Page 57 of Wickedly Played
Detective Wood begins to explain what took place. “We received a call from a local that there was a dead body located in the river behind the venue you were at yesterday. We went to investigate, and the woman’s body-” Wood stops himself before giving me a cautionary glance.
“Please continue,” I encourage. “I need to know what happened.”
He sucks in a breath. “The woman was brutally raped, and it is expected that she died from the assault. However, when we found her, she was facedown in the river with a heavy branch on her back.”
“Fuck!” Jim stutters out.
Bill begins to pace the room with anxiety coursing through him. “I can’t believe this happened at one of my events. This is insane,” he mutters.
Max sits next to me with his fingertips reaching out to touch my thigh. I fight the urge to lean into him for the comfort he would provide for me. I know it would make me feel better, but I can’t let myself fall into that trap again. It's clear to me that I’m just a job to him.
For once in my life, I would like to be more than an object to someone. I want to be more than the trophy someone tries to win.
“Are there any suspects?” I whisper.
Wood shakes his head. “We are pulling video feeds around the area. So far, there isn’t much to go on. The suspect was wearing a hooded sweatshirt.”
“Okay, thank you,” I murmur. “I’m going to get ready. Please let me know if there's anything else you need from me. Jim can answer questions on my behalf.”
Max’s hand grabs my wrist to turn me to face him. I shake my head at him. I can’t do this right now. Having this conversation with Max regarding feelings is not going to go anywhere. I don’t even know if he has feelings.
ME: Hey, want to go to dinner?
STELLA: Of course. What time?
ME: Let’s plan for 2 hours. I’ll meet you at Le Chet.
STELLA: Mistress, are you trying to seduce me?
ME: All it takes is a fancy dinner to get in between your thighs?
STELLA: Haha. Don’t tell Deacon
ME: Tell me more at dinner
STELLA: See you soon, Mistress
After I have showered, done my hair, and slipped on one of my jumpsuits, I’m ready to leave. I did my makeup lightly, andnow I’m going to have a good time with Stella. I need to discuss what's been happening with Max over the past couple of weeks.
Chapter Twenty-Three
STALKER
Meredith had been the perfect date. We had taken a couple of shots together, made out, and then we went to sober up outside before I took her home. Unfortunately, Meredith didn’t know I was never going to take her home. She also didn’t realize that she would never go home again.
Once we’ve made it near the river, she turns to wink at me. “You’re very handsome. I can’t believe you were all alone tonight,” she murmurs seductively.
“Come here,” I command. My finger is moving up and down to get her to hurry. Once she’s in front of me, my hand wraps around her narrow neck. She squeaks to get me to lighten up, but I squeeze tighter. I see the exact second her fear trickles in, and my dick hardens in my pants.
“That’s right,” I taunt. Her body goes limp against me, causing me to drop her onto the ground. “Let’s see what’s under your little dress, shall we?”
Fully satisfied, I look at Meredith’s unconscious body beneath me. I pull my pants up, buckle my belt, and then kick her in the side to make sure she’s dead. I felt the moment she passed while I was inside of her.That is truly spank bank material.
Meredith was everything I needed tonight. She was a close second to Serena. I’m so fucking pissed off at Serena. Why hasn’t she come to see reason yet? Why hasn’t she realized I’m the one she wants?
“I’m sorry it had to come to this,” I tell the lifeless body. “But we need to get rid of you and the evidence.”
I grab her by her hair, tug her down to the riverbank, and kick her into the water. She splashes a little with a satisfying thud. I know I need to hurry this up, as people will soon be looking for the waitress who has gone missing.
