Slice (The Elledge Family #1) (22 page)

“Tell me about your exes,” Shia’s conversation with me had a million and one question in my head.

“What about them love? What would you like to know?”

“Why are three of them dead?”

“Because they are.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I mean it is unfortunate, but people die every day.”

“You know there are some people around campus that say you done it.”

“I didn't do anything. I mean they were sluts, but I would not wish them dead.” Lucas’ eyes never left the television. “Why would you even bring this up? Did fucking Shia come over and fill your head with her gossip and shit.”

“I've heard rumors about it. Shia had nothing to do with it.” Shia and Lucas were not close. He tolerated her because she was the closest thing that I had to family here. And she tolerated him because she had to, so they were close but hated each other. It was evident.

“Well, forget them and don't pay them any mind. And tell Shia to keep my bloody name out of her gossip filled mouth. People always speculate when they have no real answer to it. The police don't have a suspect in any of those murders and that's their fault. They should work harder. If they wanted to truly catch the killer, they would stop investing their time in me. And you should think about making new friends.”

“Were you not sad about any of their murders? Are you not sad that someone that you spent time with sexually, physically and mentally is dead?”

“I was for one. But I hadn't seen these girls in years. Why would I care? Why do you care?”

“People have told me to be careful around you and that you are bad news.”

“Who? Who are these people?” Lucas stared at me from the living room as he silenced the television. “Please tell me who they are so they can say all this shit they say to you to my bloody face.”

“Shia,” I whispered, “some others too.”

“Well, tell her to kiss my ass. I don't have shit to bloody hide. I would never hurt you and she should be worried about her crippling relationship with my brother rather than my exes and this relationship.”

“Okay,” I felt the need to change the subject before everything got out of hand. “What do you want for dessert?”

“I'm actually not hungry.” He walked to the bedroom and returned with his shirt. “I'll be back shortly.”

Asher

I hated I had to watch Lucas, but the agent had made sure that I reported to him daily. More importantly, Mark had made sure that I reported to him. I barely knew who I should report to. Lucas was highly temperamental. The only person that could calm him was Mark and he had kept his distance in the past few weeks. He only appeared when he was needed. I watched the empty loft and clicked through my phone. I had ordered a lock pic set to get into the apartment. He was gone and so was Mark. I could get in unnoticed through the back fire escape entrance. Perhaps if I got a sneak peek into his home I could get more into his mind. I walked lightly on the steps and got to the third floor where the entrance was. I wiggled the lock pick and unlocked the door. His apartment was a shit ton better than mine. The furniture screamed money and so did the stainless steel appliances.

I made my way through his books and pulled out his photo album. The large leather bound book fell in my lap and I flipped through the pages admiring his mother. Luna was a stunning woman. I snapped a picture with my cell phone. I passed a picture of a baby. M. on the bottom. I snap it and turn the page… and there is another one there. A. I snap it as well and then move to the bedroom. I sift through his drawers. There was nothing there but a small journal. I flipped open to the middle of the leather journal and scan the pages.

June, 28
^th

I feel like I am alone in more than one way. This need tends to grow darker and darker and every time I try to stop it...It comes back with vengeance. It's the highest point of happiness for me.

June 29
^th

It happened today. The urge, my father was a better man at this than me, my impulses over power my common sense, all I see is red and all I know is blood. And I feel nothing.

August 14
^th

I think I met my Savior and I call her Cypress.

I nodded my head, perhaps she could be his savior. I closed the book and snapped pictures of the entire apartment. The apartment was clean. It was so clean it made me wondering if he had hidden something more. I sat on his bed and closed my eyes. What the hell was I doing here? I pushed my hands through my hair and the outside door creaked.

“Lucas!”

I peered downstairs and it was Persephone. She sat down on the plush looking couch and grabbed a magazine. She looked like she had been here before. I walked down the steps. “What are you doing here?”

“Uhm waiting on Lucas? Who the hell are you?” Her head turned and the flow of loose brown curls whipped.

“I...” I paused. “Don't need you to tell him I was here.”

“What were you doing here?”

“Just looking for something.” I stared at her. “What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to surprise him.” Persephone opened her jacket and revealed her bare chest. “I think I can talk him out of Cypress.”

“Best to work him up downstairs Hun.” I paused. “He could get mad with you breaking and entering.”

“You were here first. I thought he was already home.”

“Go downstairs and find him then lure him up.” Perhaps if he denied her downstairs, she would not end up drained on the floor. She rolled her shoulders. “I don't think he will notice me.”

“Well, maybe it's a blessing in disguise.” I said.

“No, it's not. I've wanted him for years and he won't even look at me.”

My eyes rolled accidentally. I hated redundancy more than I hated her whining. “Well, you are a looker. Maybe he's gay?”

“Maybe… but he has Cypress.”

“Cypress is nice. I mean you can get anyone.”

She turned her head at me. “I can't get him.” She snapped. “Look leave and I won't tell anyone that you were here.” She smiled.

“Perfect,” I slid my phone in my pocket as I made my way to the exit. “Be careful.”

“I will.”

I looked over all the photos I took and paused on the kids. They were both babies. But my father never said anything about Luna having kids. There was only Lucas and he thrived off being the only one left.

I dialed my father's number and drove into town so that I wouldn't linger around his place. The feds in the cars had seen me break and enter and they had said nothing. Maybe I could go rogue and just break in everywhere.

My father answered on the third ring. “It's midnight here. I pray that you have a valid reason for calling me.” He moaned.

“Yeah, what do you know about the kids that Luna had?”

“What kids?” He said puzzled. “She had Lucas.”

“And two other ones, perhaps they were stillborn. I guess I can check into it.”

“Why?” He snapped.

“Because it could mean something towards her feeling towards Lucas. Declan could have made her have a stillborn child. I mean… have you looked into him? I know she married three or four times before him.”

“I think my angle with her has been construed. I think Declan is the killer... or was the killer.”

“Why would you think that?” I knew exactly why he thought it. I had figured out more than a month ago that his father had more traits and more behavior patterns than the mother. The mother just wanted to protect her son and husband, and it didn’t matter to her how she has done it.

“Because he had more of the traits pertaining to being a psychopath. She seemed normal.”

“I don't know.” I paused. “Could you do me a favor and see what you can pull on the kids?”

“Yeah, send me the picture.”

“Awesome,” I smiled. “I'll let you sleep. Call me when you get up.”

“Yeah, I will. And are you being safe?”

“Yes, damn dude.” I laughed. “I will talk to you later on.” I ended the phone call and stared at the pictures. There had to be something more. Why would Luna keep the pictures of children that were not hers?

Lucas

The Summit had a rather large crowd for the night. There were tons that I needed to do. Mark was a madman when it came to numbers for profit and I had not yet even prepared the reports for him. His money was his obsession which was fine by me. I liked making money and the place basically ran itself with the good manager.

“Have you printed out the reports for me Kasey?”

“Not yet, there are some people crowding the bar. I was gonna help her for the moment and then bring them to you.”

“Just let her be.” I paused. “Bring me the papers and then could you make sure that there is another bartender on schedule for tonight. If there isn't then you should go ahead and get in getting someone else in for the night.” I looked over my desk. “Bring me a Jack and Coke with the report.”

She turned on her heel, “Anything else?”

“Yeah,” I winked. “Smile for God's Sake… you could be flipping burgers.”

“Yeah.” She grimaced as she left the cold office.

I had to learn some control. I took out my pencil and a scratch piece of paper. Controlling my urge was harder than I wanted to admit. If I could learn control, then there was a possibility that I could live a more than normal life. The light tap on the door was barely audible with the music booming on the other side.

“Come in.” I yelled.

The door opened and closed in seconds, sending another cold breeze towards me. “Busy?”

I looked up at Persephone. She was beautiful. Much like her namesake, her curls flourished as they ran down her back. I'd been so enticed with Cypress I forgot what she looked like. “Very, I hope whatever you want is important.”

“It's very important.”

I unglued my eyes from her and shrugged my shoulders. “Well then… speak woman.”

She dropped her jacket and she stood before me bare. Her perfectly round breast sat up at attention, causing me to watch the curve of her hips right down to her pussy. I found myself captured. I placed my pencil down on the table and cut my eyes up to hers. “Damn...”

“I know you have Cypress...”

I nodded my head. “Yeah.”

“But I can show you… that there is better out there.” She swayed her hips to the beat of music from the other room. “Can I show you...”

“Put your jacket on.” My tone was low.

“Lucas...”

“Now.” I snapped.

“Okay...” She slid her dress on and turned towards the door.

“Let's dance.” I mumbled. I moved to the door and led her out to the dance floor. The dim lights made it perfect for what I had in mind… The music was alluring… slow. I grabbed her by the hips and ground lightly against her. My hands clasped over her body and I could feel her thrusting herself on me.   “What do you want from me?” I whispered.

“A chance,” she said back.

“At what?”

“You...”

I slid my hand into the jacket and my fingers danced around the folds of her pussy. She was drenched. “I can give you that.” I heard a moan escape her mouth as I pushed my middle finger deeper into her. She stood on her tip toes and my other a room wrapped her in security as I was working to drive her to the point of insanity. Her thighs clenched at each thrust and then I withdrew and placed my finger in her mouth. “Taste yourself...” Her tongue grazed my finger. “Good girl… Upstairs…?”

“Yes,” she answered.

“Good.” I grabbed her soft hands, leading her to the elevator. I pressed my pin in and watched the elevators open. “Are you sure?” I said. The doors closed and the elevator lifted from the shaft.

“Yes.” She smiled.

I tossed her back against the elevator wall and hit the stop button. “When we get up here… lose the jacket and wait for me upstairs…”

“Okay.” Persephone nodded her head. The excitement bled out of her eyes.

When arrived she had done as directed. Persephone walked upstairs and stripped back down to nothing. I followed her up and stared at her. “I want to do so much to you. I don't know where to start.” I whispered.

“Start here...” she pushed her finger into herself and licked her lips slowly.

“That could be a good place... Don't speak again.” I growled. She pretended to zip her mouth shut and tossed the key aside. My eyes wonder her body. “Good.” I toss my shirt to the ground and climb in bed with her. My hands touch her stomach lightly. “You are soft.” I touch her neck softly. And my eyes see the picture of Cypress and I. She turns it face down before I can think. “Let's start… Undress me.”

Persephone's hands traveled up my body unzipping my pants and pulling the down. My boxers followed right after. Her eyes grew wide when I finally set free.