Page 61 of The Silent Night Stalker
“We killed him last night. He’s lying in his own pool of blood, trussed up like a Christmas present under the Christmas tree. Constantine’s so sweet. Mario admitted what he’d done without a bit of fucking remorse.” I smirk and raise a brow. “Oh, but he did beg for his life and tried to bribe me for it. Life for a life. Blood for blood. Right,Halcón?”
“I-I don’t believe you.”
“Yes, you do. Besides, you can easily verify it when you send someone to Mario’s home.”
Alfonzo looks out his window, his body tight, and his jaw clenched hard enough to break molars. No doubt he’s assessing his chances of escaping me. And when he does, he’ll find a way to make me die painfully. But I won’t let that happen.
When he finally turns back to me, he asks, “What do you want?”
“I want you dead, but what I want more is for you to allow Constantine and me to leave Chicago and leave us the fuck alone for good. Oh, I can tell by your facial expression that you want usdead, but you don’tneedus dead. You can tell everyone that we are, if you need to maintain your control.” I chuckle and stare out the window as the sun gets higher and higher. More boats are dotting the water. I can’t imagine wanting to be on the lake in the dead of winter. “Anyway, you’re already losing your grip on your power. Eventually, the Da Costas will push you out or outright kill you. You made a mistake when you made a deal with them. That makes you weak. Eventually, this family will see that.”
“And if I don’t let you go?”
“Ha! I’m sorry, do you not see the barrel of my gun? I am not a killer, but really, I have no problem taking your life. It’s weird. I’m really calm about this—dead set in my choices. And you have choices too. Die, or let us go and leave us the fuck alone. And I mean it. You cannot come after us, or Iwillreturn and hunt you down. Or I’ll just sic Constantine on you. He’s the true killer around here. More than you or Mario ever hoped to be.”
I have to play it up that Constantine is sinister and not some damn needy twink. Okay, a needy twink that you can’t help but adore.
I can see it in Alfonzo’s eyes that he’s suddenly curious about Constantine. He wants to ask, but he’d rather be a defiant prickhead.
“Constantine is the serial killer everyone’s been looking for these past five years. Oh, and he’s killedwaymore than five people, too. Twenty at least. He may not look like much, but he’s intelligent and tricky. Deadly. He nearly killed me, and you see how big I am compared to him. I was his target recently. But he couldn’t resist me and fell in love instead. You see, he’ll do fuckinganythingfor me. Even murder. And I will do anything to protect him. What do you think about that,Halcón?”
He eyes the gun that is still steady in my hand and aimed right at his head. Oh, he wants me dead so badly. I bet he regrets listening to his wife about not having guards around their home now.
Alfonzo’s eyes dart over at the counter where his phone is resting, and I know instantly what he plans to do.
Just as he stands and rushes to his phone, I’m ready. I reach him just in time before he grabs his phone, and I take a fistful of his hair. I yank him back and down to the ground before I press the gun to his head.
“Tsk. Naughty. Naughty. Do you really want to die, Halcón? You may be in charge, but at the end of the day, I’m the one with the weapon. I’m the one who’s stronger than you. I hold all the cards. Right now, I’m giving you more of a choice than I gave Mario, only because he pulled the trigger.”
I press my foot to his throat hard enough to turn his face red and make him gasp for air. “Tick-tock. Do you want to die or let us go?”
When I shove my foot down harder, he wheezes, desperately trying to remove it, but he has no leverage or strength.
I ease up, and he glares at me. “Fine,” he rasps. “Fuck you! Go. Get the fuck out of my house and out of my sight. I never want to see you again.”
“Good choice. If I see anyone trying to find us, they’ll return home in pieces. Then I’ll be coming for you. That’s a promise.”
I tuck the gun back into the holster and leave his penthouse. It’s time to get back to my guy and quickly pack up and leave this city. Maybe Constantine and I can move somewhere sunny and warm.
Chapter 23
Constantine
Iboltuprightinbed, groggy and looking around to find the bed empty. Something woke me up. I glance at the clock, which reads just after eight in the morning. The sun is streaming through Enzo’s curtains as I’m trying to figure out where Enzo went and what woke me up.
It was probably him. He woke up and is getting ready for the day. That has to be it.
I stretch in bed and yawn. That’s when I noticed the note on the small nightstand. I pick it up and read it.
Little Bird,
I don’t want to wake you because I don’t want you to stop me. I’m off to face Alfonzo. We need to have words. It’s the only way to keep you safe. I’ll be back soon.
XOXO
Enzo
I smile at the symbol of hugs and kisses. Still, I’m mad at him for going. Now I’ll just worry.
