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Be careful.

Will do. Safe travels.

On my laptop, I pull up the file on my newest flower.

Charles Anderson. Charlie, to the men at his club. A svelte forty-three-year-old with looks that probably would deem him a silver fox, if I didn’t know he also has a propensity for drugging and raping women. It’s amazing; the reports against him have yet to tarnish his pristine position as a business mogul in the community. I’m sure the thousands of dollars donated to the police chief had nothing to do with it. At least it looks like I won’t have to go slumming while I get to know him better.

His favorite spot is an upscale bar in the city. Once I have enough information gathered on him, I close the laptop and head upstairs to prepare for tonight.

Slipping into my skimpy, but elegant black dress, I comb the long black wig I picked for the occasion. The silky black strands frame my face perfectly. My light skin is seemingly seeped of all warmth due to the stark contrast, which causes my red lips to pop with a vibrancy I haven’t otherwise been able to achieve. Throwing one arm on my hip and the other out before me, I give the most perfect Morticia Addams impression ever witnessed in the mirror.

This wig will be destroyed after this obviously, but I should get one chance to wear it, just for fun. Light from the floor lamp behind me arcs across the mirror as it crashes to the ground like a felled tree. A gray ball of fur darting out of the room leaves no question as to how the lamp tipped over. When I reach down to pick up the lamp, a yellow slip of paper catches my eye. I unfold the note, and the words across the page seize my chest like a vise.

Sorry to leave you so early, my darling. You were sleeping so peacefully, it seemed a shame to wake you. I will be gone a few days. I’ll be back the moment I’m done.

P.S. Try not to get into any trouble while I’m gone, please. – E

Warmth spreads through my body. A simple little letter from him, but a great treasure to me. Placing the note in the jewelry box on top of my dresser, I head downstairs.

Twenty minutes later, I step out of my car onto the dark street. The clicking of my heels echoes along the walls of the buildings lining the street. The calm rhythmic pattern soothes my nerves, helping me to focus on the task at hand. Each strike of my heels sends a thought slicing through my mind. The sound of footsteps shuffling in the darkness has my steps faltering. A chill traces my spine. Unease settles in my chest.

I turn on my heel, strung for violence, only to be met with the light glow of a streetlight deep in the darkness. The sharpness of my thoughts dull as the feeling of wrongness slowly slips around the edges. My senses heighten but strain against the city sounds echoing off the pavement. I cast my gaze toward the building, scanning each window. Besides the odd reflection of a tree—nothing. No movement. No sounds. Cautiously, I resume my march to the warehouse.

Pushing the door to the warehouse open, my eyes fall on the beautiful black BMW i5 waiting for me. I smile at my nice upgrade from the last car. Javi…what a kind man. I knew I liked him. Reaching under the driver’s side door, I remove the keys from the magnetic box and slide onto the soft leather. Turning the key, my ears are greeted with the unmistakably smooth melody only produced by the best engines. I press a button on the fob and wait for the door to open.

When I roll out of the warehouse, a sense of rightness settles over me as I head out into the night, primed for my hunt.

Pulling up to the large awning of the bar, I place the keys in the valet’s hands with a coy smile. Standing at the entrance of the club, it takes a moment for me to adjust to the absence of light. Black tiles line the walls and ceiling. Modern but cold. Blue geometric lines of light run the length of the bar. The perfect place for the city’s elite to indulge in the darker side of their nature. I hate every piece of it. An empty table in the corner of the bar catches my eye, and I begin wandering through the sea of tables. The entire place is littered with various couples and groups of people. All very flashy. All dressed in their high-end suits or holding two-thousand-dollar handbags.

I slide into a seat at an empty table, take my phone out, and scroll through various pages, mirroring the other singles scattered at nearby tables. A waitress takes my order. I settle on a bourbon drink without much thought. It had ginger in it which was enough to get my vote. A few minutes later, she places the drink in front of me with a smile. Taking a sip, I’m pleasantly surprised. The carbonation of the ginger ale brings out the smokiness of the bourbon without being overly sweet.

Now…Charlie shouldn’t be that hard to find. As I lift the glass to my lips for another sip, I spot my target walking into the bar from a back room.

Silver fox is right. What’s worse, he knows it.

Smiling, I move to the bar to order a different drink. A shy smile is all that’s needed to pull him into an introduction. I spend the next hour chatting and flirting. Laying a bit of foundation for the next visit. Hopefully, next time, it won’t take so long. Nothing’s worse than having everything in place, only to be rushed into finishing because of the sun’s unwelcome arrival.

As I step through the doorway of my house, my stress eases slightly.

Gerald bounces into the foyer with exuberance. In his haste, he loses his footing and slides into the wall near the door. His ridiculous greeting immediately improves my mood. I pick him up, and he nestles into the crook of my arm like the perfect fuzzy potato he is. His calm energy wanes as I get closer to the bedroom door. He leaps from my arms onto the bed and begins tearing a trail along the comforter from one side to the other. Letting out a laugh, I head over to the bathroom and remove the disguise. After a quick shower, I opt for a sweatshirt and shorts. I have no one to impress tonight.

Walking over to the dresser, I pick up my phone—no notifications yet. My gaze drifts to the light switch on the wall. I look over at Gerald, who is perched on the pillows. I walk over to the switch and flick it three times. He spins in a circle on the pillow, clearly applauding my actions. Most likely amused that I’m being trained like Pavlov’s dog. My phone rings, and I look down to see Ethan’s name appear across the screen.

I tap the screen to pick up the call.

“Yes…” I say, with a bite of playfulness in my tone.

“She listens and learns, I see…”

“I thought you were supposed to be out of town?”

“Mmmm. Come to the window.”

My feet take three quick steps forward before my mind catches up. Telling myself to calm the eagerness surging inside me, I slow my steps. Opening the curtains, I peer out into the street. Soft light from the streetlamp casts a sheen across the empty asphalt. My eyes dart through the shadows in search of any movement. Every branch remains still, every bush steady. Finally, I’m forced to ask for assistance.

“Come into the street where I can see you.” I don’t bother hiding the thrill of excitement lifting my voice. He breathes out a sigh, and a small nagging feeling starts to take root in my chest.

“I would if I could, darling…”