Page 15

CHAPTER 14

S talker

Being held captive was entirely different than being captivated.

Yet at this moment, the two felt remarkably the same.

The reason was intoxicatingly simple.

Her beauty had captivated me, but her charm, her rebellious nature, and her lust for the savage sins only provided in the darkness had rendered me her captive.

To some, my almost instant obsession would seem odd, perhaps toxic.

To me, the burning desire sweeping through every synapse and tendon was raw and pure, a fiery birth of filth that refused to be denied.

But with all things in my life, I was a cautious man. I’d been required to be, learning from my mistakes.

And there had been a few of those.

However, in the few days since the hunt, I’d come to realize the seemingly innocent woman stirred a hunger inside that refused to be tamed.

A beast that couldn’t be stopped.

As I pulled up to a light, I pulled my phone into my hand. The single screenshot I’d taken of the sweet Lady Butterfly had been from her company’s website, her true identity a pleasant surprise.

In the photograph, she’d had a blank look in her eyes, her smile practiced and polite indicating trustworthiness. Even the white blouse with only two buttons undone, the dark gray wool suit jacket, and the choice of a muted rose lipstick had offered an air of dependability.

Yet she hadn’t fooled me.

While a prominent prosecuting attorney, I could easily see through her mask of steel. She was as bored with the traditional aspects of life as I was. Perhaps even more so. Ingrained in her was a due diligence to do right by others, to follow the golden rule and all laws. But inside, she was burning with need to break out of her shell.

If what I suspected was true, she’d found the perfect method of doing so.

“You naughty little girl.” I chuckled and wiped the pad of my index finger across her smile. She and I were more alike than she’d ever admit. We both practiced good will when necessary. We both eliminated useless scum, even if her methods of doing so was less physically violent than mine. She’d taken down Baker the Butcher, a monster on a completely different level than I considered myself. He’d taken precious lives for the sheer fun of it.

And she’d taken him down. Somehow, I knew that hadn’t been enough for her. If I knew her at all, my instinct told me she’d longed to handle the judgment of his crime herself.

Perhaps I’d offer her that opportunity.

We both yearned for the heady rush and exhilaration that could only be provided by a hunt.

That’s exactly what we were already playing, a dangerous yet sensual game of predator and prey. Although much too vanilla for my tastes. I wondered if they were also too pedestrian for my lovely Lady Butterfly.

I’d thought her so innocent, a respite from the bloodthirsty monster created almost forty years before, but I certainly wasn’t disappointed in discovering the truth. Why should I be? She was perfect for me in every way.

I pulled on the pair of gloves before selecting the half skeleton face. Tonight I didn’t want my eyesight hindered by a full mask, but this would do. With dark clothing without any indication of brand, including a hooded sweatshirt and boots a size and a half too large, I would remain anonymous as well as blend into the shadows.

I’d call tonight nothing but reconnaissance.

I’d been waiting as patiently as possible since she’d arrived home. She’d enjoyed spending time downstairs, the warm glow of lights indicating she’d remained up long past what should be considered her bedtime. I’d remembered every placement of her furniture downstairs and in her bedroom, a trait I’d also acquired early in my teens. One could never have enough information.

It was well after one in the morning, the area mostly devoid of activity.

When she finally turned off the lights downstairs, I waited until one had been flicked on inside her bedroom before climbing from the protection of my black Jeep. I never used my business vehicle for my more carnal purposes.

I headed across the street, scanning both sides to ensure I wasn’t being watched before slipping around the side of the building to the back.

There was no fumbling in unlocking her kitchen door. Another benefit of being left alone for most of my life was I’d developed various trades to keep my mind active. I could break into any secure location in less than a minute. It didn’t matter the type of lock or how many of them.

Tonight was no exception.

Once inside, I took a deep breath, marveling as the same fresh scents assaulted my senses. Every room had a distinct fragrance, a warm welcome home after a long day spent fighting crime. My pulse thrummed as I continued venturing into her private space. This was different than being invited in, but just as powerful.

My keen senses detected her dinner selection, a delicious and very spicy Mexican dish. One of my favorites. There was nothing like the feeling of catching a glimpse of someone’s world when they didn’t know you were watching.

I slowly moved through the bottom floor, my eyes already accustomed to having only the slender stream of moonlight coming through several half open blinds. She was careful in her actions but not nearly enough to stop a predator from invading her private space.

While the rational part of my brain reminded me that I was taking unnecessary risks, I had to see her. With the darkness protecting my sins, I moved quietly up the stairs, careful to avoid the single creaking board capable of proving my unwanted presence.

But in my mind, I knew she craved my continued interjection of darkness in her life. Only I could provide what she craved. Once at the top of the stairs, I stopped and listened, able to hear her lilting voice as she hummed an unknown tune.

The soft sounds reminded me of a purr, a beckoning to all those in the wild hungry enough to venture from the shadows. I headed for her open bedroom door, finding my vantage point while actively controlling my desire.

The light by her bed was dim in comparison to the one she had on in the bathroom. From where I was standing, I had a clear view of the stunning beauty as she ripped off her evening attire, tossing it aside. Gone was her conservative look, replaced with gray sweatpants and an oversized tee shirt.

But underneath was a fabulous prize, her hourglass figure accentuated by a lacy bra and matching thong. The choice of color was a soft blush, reminding me of that way her cheeks had turned pink the moment she’d taken up residence in my car the night fate had brought us together.

Little had she known what she’d started or who she’d welcomed into her life.

I remained tense, my fully aroused cock pressing against my jeans as I studied her graceful form. She was completely unaware of my presence, oblivious to eyes devouring her every move. Her comfort called to me, breaking open the wounds of loneliness that had been festering for far too long.

She was an angel in comparison to the man standing leering at her, but she was no innocent fawn. I remained transfixed in awe as she slowly removed the two slips of fabric, revealing the warm glow of her porcelain skin against the harsh bathroom light.

My Lady Butterfly deserved much better than the stark bulbs highlighting her delicate skin.

A wash of anger tore through me, but when she was completely naked, arching her back as if stretching her tense muscles, the cords on my neck tightened as desire uprooted every other emotion.

It was raw and primal, the need to control and break her the only thoughts running through my mind.

My sweet Cassandra remained devoid of any clothing as she brushed her teeth and washed her face. The simple acts were more intimate than any kiss could provide. Moments later, she flicked off the light and entered her bedroom, taking her time to open one of her dresser drawers.

I remained silent as she selected a tank top and shorts. I longed to rip them to shreds, exposing what was mine, but I was getting ahead of myself.

While I longed to touch her, to drag her back into moment of ecstasy we’d shared, I knew the time wasn’t right. My self-imposed rules had been created for a reason, used for protection as well as control of my urges.

Which were often beastly.

After running her fingers through her hair, she moved silently toward the bed, throwing back the covers. The same bed I’d taken her on several times months before. If I had the night to do over again, I wouldn’t be so gentle since I now knew what she preferred.

The longing to stroke my hands across every inch of her naked skin remained strong.

Lady Butterfly eased onto the edge of the bed, taking a few sips from her bottle of water and placing her cellphone on the nightstand before turning out the light.

Darkness enshrouded the room, leaving her even more vulnerable.

Did she have any understanding of the atrocities that could be done to her by men with far less scruples than my own? I took a deep breath while she settled under the covers.

Did she sense my presence?

Did she have any understanding that she’d fallen into an abyss that only I could save her from?

The thought was just as powerful as the intensity of my desire, perhaps tonight even more so. In discovering her true identity, in capturing more of her essence, I’d finally found someone worth toying with.

Worth risking my life for.

Once her breathing was even, I walked further into the room, captivated by the way her hair was fanned across her plump pillow, the color even more dazzling by the light of the moon. She seemed so peaceful, her lips pursed and her eyes already rolling back and forth indicating REM sleep.

I moved around to the other side, peering down at her, flexing and fisting one hand as tension mounted. Taking her tonight would be easy, her resistance only accentuating the fire already burning between us, but I’d refrain.

Why?

The partial truth I’d told myself about my rules wasn’t the only reason. In all the years of my life, I’d only had true softness from one other person. Maybe the longing to rebuild what had been brutally taken from me far outweighed my need to ravish her.

At least for now.

I picked up her phone, touching the screen. When it lit up, her face along with another male popped up in vivid color. I was instantly on edge from seeing their smiles and the joy in her eyes. Her arms were around his neck, pulling him down for the awkward photograph.

It had been a long time since I’d felt a hint of jealousy. There was no place for that in my world. In fact, the emotion was dangerous. Weak.

Yet my anger increased as I stared at the happy faces. That’s what I wanted.

That’s exactly what I deserved.

Where the hell had that come from?

Scouring her phone wasn’t a possibility tonight. That would need to wait. Just something else that pissed me off. I gently placed it on the nightstand, turning my attention to her face once again. At least she still appeared serene, as if the wars of the day had vanished for now. I envied her since sleep was rare, images and memories keeping my senses active.

Her bottle of water drew my attention and for some strange reason, I pulled the cheap plastic into my hand. I took my time unscrewing the cap, pulling the thin lip of the bottle to my mouth.

As the cool liquid slipped down the back of my throat, I closed my eyes. I could almost feel her soft lips where she’d taken a sip, could almost taste her wet mouth.

I drank more, managing to silence the predator clawing at the surface. The act was personal, also intimate in an entirely different way. With the bottle returned to its original position, I forced myself to walk away before it was too late.

My every action was silent and careful as I searched her dresser, even daring to open her closet door. Nothing caught my attention that would affirm she was the woman in the video. But my gut told me I was right. I remained unnerved for her, wishing I could rattle Drew’s chains in jail. Maybe I’d find a way.

I’d passed her laptop sitting on a small dining room table.

I stood in her doorway for a few seconds longer. The two sides of the lovely creature kept my mind occupied, her secret both calming and exciting at the same time. I wondered if her two distinct personalities often warred as mine did.

With the question in mind, I left the room, intending on searching her laptop. Instead, the stairs leading to the third floor drew my attention. I hadn’t been invited to the floor and hadn’t crossed any lines on the night we’d shared passion.

I’d been a different man on that evening, someone I hadn’t recognized, but had enjoyed experiencing if only for a little while. Now I was just the Stalker, acting on his need to gather information since a taste wasn’t allowed.

There were two rooms. One was a beautiful library. I didn’t fear turning on the light but did so after I eased the door partially closed.

She’d adorned the room with everything I was certain made her tick, including two plush chairs and a huge ottoman between them. Lining three walls were bookshelves. The number of books that filled them was incredible and I was in awe of her selection.

Her law books were prominent, the scent of textbooks easily recognizable. There was also an old set of encyclopedias. I pulled one into my hands, opening the flap, grinning as I noticed the date of production.

Nineteen hundred and fifty-nine.

They’d been a gift or a hand-me-down that she’d decided to keep. Bravo for her. Alongside were classic fiction books, some obviously required reading in high school or college classes while others I sensed were all about her distinguished tastes.

But there was more. Thrillers. Mysteries.

And romances.

Including dark romances. I recognized the titles from the company’s research. I fingered a few, even pulling one into my hand and reading a short passage.

“When the creature thrust his two cocks inside, one in my ass and one in my pussy, I issued a muffled scream. I was bound and gagged, unable to escape. Even as terror rolled through me, I could feel my core heating to a thousand degrees. I was helpless yet my pussy throbbed as he savagely fucked me, his long reptilian tail swishing back and forth as he did.”

The passage amused me. Aliens with two cocks and a tail.

Yes, my Lady Butterfly was certainly an eclectic reader.

The moment was endearing something I wouldn’t forget. But I forced myself to leave the peaceful room, making my way to the second on the floor.

As soon as I turned on the light, every muscle in my body tensed.

The room in the video. I was positive of it. I moved slowly toward the headboard, brushing my fingertips across the cool metal. The color of the comforter matched and as I studied the contents of the room, I noticed a camera’s tripod placed on the dresser’s surface. I also noticed two drawers had locks on them.

And lo and behold, a key was left near the tripod.

The lovely Cassandra was truly a very bad girl, one who needed punishment. That would only come from me. No one else would ever touch her again.

How strange that the realization felt natural in my mind, as if she’d been hand delivered to me to defile and shape. Almost like a protégé to my dark needs. Together we could be a formidable couple.

Only she still walked the right side of the law where playing in the gray was my forte.

Perhaps I could indoctrinate her.

After taking three long strides, I grabbed the key, easily opening the first drawer. My beautiful vixen had a collection of sex toys that would rival a dominatrix. She even had a sturdy looking tawse that intrigued me.

As I rubbed my finger across the collection, I felt even closer to her than before.

Another primal moment rose up inside of me, the intensity more severe than before. She was showing off her body to others. Was she giving her body to them as well?

I reminded myself that jealousy didn’t look good on me and closed the drawer. However, my need to learn everything possible about her also increased. In the other drawer was a stunning if not avant-garde collection of lingerie.

I brought a pair of thongs to my nose, drinking in her sweet essence. Even washed, I easily gathered a whiff of her natural scent. I was forced to adjust my cock, the ache almost blinding at this point.

I’d need relief soon either in the form of sex or blood. At this point, I didn’t care which.

Without thinking, I shoved them into my back pocket. Maybe I was a freak after all, the beast inside of me needing a souvenir. When the room was exactly as I’d found it, I returned downstairs, resisting the strong urge to invade her privacy once again.

I hadn’t realized before in my hurry to enjoy spending time with her that the table where her laptop remained was also covered in papers, a notebook and pen placed just off to the side. This time, I wouldn’t risk turning on a light, but I didn’t need to. As soon as I hit the spacebar, the light of the brightly lit screen allowed me to see what she was working on.

It was easy to distinguish her handwriting from another, the loops and hearts used dotting i’s a cute representation of her more innocent personality. But her strokes were bold, exclamation points used as well.

My possessive nature began to take over, my mind spinning with possibilities.

The notes were almost cryptic, both sets of handwriting in cursive and not meant for others to read. But I was able to decipher enough that my blood ran cold.

My Lady Butterfly was investigating not only the Blackwell Group and the three men who owned it, but she’d also listed pointed questions regarding the Obsidian Society.

But there was more.

I pulled a single piece of paper into my hand, almost crumpling it as soon as I did.

A name on the top dragged me straight into hell.

Cain Demarco.

AKA our biological father.

The bastard who’d killed our mother.

The worthless piece of shit who’d taken the lives of more than a dozen women.

Spots of blood trickled into my vision, flashes of images that I knew had been repressed.

In the next few seconds, I relived the horrible night when my entire life had changed.

“No! Don’t you hurt my babies.”

“You fucking bitch. Did you not think I’d figure out what you did? Did you really believe you could get away with destroying my family?”

“Please, the children. Just leave us alone. Cain. You’re my husband. But you’re also a monster. You need help. We can find someone who can do that. Okay? Please.”

“You should have thought of that before. Now, you die. You die. You die!”

The paper slipped from my fingers as the echo of my mother’s scream tore through my mind. I spun in a complete circle, slapping my hands over my ears.

I could feel my pulse in my neck, stretching the already tense cords. My heart slammed against my chest, the brutal hammering echoing in my ears. Oh, God. She was dead. So much blood. The knife. I could see the horrible blade as he brought it down over and over again.

Crying.

Screaming.

Then…

Silence.

I squeezed my eyes shut, doing everything I could to block out the unwanted memory. Breathe. Count.

One. Two. Three. Four.

Can my boys hear my roar?

Five. Six. Seven. Eight.

Don’t you know I’ve sealed your fates?

Nine. Ten. Eleven. Twelve.

Soon you’ll learn I can’t be killed.

His voice. My father’s voice.

The echo began to fade, my mind spinning with visions.

When the heinous images began to vanish, I lifted my head.

Very slowly I bent over, snagging the piece of paper into my fingers.

At the bottom of a page was a single question.

Is it possible the Blackwell brothers are killers?

Every move methodical, practiced from years of perfecting my methods, I ensured everything I’d touched was back in its place before turning and heading in the darkness to the back door.

As I went out into the night air, a smile crossed my face.

My Lady Butterfly, the beautiful and beguiling Cassandra had become even more fascinating.

Perhaps she’d been sent to me for a reason.

A light in the dark.

A lifeboat in the storm.

A way of ending the past.

Soon she would learn the answer to her question.

Only then would the stunning woman with the inquiring mind learn that awakening a monster had consequences.

On that amazing day, the full extent of my darkness would be revealed.

And on that day, my Lady Butterfly would become mine.

Forever.