Selene's grip tightened around the steering wheel, turning her knuckles white.
She woke up in a jerk when Keir called her precisely at 6:47 AM, asking her to meet him at the sent location. He claimed that it's the best time to have a chat about their deal, in his words.
Irrespective of her protests he stood headfast that they meet up before the Downtown is awake. And obviously, it was followed by him threatening to kill Haden.
She had to wobble up to her car in the morning, from the lack of sleep. A double shot of espresso she had just now didn't make amends to the week long shit she's been through.
It was almost a week and half since she met Keir and yet she was nowhere near being far away from him. She couldn't read him like other potential killers and sociopaths that roam around her everyday.
He is sweet and charming one minute then the next one he tears someone's guts out. For a psychopath, he is really good at showing emotions. If she didn't see him in action, she wondered if she could've guessed him being one.
Now that she is going to make a deal, not that she had any choice, she might see more of his actions.
Sexual may be? Her subconscious mind retorted.
She hit the steering wheel with her palm trying to stop the obscene thoughts that her mind fictionated. But still her mind stroll back to when they danced or approached each other in the club.
His hands were all over her and his heavy breaths from behind were something she is well accustomed to. The way he traced his fingers along-
"Holy spirit of demon!" She cursed and shut her eyes for a second.
As nice as the dance in the club felt, he had to ruin it by slitting Greg's trunk and gutting out his viscera.
Now that she thought of it, it sounds awfully deranged and there's no excuse for her to think of him in the way she is now.
Keir should terrify her, he does but not enough to cower in fear and stay the fuck away from him. She watched him kill three people in warm blood and just in a week. Who knows how many he killed later when no one's watching.
Selene is desensitised to violence and deaths. Growing up watching murders and being around deaths might do that for you but it is still not an excuse to play monopoly with the most wanted serial killer in the state.
"Your destination is on the right," Her navigation in the phone announced as soon as she reached the location that Keir sent.
A silent colony of suburban houses came into her view. The street was vacant except for the stray dogs roaming around.
Downtown is not a cheerful town with people waking early in the morning and taking strolls for fresh air. It's filled with people who are big shots that take cover in this town, and criminals that are practically untouchable by the law enforcement.
Law, police and government don't work here. Downtown has its own rules, one that are made by its residents themselves.
Killing the non criminal residents is forbidden. Cops should not poke their nose in Downtown's crime businesses unless they have a share in it. If they do, the consequences are fatal. Lastly, everyone should mind their own business and deals.
There's an unspoken quote, 'We all are criminals so let's not jeopardise our brotherhood.'
Most of the deals happen late in the night so obviously no one is awake at this time of the hour. Keir must have known that already so he suggested to meet now.
"How long are you planning to stay there?" Keir's husky voice interrupted her memory trip.
"Huh?" She turned to him confused.
He stood behind her with his arms crossed over his chest and an amused smile. His eyes still held the sharpness that was enough to cut through the fog around them.
"Come on in," He waved his hand inside.
She got out of the car and followed him into the house. She tried her best not to check out his ass. Lack of sleep was getting to her mind, she didn't have any control of it.
He wore a charcoal grey jogger with a navy blue tee that hugged his muscles like second skin. This made her conscious about her appearance.
"Have a seat."
She sat on one of the plush chairs around the table in the living room. Her eyes roamed around, taking in the view of the house. It had a nice homely touch to it and quite different from what she had in mind.
"Would you like to have something?" He asked her, making his way to the kitchen.
Selene made her way to the small wooden artifacts that were decorated along the shelves beside the TV.
"Yeah, anything hot," She answered while gazing at the decorations with keen interest.
She realised a moment later how stupid she must have sound. She turned to him with an open surprised mouth, he was already giving her a smirk.
"Coffee," She blurted, "I meant, coffee."
He nodded smiling to himself, "Sure."
"It's a pretty decent house you've got here," Selene said to him walking towards the kitchen.
"Is that judgement I hear in your voice?" Keir asked, pouring the coffee in the cups.
Selene shrugged, "To be honest, I expected something else."
He walked over her, handing her a cup, "Yeah? Like dead bodies hanging by the chains, blood flowing like rivers, screams of anguish and pain, smell of death and cobwebs in the corners?"
She shook her head at his sarcasm and took a sip of the coffee, hiding her small smile behind it.
She nodded, "Yeah, but I didn't imagine cobwebs," She smirked, controlling her smile.
He laughed at her remark, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He looked so relaxed and burdenless. His laugh was genuine and came from the heart.
Selene couldn't help but smile back in return. They took their seats in the living room again.
"I like suburban houses, they give out homely vibes," He said.
Selene agreed. She would love to live in one of these houses but none of the owners ever gave up the house.
"How did you find this one?" She asked curiously.
"I-uh-happened to know the owner," He said, avoiding her gaze and instead looked interested in his coffee.
"You killed the owner, didn't you?" She blurted out her theory.
He looked like a deer caught in lights and gave out a nervous laugh, "It's a funny story, actually."
"Sure, it is," She smiled amusedly at his nervousness.
"The owner's wife put this house to sale. I happened to be interested in buying it. The woman was grieving and I couldn't help but ask what's wrong. It seemed the husband passed away recently and soon when I put things together, I found out that I was the one to kill him," He shrugged regretfully.
A long silence followed after. Keir hated that silence. He didn't want to be judged for his actions especially not by her, as antisocial as he might be.
He already felt bad for devoiding the woman of her husband even though he was a chronic cheater. He didn't regret mutilating him then nor he regrets now. The only conscience that he cared for was the woman and their children, so he paid double the house cost to ease it.
Since the day he stayed in this house, he kept telling himself that the family is better off without him.
He lifted up his eyes from his cup to look at her, her eyes looked sunken and red.
"You look tired," He commented.
"Yeah, not really a morning person," She adjusted her flyovers behind her ear and smoothened the creases on her tee.
He didn't understand why she felt conscious about her appearance. She looked beautiful wearing a pair of blue jeans and a grey tee. Her thick chocolate tresses were made into a messy bun that stood tall on her head like a crown. She looked cute with a coffee cup in her hand. A book and a pair of glasses were just missing to complete the sweet nerd girl persona.
But he knew she was far from it. Now in the daylight he could appreciate the light freckles on her pinkish cheeks. She wore a lot of make up whenever he met her but now he could see her real skin colour. Her face glowed, her nose, cheeks and the chin had a pink tint.
"Shall we discuss the deal?" She broke the silence.
"Yeah," He nodded and grabbed a pen and a paper note from the table.
"So what did you mean when you said, work with you?" She asked.
"Yeah so I've been pretty active the past two weeks and as you can see I killed three men in front you and left the bodies, which was careless of me. Soon the cops will find the connection between the murders and me which I can't let happen otherwise my cover will be blown," He explained briefly.
"Okay.." Selene drawled, wondering how this is relevant to her.
"So this is where you come, everytime I kill someone I'll call you and you will help me cover the tracks. You and I, together we'll make sure that none of the deaths are traceable to us. If they find any bodies first, that is."
Selene opened her mouth to speak but none of the words came out. It was all too much for her to comprehend in this groggy state.
"So, you are asking my help in murdering?" She said after a moment.
"What? No. I'm asking you to help me cover the murder. I saw your work when I killed that wimp-"
"-Will," She interrupted.
"Yes, him," He nodded, "I was impressed by your potential. So what do you think?"
"I think that I don't have a choice so I have to agree to this."
"Marvelous -" She cut him off.
"But let me remind you, if we somehow get caught, I can easily slip through their grasp and I won't help you," Selene warned.
"Yes, perks of working with Haden. I know that. That is why you are perfect for this," He sighed relieved. Selene felt like there was something else that he was holding back.
"Now, with the negotiations," He started, "You'll be working with me for three weeks."
Selene scoffed, "The hell I would, three days."
He gave a wry laugh, "Three fucking days? Two weeks." He negotiated.
She shook her head, "Four days."
He rolled his eyes and shook his head, "A week that's final."
Selene snorted, "Fine."
"And if I like, I might extend it," He smirked.
"Hell no!"
"Alright, seems like your love for him is just a week long," He shrugged.
"Keir, this was not what you said. If I do as you asked you will leave him." Selene warned him.
He huffed and nodded begrudgingly, "Fine, agreed."
"Anything else?" He asked.
"Yes! No more killing my clients!"
"Really? Damn! That was my favourite part!" He chuckled, trying to get on her nerves.
"Yes, well I'm afraid you'd have to suffice with the others," Selene gave him a tight smile.
The next minute he got himself busy in writing down something on the paper note. She didn't take him to be an organised criminal, but then again he did hire her for that same reason.
"If that's all, can I leave now?" Selene asked, placing the cup on the table.
Keir stopped writing and looked at the wall clock, "Or you could stay and try the blueberry pancakes I've made?"
He wouldn't expect her to stay and have breakfast with him but it was worth a try.
Her blank face said it all, she was planning to make a run for the door.
He shook his head and gave a small smile," Nevermind-"
She cut him off, "Okay."
"What?" He asked, surprised.
"Only because I'm tired to drive and blueberry pancakes are my favourite," She pointed and walked over to the kitchen.
"Uh-huh, sure," He followed behind her.
"I didn't know you cook," She plopped on the bar stool near the kitchen counter.
"Then what do you think I eat? Humans? Like you said," He chuckled tying the apron around his torso.
Selene pursed her lips and nodded, "Yeah, pretty much,"
He leaned over the counter and smirked, "Well I'm sure you will be the tastiest person I've ever had," He winked and turned his attention to the batter.
Selene blushed red at his comment. She shook her head trying to control her smile.
"Shut up!" She scolded him.
Soon she got herself busy silently watching him preparing the pancakes, amusing herself with his art once again.
*****
Aww! Aren't they cute when they are planning to cover murders? 😆
Thoughts of this chapter please>>
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~Aurora.