Page 24 of Wicked Lies Grow Wildflowers
Days passand I still need to get my aggression out, so I decide to do a little sleuthing on The Skinner and see what I can find using some of my underground connections. Unfortunately, since his true name is unknown, I can’t start out with searching through his social media accounts like I typically do. No worries, I’ll just have to get creative. The good news is that if his real identity is unknown, he shouldn’t be too missed when I kill him. More work now, easier work later. I can do that.
I compile a list of people who may know of The Skinner’s whereabouts. Those who are in the same underground scene and who I know will keep my line of questioning confidential if they want to continue seeing the light of day. I learnt a long time ago to always have a solid backlist of loose allies if need be.
Five solid connections seems promising enough—time to get to work. I’m going to find this fucker, and when I have him begging for his life, he’s going to tell me who he really is, and why he put a hit out on Liam’s nephew.
A few phone calls later and I have some very valuable information. The Skinner hasn’t been caught by the local cops or any feds because he always has others carry out his smaller tasks in order to remain elusive. He’s rarely been spotted, but I’ve gotten a rough description of his appearance to go on. He operates a large ring of drugs and prostitution on the west side of the state and wants to expand, which is likely why he’s been after Mark and his family. With the Marino family having a holdon nearly all organized crime on the east side, this Skinner fuck must be eager to lose his life by challenging them.
The only other information I could find on him is that he loves to use and abuse women, a true gentleman. I can’t help but roll my eyes at that thought. It’s been known that any female who gets involved with him winds up missing or found dead—hence the string of bodies. I do wonder why anyone would continue to take their chances with someone so notorious. Drug use is likely to blame; those in the throes of addiction will do anything for another high, as I’m becoming quickly aware.
I start to formulate my plan, mapping the areas I want to stake out and when I want to do it. I’m going to have so much fun once I find this piece of shit.
My phone pings and I turn it over to a message from Maeren.Great.I haven’t messaged her for several days, not since we met at the White Rabbit. I need to at leasttryto pretend like I can stay away from her. While I may not have directly communicated with her, she’s been in my thoughts every free second I have.
Maeren: Hey Xander, just wanted to see if you were okay. Haven’t heard from you since the other night. Hope all is well. XX
Heat rushes up my face. She’s worried about me. No one ever worries about me.Fuck. I’m so utterly fucked.I text back a few minutes later.
Me: Yeah I’m good, just been busy with work. How are you?
Maeren: Oh I’m sure! Lot’s of website building going on? I’m doing well enough.
I scoff at that, if only she knew.
Me: Yeah, lots of clients have come in recently, it’s going to tie me down for a bit.
Maeren: Oh okay, well I don’t mean to bother you too much, just wanted to make sure you were still alive.
Fuck, she thinks I’m trying to brush her off and it makes me feel like an ass.
Me: I’d like to see you sometime this week. I can clear some space in my schedule for you.
Maeren: Oh great! Yeah, let's try to get together, maybe Thursday? Your place or mine?
I’m not moved into the house I bought through her yet, and I don’t want to disclose my real home so soon. Hers is the safest option.
Me: Yours is perfect, see you then.
Somehow Thursday is too close and too far all at once.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
MAEREN
So far Xanderhasn’t left me any more notes or flowers which makes me a little sad because I started to like it, once I got over my initial fear and all. Thankfully, it’s finally Thursday, and he’s coming over soon. I head to the store to grab some frozen pizzas and wine because I said I’d make dinner. I hope my lack of cooking skills doesn’t scare him off, but pre-made pizza is the best I can do, unless it’s spaghetti or something in a crockpot.
When I’m in the wine aisle, I feel a prickle on the back of my neck and turn to see someone who looks familiar several feet away from me. It takes me a minute to register who it is, and I realize it’s my mother’s boyfriend, Simon. We make eye contact and I offer a small smile. “Oh, hi Simon! Funny seeing you here. Small world.” I still feel awkward after the dinner incident.
“Maeren! So good to see you! You know, your mother misses you and isn’t happy with how things ended last time you were over. Would you like to have dinner with us again? Next Saturday? She also has a bracelet you left at the house a while ago if you want to stop by and pick it up soon.”
“Oh, I’ll have to let you know about dinner. I’m just not sure I’m ready to see her yet.” I want to be cordial, but I don’t want totalk about my mommy issues with a man I barely know, one who may not be around long anyways.
“Well, you have my number and hers, just let us know. You’re always welcome.” He smiles at me, and somehow it feels… slimy.
“Yeah, okay, I guess I’ll pop by for the bracelet this week sometime. I’m finished shopping now, so have a good night.” I smile and walk off to the checkout. I don’t remember leaving any jewelry at my mom’s but who knows really. I usually leave in such a frenzy that it wouldn’t surprise me if I left my entire car behind one of these days. I’m not sure it’s worth grabbing but I suppose I can go by when I know she’ll be at work. I make a mental note of that as I ring my groceries up.
When I return home,I throw the pizzas in the oven and the wine in the fridge to chill. I don’t know Xander’s intentions for the night, so I change and make sure my bra and panties match, just in case.
I’m flicking through my streaming channels when I hear a knock at my door and excitedly run to open it. “Xander!” I clear my throat, trying to not sound too excited—heaven forbid I come off overly eager. “Please, come in.” I usher him inside and shut the door behind him.
