Page 6 of Her Reckoning
I try to remember back to when the Andrea Family Farm was where everyone went for fall festivities. They had a pumpkin patch and corn maze, but I never met the owner as a child. Then one year, everyone stopped talking about it and the festivities were moved to AJ Farm Fest on the other end of the rural space. AJ throws the best Halloween bashes and is known for splitting the profits of the parties with mental health non-profits in the area. My brain processes the new information about the place where I grew up before nodding and squeezing his hand so he can continue the story.
“One night, Gio went over to check on the family investment and heard the threats that Andrea was slurring to the children. The final nail in the coffin was when she threw a full water bottle at the child’s head and he flinched but didn’t move. Later, it was discussed that he knew if he dodged the first attempt, she would double the punishments until one stuck. As a result, the family buried her under the barn in the cement, we took the property, and we sent the kids to loving homes where they got therapy anda second chance.” He finishes the story as we drive through the gates. The farm looks different in the light. You can tell that the property has been unkempt, but barely.
A tall stocky man wearing dark jeans and a black fitted T-shirt is standing outside of the barn with a bag next to his feet. His piercing green eyes find us with a twinkle and a smirk. Zo kills the engine and we open our doors to join him. I step out and walk over to the trunk to walk with Zo as he hands over the incriminating things that I inherited.
“I promise that the files will be input into the system and your privacy is a top priority for us. We, as a family, apologize that we missed his predilections and did not handle the situation ourselves,” Less says with a stern look on his face. Zo grabs the bag of food that looks heavy enough to feed an army before he shakes hands with Less.
“Thank you, your discretion is appreciated more than you can know.” I step closer to him, extending my hand to shake his in a proper greeting.
“We will be binge-watching serial killer shows and discussing the better ways we could do things while enjoying this feast. You know how to reach me, but don’t need me until Monday morning when she needs to go to work,” Zo tells him as we walk back to the car. Once both doors are shut and the food is secured in the backseat we head back toward my apartment.
“Don’t worry, Kitten, I plan on spending the weekend ravishing you while we critique other killers,” Zo promises me.
7
Chapter 7
Kat
“The truth often sparks hope but can also ignite misery.”
The weekend was a dream, and being back at my desk today does not live up to the incredible time that I had. Today has been very typical for a Monday in the office, including a lot of service mail and calendaring the new cases. This morning was beautiful, waking up in his arms is something that a girl can get used to. Zo packed my lunch this morning before I went off to work and kissed me goodbye. The last hour of the day drags on as I watch the clock because I have a new target promised to me… I finalize the last project project of the day, enjoying the peace and quiet without Arthur in the office.
I drive home on autopilot with a jolt of excitement in my veins for tonight’s project knowing that I do not have to sneak into the house. Instead, I get to have him delivered to a space so I can play as much as I want. While I need to follow my routine forafter work and feed Potato, I am more eager than normal. The apartment feels empty without Zo even as Potato makes himself known. I open a can of tuna and set it on the counter while petting him and giving him a little bit of love before I grab my bag and wait for the text that it’s time.
TEXT MESSAGE:
FROM: Pussy Tamer
Message: We are ready for you, beautiful.
After reading the message, I quickly walk to the door with my go-bag in hand and a smile on my face. The ride to the farm is freeing and the roads are peaceful as I find my way closer to him and the kill. When I pull into my parking space in front of the barn, I see that Zo is standing there with a smile on his face. I turn off my bike and dismount it to find my man.
“Beautiful killer, there you are. I have a few errands to run but I will meet you in a couple of hours,” He promises and pulls me into his arms.
“Perfect. I don’t much care for an audience but my house feels empty without you in it,” I respond, burying my face in his shirt as I slip my hands underneath to feel his warm skin.
“Would you and Potato consider moving in with me? I know that it seems fast, but I have spent over a year falling for you from afar. I understand that there are parts of your life that are yours alone, but legally my record is spotless, so it shouldn’t cause conflicts for your job,” He asks as he places a kiss on my crown. I look up to meet his eyes, finding the sincerity in his words and my heart leaps in my chest. Before I am able to answer the question, he kisses me. “Think about it. I’ll keep an eye on the camera and see you later.”
I walk into the barn and find the asshole that I have been hunting for years, Josh, who was best friends with my stepfatherand trafficked my best friend. He has been out of reach for years and I have not been able to find him on my own, but Zo found him as a present for me. Josh is coming to as I assess the wall of tools to inflict any pain I can imagine. From saws and drills to nail guns and pliers, all the options bring a smile to my face.
“Where… Am… I?” he coughs out before finding me in the room. His eyes show his initial confusion, given the decade since we last saw one another, and then he toughens his exterior and smirks.
“I guess you could say Kat’s got my tongue. You grew up well,” he quips. I can feel the disgusted tingle in my spine as it finds its way to the surface. When we were younger, Courtney and I were the best of friends from the same background who both thought that Josh was cute and charming as an older man. If only we knew. He was responsible for trafficking her, and ultimately her death, and he thinks he can charm his way out of this.
“Today, you are going to tell me who was involved in the trafficking of Courtney, and every time you make me uncomfortable, I will shoot you non-fatally with a nail gun,” I respond as I reach for the makeshift weapon to ensure it’s ready. I see his muscles tighten in my peripheral vision. He clamps his mouth shut, thinking through his next words.
“Kat, you know me. I didn’t do anything that you can prove to your little attorney bosses.” He spits out the words with venom in his voice. Without hesitation, I press the tip of the nail gun into the top of his foot and pull the trigger. As it plunges its way through his flesh he releases a panicked scream.
“Oh,snap,” I feign shock at his dismay. Poor baby, I warned him of the consequences of his actions and he wanted to fuck around and find out. When he finally stops squealing, I place my free hand on my hip in absolute disapproval and raise my eyebrow. I pause to give him a moment to provide me with theanswers that I am seeking before I inflict more pain. 3…2…1… I place the tip of the nail gun on his shoulder right at the joint and pull the trigger again. He fights the restraints so hard that his handscrackle.
My laughter echoes in the space as his pained screams eb, adrenaline pushing him through the pain. He is seething and covered in sweat as I work his system to the limit of what it can take. Finally, he looks at me and shakes his head in defiance causing me to grab his middle finger and pull it back until itpops.
TEXT MESSAGE:
FROM: Pussy Tamer
Message: You look so fucking powerful right now, I could cum just from the feed.
