Page 2 of Darkness Tempt Me
What are you, Carl? A fighter?No, something tells me he’s even more cowardly than the others. Men like Carl can hurt women and children without batting an eye, but turn the tables on him and he’s ready to piss himself and surrender.
“All those times you and my father passed my mother around like she wasn’t even human. The way you treated her like she were an object. A little toy to throw away once you were done with your sick games. I was there. Those things you did to those poor girls? I have proof.” I slam a single photo down onto his wounded thigh.
To my shock, he doesn’t scream in pain this time. He just stares at the evidence on his lap, eyes bulging, breathing shallow. The photo of the girl he did awful things to. “Her name is Elssie, but you know that. She’s a brave one. Stronger than the others. When I told her what I planned on doing to you, she told me everything I needed to know. It’s too bad I won’t be able to take my time.”
As soon as I found out Carl planned on leaving the country for a few months, I knew I had to act fast. It was either this morning or waiting several months, breaking my silent promise to the girl who couldn’t defend herself.
My phone vibrates in my pocket. I haphazardly shove a gag in Carl’s mouth before fishing it out. A small smile plays on my lips as I answer, bringing the phone up to my ear.
“Blackwood,” I say by way of greeting.
“Sir, is everything okay?” Damn. His voice. So beautiful and calm, like a fucking angel sent to tempt the devil.
“Mmm,” I hum, basking in his concern. Carl is thrashing, trying desperately to seek help by making as much noise as possible.
Peyton pauses. “I texted you several times… and your coffee is getting cold.” Warmth fills my chest. Even though my assistanthas only said a few words, a range of emotions can be heard in his tone. Sarcasm. Irritation. Worry.
Fuck. When was the last time someone worried about me? Other than my mother, my uncle, and Hunter, that is.
There’s no use arguing, and I sure as hell wasn’t explaining what I’m doing with a bleeding man tied to a chair. Peyton has been my assistant for years, and not once have I ever been late without informing him first. Not to mention, Peyton is around me all day at work. I’m pretty sure he knows when I’m lying. I might not let him see this dark side of me, but he’s seen everything else.
“I’m fine, Peyton,” I answer honestly.
“But, sir, your meeting with the Sinclair Group. I’m going to have to reschedule, and I know how long you’ve wanted to set this up. Not to mention—”
“Thank you for checking on me,” I say softly, letting my emotions bleed into the words.
Peyton sucks in a deep breath. I’m usually cold and efficient with my words. Sharp and to the point. But there’s something about my assistant that makes my walls come down. It’s also why he can’t ever see the real me. The one whose evil pit of blackness grows with every kill.
If I’m darkness personified, then Peyton is the sun.
Carl continues to scream behind his gag until he’s able to spit it out.
“I’ll be there in two hours,” I say quickly. “See what you can do about the Sinclair meeting.” I hang up before Carl can get a full scream out.
“Please. Please, Mavik,” Carl begs, already sounding defeated. He knows it’s a losing battle. “My wife. My daughter. They depend on me.” Sometimes, at moments like this, I wonder if the terms psychopath or sociopath fit, because I feel nothing when these fuckers beg. But I know that isn’t true. The first timeI killed, I threw up, but it didn’t mean my rapist father didn’t deserve to die.
I feel remorse, compassion, and love. I feel all kinds of emotions…too many, honestly. I’m just conditioned to turn them off when I need to.
Tugging my mask free from my back pocket, I place it over my face and angle the camera before flicking it on. Carl’s gaze travels up to my mask, and his eyes bulge. It must be a terrifying sight because his screams become shrill.
Thanks to our truly unfortunate lack of time, I quickly slash a clear plastic bag through the air and cover Carl’s sweaty head with a satisfying whoosh. I take a moment to enjoy his screams as he thrashes around, struggling against his ropes, until all he can do is suffocate as he desperately tries to suck air into his lungs.
When his body finally falls slack, I smile, kicking the chair over with a loud crack to the floor.It’s been too damn long.
Another one down.
And three more to go. I peer down at the dead body on the floor as a sense of calmness washes over me.
It started with revenge, but now it’s an obsession.
Chapter two
Peyton Chase
Iblink down at the phone, lips parted with shock. Did my boss have a…special guest with him? The unmistakable sounds of moans and grunts echo in my mind like a broken record. Mavik Blackwood doesn’t have hookups. So, who the fuck did I just hear on the other end of the phone?
Unexpected jealousy grips me as I remain frozen in his office, my phone still firmly in my grasp. My mind bounces from scenario to scenario, from faceless body to body as they writhe in pleasure underneath him. The thought is so unexpected, I can’t even imagine whether it’s a man or a woman.
