Page 46 of The Vigilant

Chapter Ten

Sutton

User1873: I want a private video. Name your price.

I stared at the chat window and then tossed my phone onto the bed and strolled into the bathroom.

Cool your jets, User1873.

The way Wild Side worked, content creators had custom user names, but viewers were designated generic ones to help maintain anonymity of the clientele.

For the last three nights, I’d explored the depths of the app. Posting provocative photos and then a pre-recorded video last night of me in the bathroom, my back facing the mirror. For the camera, I dropped the emerald green robe, letting viewers see me in nothing but my scorpion tattoo and a stringy black thong.

From what I could tell, it was the same path Mara had taken when she signed up for the app. I went through her profile with a fine-tooth comb, noting first the photos that were uploaded, followed by a couple videos, and after that, nothing.

It wasn’t long between her last video and the night she’d gone with Jack to the White Pearl, but I had a feeling whatever other content she’d created had been for private viewing.

Just like every other app on the planet, users could interact with the posted content but could also direct message the creators. Once a message was accepted, private photos and videos could be paywalled and exchanged.

That had to be how someone found her—someone who wanted more than a private video.

I flipped my head over, running my fingers through my hair to give it some back. When I straightened and looked in the mirror, it had that tossed, sultry look to it.

My posts had mimicked Mara’s. Looks. Poses. Attire—or lack of it. Whatever drew this fucker to her, I wanted to cast the same net to lure him to me.

Of course, there were other ways to get answers. Breaking into the White Pearl. Trying to find someone who would know what happened, and if I were able to find that someone, manage to get them into a position where I could threaten them without putting myself at risk.

It was a lot of ifs and a lot of time—time I couldn’t afford to waste.

But this…if signing up for Wild Side could attract the same man who’d taken Mara deeper into the Triad fold, it was by far the easiest route.

I rested my hands on either side of the sink, lifting my chin a little and examining the column of my throat down to my bare chest. Twin Scorpio constellations dotted out from my sternum like celestial skeletons framing under the curve of each breast.

I wondered what Tynan would think if he saw them in full. What he would say. What kind of growl he would make.

I shivered and straightened, my nipples hardening against the green robe that draped loosely over my shoulders. I hadn’teven bothered to knot it in front of me, so it gaped wide, the edges catching on my piercings.

I picked up my phone again, knowing it was always better to leave pervs like this hanging for a few minutes before responding. Made them more willing to tell me what I wanted to know.

And what would you like me to do in this video for you?

I replied to User1873.

No sooner had I hit send when another message popped into my inbox.

User923X.

Interesting. I’d never come across someone with the ‘X’ designation at the end.

I tapped to view his profile statistics before accepting the message. He’d never liked or commented on a single photo or video, but he’d been a member for several years.

So he was a creeper who only watched and then messaged girls privately. Perfect.

There was a slight pinch in my stomach when I opened the message, like the prick of a needle before it drew blood.

User923X: Did you enjoy the pain of getting your tattoos and piercings done?

Not what I was expecting, but I could roll with it.

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