Page 24 of Secrets

Selina.Voice tight, I ask what I already know he likely won’t answer. “I see. And what was the point of waiting?”

Alexi sighs before rushing out a weak explanation. “Because I have my reasons that worked out in the end, and now you have this wonderful gift which was already found,by the way.”

My skin tightens with my furrowed brow. “This soon?”

“Your little drop-off oaf should watch the weather more closely, dear. Incoming storm has the winds high. He washed up only a few hours after you dumped him.”

I grunt, tapping the speaker button and placing it on the small stool beside the tub. Ben usually helps me with disposal and he actually is rather meticulous when it comes to the weather. But with it being so last minute, I didn’t want to disturb him or alert Mrs. Ward to Alexi’s latest task. I have a feeling she wouldn’t be happy about it.

Rubbing my hands over my face, I consider the facts. Kline won’t have evidence on him—at least none of mine, considering the drop off point is at the base of a sewage treatment—but it’s still a bit unnerving. Without the time for the water and its inhabitants to start the decay of his corpse, my signature cuts will be noticed. Though, they may be less noticeable because of what was done to him before he got to my door. Still, I can’t help but wonder…

“Who was called to the scene?”

“A local Georgia PD.” Alexi’s voice has a snarky edge to it. “But a little after that, a federal unit.”

“Shit.”

Jessica didn’t come to my shop today by accident. They clearly had the vial analyzed. Luckily, though I want to stab Lexton for not fixing his address, it seems as though only the variant of glass was able to be picked apart. Realistically, however, it’s only a matter of time before they’re able to dissect Nikolai’s chemical components, leading to my plants. And if they are able to pair that with my delivery boy being found in the Savannah river, it won’t be long before I’m a suspect.

My only saving grace is that Kline was always paid in cash, leaving neither a paper nor electronic trail to connect us, only word of mouth. And no one in Noxus talks. Not to the police anyway.

“I’ll keep my ears open to make sure they don’t point any fingers.” He takes a thick swallow of his drink at the same time my phone vibrates. “But still, tick, tock. Twenty-eight days.”

He hangs up before I have a chance to respond, leaving me alone with a creeping sense of annoyance. This isn’t the first time I’ve killed someone for Alexi, but it doesn’t change the notion that I hate being at his beck and call. Even more so when he gives me time constraints.

With a sigh and a quick scrub, I exit the bath and clean up my clothes before drifting to the bed. I wrangle my curls into a loose bun at the top of my head before sliding between the silk sheets. The cool fabric feels refreshing against my naked flesh, and for a moment, my eyes drift closed, and sleep settles over me. But another buzz of my phone reminds me I have unread messages.

With one eye open, I unlock the screen and check to see who it is.

Unknown 12:51 a.m.

I realllllly hope you’re asleep and this message doesn’t wake you but I couldn’t help myself. I’ve been thinking about you all day.

12:53 a.m.

Not like in a creepy way, but in a truly transfixed and mesmerized kind of way.

12:55 a.m.

I also hope I’m not coming off too strong, but I would like to ask you out on a date. A proper date that lasts more than a few minutes and also involves us eating, and maybe a hike.

1:01 a.m.

Or a movie. I also like those.

1:01 a.m.

I don’t even know if you like the theater. You probably don’t. Too many people around.

1:05 a.m.

Okay, I’m going to stop now. I blame the Four and the fact I was so caught up in my head about you, I lost to Berks and took a few too many shots to get over the loss.

1:13 a.m.

Last thing. You are beautiful. And also a fucking mystery. And I am literally driving myself crazy with wanting to figure you out.

1:13 a.m.

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