I wouldn’t mind getting locked up to get away from the turmoil surrounding me, but only when I’m ready. And that time isn’t right now.

But it is time for me to enlist the help of the boys who once had my heart. They’re going to help me finish my list whether they want to or not. They’re going to pay for ruining my life—it’s time. I’m ready to collect.

This is where the real fun starts, and I won’t stop until each and every one of them is taken down. The snowfall is just the beginning of the storm that’s about to hit this city, and I’m the one controlling every move. It’s my turn to play the game, and I’ll make sure everyone fucking knows it.

I get to the guy’s apartment before they do, the silence and empty space allowing me to slip in through the window without any witnesses. Keeping my mask on, I make my way down the hall, sneaking into Dom’s room, an evil grin twisting on my lips underneath the plastic covering my face.

Dropping my backpack inside his closet, I crawl under the bed, light a cigarette, and wait for the fun to start.

“What’s your plan?” Addy asks, popping up out of the blue again.

“I don’t have one yet.” I shrug, sliding my hands under my head as I stare at the bottom of the mattress.

“You know they’re going to catch you this time. The element of surprise will be ruined if you show yourself tonight.” She lies down beside me and copies my position, although turning her head to the right to face me.

“I don’t care, Addy. It’s time I show myself. They know it’s me fucking with them,” I laugh, thinking about all the torment I’ve been subjecting them to lately.

It’s harmless. They know I’d never hurt them, but to see the terror in their eyes every time I left something for them to find is arousing. I want more of that feeling. But most importantly, I want to get to know the guys who broke my heart. I don't know them anymore. I knew them years ago, and since then, I know they’ve changed—just like I have.

I’m not under the bed for too long before I hear the front door open, and commotion follows right after. Dom’s voice is loud and clear while Kill’s is raspy, most likely from all the dope he’s been shooting. Ash is quiet like he always has been, but I can hear his soft whisper as the guys make their way further into the apartment.

I lie and wait, mask on, my knife gripped in my hand. I don’t know what my plan is, but I know that tonight, Dom and I are going to come face to face after all this time.

Watching them and memorizing their routine for weeks, I know they’re all sitting in the living room getting high while Ash flips through the TV. The sound of beer cans being opened rings out, a small echo filtering my way. Silence soon follows, making my stomach twist in knots from the suspense. Anticipation grips my nerves, causing me to sweat profusely as I lie here, still and silent, my heart thundering.

As soon as the sound of footsteps echoes in my ears, another smile curls on my lips, and my foot begins to shake. One by one, bedroom doors close, until Dom finally walks into his room, shutting his door behind him.

I watch from under the bed as he undresses, dropping his clothes to a heap on the floor near the closet, his tattooed chest catching my eye.

The bed dips as he gets in, turning off the light beside him. The TV comes on next, giving the room a soft blue glow, and a light buzzing sound enters my ears.

I keep still, resisting the urge to jump out and announce myself. I don’t want to scare him—not yet. I want to keep him on edge for a little while longer. And letting him know I’m right here isn’t a smart move—not when I need him to sweat a little.

So, I’ll lie and wait until the opportunity is just right, and when it does arrive, that’s when my plan will fully unravel. That’s when I’ll let him see who’s been playing him all along. I’ll let him meet the girl he once knew—the same girl he fucked over.

I lie on my back, the hard floor digging into my spine, staring at the bottom of his bed, knuckles gripping the handle of the knife with all my might. Tonight’s the night it all comes to a head. Tonight, we meet again as strangers. I close my eyes, knowing the moment is soon to come. This is it. This is my time. And I’m going to make it fucking count.

* * *

The rhythmic pulsing of my heartbeat almost soothes me to sleep by the time I hear Dom begin to snore, smiling and breathing slowly. I slide out from underneath his bed, careful not to make any noise.

Standing up, I stretch my body, admiring Dom’s half-naked body sprawled out on top of his blanket, a tight pair of boxer briefs hugging his groin and accentuating his slightly hard cock. Under the mask, I lick my lips because I can’t help myself, getting distracted by the lewd thoughts consuming my mind.

Would he wake up if I started fucking him in his sleep? Would he like it? Would he freak the fuck out?

I shake my head, trying to jumble the thoughts as I step closer, at the same time working on slowing my breathing until I’m calm and relaxed. My fingers curl around the knife handle, my heart pounding with anticipation as I hover over Dom, snoring away. The urge to strike is strong, but I know I have to bide my time. This is a game of patience—of physical torment, and I’m playing to fucking win.

As I stand here, gazing down at him, I feel a sudden surge of power coursing through me. I take a step closer, my eyes never leaving Dom as I get ready to straddle his waist, a mischievous grin tugging at the corners of my lips.

I quickly undress, leaving only my mask and socks on. Then, with no second guessing myself, I quickly but carefully climb onto the bed and straddle his waist. With my knife to his throat, the blade gently touching his skin, I rock my pussy back and forth over his covered cock, ripping a soft grunt from his parted lips. He doesn’t stir. He doesn’t wake up. He just lies underneath me, still and hard, just the way I want him.

As he grows even harder, his cock rubbing against my clit with each thrust, my body shudders and moisture drips out of me, soaking him and his boxers. I study his face under the glow of the moonlight streaming in through the window. His long, dark, curious lashes curl perfectly above his lids, fluttering here and there as his eyes move rapidly from side to side. His puffy, full lips are slightly parted, letting soft moans and snores slip out from between them, and with each breath, his tattooed chest rises and falls in perfect rhythm.

He’s fucking stunning—more stunning than I remember.

But beneath the cluttered canvas of tattoos making up his entire body—the perks of owning your own shop—I can still see the scars we was trying to hide—old and new. And all I want to do, even as I sit here and take in the sight of him, forgetting everything they’ve done, is kiss every single scar on his body, just to show him he’s gorgeous just the way he is.

With my eyes roaming across his chest, I catch sight of my name tattooed over his heart, and feelings of longing and guilt flood my core. I almost drop the knife, but I manage to compose myself, falling deeper into character than I had planned.

Making sure my blade is in place just below his adam's apple, I gently ease his underwear down until his cock springs free, tapping against my pussy. I shiver, but waste no time guiding him to my entrance, using the wetness he unknowingly coaxed from me as lube to let every inch of him slide right in.

My back arches and my hips rise, slowly sinking on his cock until I’m fully seated on his lap…and then I begin to move. Gripping the knife tighter, I use my other hand to grip the sheet for more support, not wanting to wake him. Fucking him while he’s sleeping is so much easier. My only hope is that he sleeps right through it.

But he doesn’t, of course.

Eventually, I begin to bounce harder, being a desperate, needy slut for him and he knows nothing about it. His eyes fling open, and his hands go right to my hips, clasping tightly around them.

“What the fuck?” he gasps, still half asleep, as he tries to figure out what’s happening.

He looks at my face quizzically, trying to decipher the identity beneath the mask.

“Shh,” I whisper, feeling tingles spread through my whole body while my clit pulses like its own heartbeat.

I almost forget about my knife, but the look on his beautiful, sleeping face makes me remember, and I push the gleaming edge harder against his skin.

“Who are you and what do you want?” he grunts, still holding my hips while I fuck him through the chaos.

“I’m fucking you. What’s it look like?” A deep, evil laugh escapes my throat as I tilt my head back, slamming my ass down repeatedly on his massive, pierced cock.

With my free hand, I grab his hand and peel it off my hip, putting it on my breast instead. On his own, Dom’s fingers knead around my nipple, tickling their way to the bar in the center of it. When he feels the piercing, he moans, giving a slight thrust of his hips as if he’s losing control.

I grind on him, just wanting him deeper and deeper, feeling like what I already have inside me isn’t enough. It’s Dom beneath me, and I’m well aware of it, and the fact that he can’t see my face helps my anxiety. But I think he knows it’s me; I just can’t describe how.

His fingers tighten around my breast, causing a surge of arousal to pour out of me, and pleasure weaves its way into every one of my bones. This is my sweet revenge, my way of flipping the script, and I won’t stop until I’ve taken everything from him—just like he took everything from me. In the midst of the pleasure, the feeling of power is heady. I hold the cards—all the control—and until I get what I want, I’m not letting go.

Suddenly, Dom flips me over, pushing me down onto the mattress beneath us. He grabs my wrists and pins them above my head, his eyes wild with confusion and desire—a toxic combination. The look sends chills down my spine, but yet I couldn't be more turned on.

“Who the fuck are you?” he demands, his voice low and dangerous, but his hips are still thrusting into mine.

I smirk beneath my mask, feeling the weight of the knife still grasped firmly in my hand above my head. “Who do you think I am?” I counter, my voice dripping with malice.

The thrill of the unknown races through me as Dom continues to ravage me, his grip unyielding and his eyes blazing with intensity. I revel in the rush, the exhilarating feeling of being both hunter and hunted.

As we continue to dance on the edge of ecstasy and danger, I know that this game between us has just gotten started. The storm I’ve unleashed is nowhere near over, and I won’t rest until each and every one of them has paid for what they did to me.

So I tighten my grip on the knife, my heart pounding with anticipation. This is my moment, and I won’t let it slip away.

Tonight, it’s my turn to play—and play I fucking will.