Killer Love - Ella Goode Page 0,14
I was-” He levels me with a look. Yeah, I suck at lying. “I don’t want to cause problems.”
“You’re never a problem, Angel.” He leans down to kiss me. I wrap my arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. When he pulls back I smile up at him because his mouth is a little red and swollen from our kisses. “Chad won’t be bothering you anymore.”
“But we have to work together sometimes.” If only it were so easy to avoid the man.
“You trust me?”
“You don’t ever have to ask me that.” I trust this man with my life. He thinks I’m his angel but he’s my everything.
“Then I’ll handle it.”
“Okay.” I instantly feel better, feeling silly that I didn’t say something sooner. Of course my Lucas would handle it for me. He’d do anything for me.
Chapter Eleven
Lucas
I’ve never taken a person’s life out of revenge. All of my killings have been done simply to restore balance in this world. Pedophiles, abusers, rapists don’t get the punishment they deserve. Sentences are too light. Cases are too hard to prove. Victims live in fear. That never sat right with me so I used the skills I had to make things right. I’ve never deviated from that in the past. It’s the only way I can sleep in Angel’s bed, touch her precious body, accept her love.
Chad is not a pedophile, abuser, or rapist. He’s an asshole who cheats on his taxes, his clients, and his partners. And now he’s an asshole who has made my wife feel unsafe. Is that enough to warrant his death? I lower my binoculars to my lap. I shouldn’t have to wait for him to hurt her in order to act. That seems nonsensical.
Angel’s ringtone buzzes, momentarily distracting me.
“Darling?”
“I hope I didn’t bother you. I was just going to leave a voice message.”
“Not a bother.”
“Mom called and she’s complaining that she hasn’t seen us in a week. Do you mind if we go over there tonight for dinner? She’s making your favorite--pot roast and garlic mashed potatoes.”
“What time?”
“Is six too early?”
“Perfect. I’ll stop and get a bottle of the merlot she likes.”
“Thank you. And don’t work too hard today.”
“I won’t.”
It’s mid-morning and I’ve done nothing but shadow Chad. He’s boring. When he is not playing solitaire on his computer, flirting with his secretary who isn’t interested, or accepting a blowjob from a client who washed her mouth out with Coke after the encounter and spit into the bushes outside his building, he is sleeping. I drum my fingers against the steering wheel. Can I take his life? Will the world be imbalanced if I don’t? How can I be true to my vows to Angel and allow him to continue to breathe? She doesn’t want to admit it, but he frightens her. That isn’t allowed. Not while I’m here. Is there something I can do short of killing him? A simple beating perhaps? I cheer up at the prospect. I could disfigure him and every time he looked in the mirror he would have a reminder of what happens if he disrespects Angel. As I mull over that idea, I make a few notes in my notepad and tuck it away. I need to get back to the morgue and supervise an autopsy of a young man who may or may not have taken his own life. That’s more important than Chad at the moment.
It’s nearly five when I sign off on the report. The young man had died of natural causes. His family would find some sort of peace from this, I think. I have just enough time to shower and then pick up the wine for Linda, Angel’s mother. The older woman greets me at the door with a huge smile and hug.
“Lucas. You’re here. Bill, your son is here.” She gestures for me to hurry inside.
The scent of the roasted meat and roasted garlic fills my head. “It smells delicious, Linda.”
“Well, it’s done.” She pats my back and relieves me of the wine. “Go in and sit with Bill. He’s watching the news and needs someone to listen to him argue with the anchors since Angel and I refuse to.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Bill hates politics and reporters but is addicted to both. The news is always on in the Peterson household and it’s always loud.
“Can you believe this shit?” Bill says when I step into the den. “The shit that they’re allowed to say on the air is incredible. Do they fact check anymore? Do