First Kill (Heaven Sent Book 1)

by Mary Abshire

  “I brought your bag,” she said as he came around the car to meet her. “It’s in the back.”

  He continued to the tail end of the Jeep. “Have you eaten anything yet?” He opened the trunk.

  “No. I’m not hungry. I’ll probably have to get something for lunch while I’m waiting to bump into him.”

  Before he lifted his bag, he paused to appraise her. His gaze slid from her chest to her feet.

  “I’m changing my shoes later,” she said, predicting he’d have a comment to make about her sneakers.

  “You look nice, but the dress is a little short.” He removed his bag from the trunk before shutting the lid with the cup in his hand.

  She followed him to his motel room. “It’s not that short. It reaches my knees.”

  He set the bag on the ground. “He’ll stare at your legs.” He slid his hand into his pocket.

  “Yes, I know.” She crossed her arms. “I don’t like the idea, but I need to make sure he takes an interest in me. If this plan doesn’t work, then I don’t what other way for you to get to him.”

  After he unlocked the door, he reclaimed his belongings. She strolled behind him into the room and let the door close behind her. He stopped at the end of the bed and set his bag on it.

  The dim room was small, but it appeared in better condition from the dump they stayed in a few nights ago. At least this motel had a modern television. The covers on the bed had been left disheveled. Maybe he had slept naked. His clothes didn’t appear to be wrinkled.

  She stayed near the window while he rummaged inside his bag. “I can’t stay long. It will take me at least twenty minutes to get to the area where Harold works, and then who knows how long before I find a parking spot.”

  He quickly straightened. “Can you stay for a few minutes?”

  “What do you need me to stay for?”

  His lips twitched. “I can think of a lot of reasons.”

  She rolled her eyes. He seemed to have sex on his brain a lot lately.

  “Do you want to kill this guy or not?” she asked.

  “Of course I want to kill the demon.”

  “Then I have to go.”

  “Let me at least shave real fast and change. Then, you can take the bag with you.” He dug through the contents again.

  Emily had forgotten she’d only paid for one night for the room. Their plans were to meet at the spot past the woods where he planned to kill Harold. After they disposed of the body in the river, they weren’t returning to the motel, which meant his belongings had to go with her.

  “Make sure you get the knife,” she said as he fished out clothes and shaving essentials.

  “Can’t forget that.” He unzipped the pouch in the front and removed the switchblade. “Do you have a gun on you?”

  “Yeah, it’s in my computer bag.”

  “Don’t keep it in a place where he can get to it. He might start digging around during that ten-minute drive from the bridge.”

  She silently agreed as she followed him to the bathroom. His arms were full with his clothes and shaving supplies. He stopped at the sink and set everything on the counter. Past him, Emily spotted his boxers hanging over the shower rack near the wall. Why were they… Oh… So, he was going commando at the moment. She swallowed hard and fought the urge to look at his groin.

  “Definitely don’t store it in your purse,” he said, snapping her back to reality.

  She leaned against the doorframe outside the restroom. “I’ll keep it under the seat.”

  “That’s not a good place,” Andrew said, gazing at her from the mirror. “He could still get to it.”

  “But what if I need it?”

  He turned on the faucet before he shook the can of shaving gel. “I’ll be at the spot waiting. You won’t need it.”

  She lowered her gaze, thinking of place to hide it in the event of an emergency. The glove compartment and the one between the seats were too accessible from the passenger side. She couldn’t keep it in her purse since it would be one of the top choices to search for a weapon. The only other place to hide the gun was in the trunk.

  The gel foamed on his face and neck. Once he removed the clip from the razor, he brought it to his face. With a slow and carful stroke, he brought the blade down.

  “Did you sleep okay?” he asked.

  “Yeah.” It was a lie. “You?” She hadn’t slept well at all. She worried about the plans and Andrew killing Harold. Although she’d agreed to help, she couldn’t shake the feeling she was about to take part in the gravest act possible. If there were a heaven, she’d never get to it by being an accomplice to murder, which meant she’d purchased a ticket to the fiery inferno.

  He washed the razorblade under the water before taking another swipe on his face. “No, I didn’t sleep well.”

  “Having second thoughts?”

  “No, definitely not having any of those.” He brought the blade up under his chin.

  “Worried?”

  He tapped the razor in the sink after he washed it off. Gazing at her in the mirror, he said, “I’m worried about you.”

  Her heart gained an extra beat. A stranger she’d only met a few days ago who wanted to kill a man who was supposed to be a demon couldn’t sleep because he was concerned about her. It was sweet and bizarre. Her life was getting crazier every day.

  “I’ll be fine. You’ve seen me fight. I can handle this guy,” she said.

  “But he’s not just a guy. He’s a demon.”

  He finished shaving the other side of his face. Once he finished, he wiped his cheeks with a rag. He seemed so normal, acted like a regular person, but he continued to believe he was an angel going to kill a demon. How could any sane person create such a story and follow through with it? The question frightened her, but in her eyes, she saw a man who wouldn’t hurt her. In fact, he cared about her. She had to stay with him to understand him. And if he was some crazy criminal out for blood, well, she was already waiting in line at the ticket booth to hell. He’d get her through the line faster.

  “I’ll be fine,” she said, hoping to appease his mind.

  He turned off the water after he set the rag on the counter. “I hope so. You’re strong and smart. This is all new to me, so I’m not sure what to expect.”

  “Join the club.”

  He removed his shirt and then handed it to her. She stared with wide eyes at his finely sculpted chest while he unzipped his jeans. The sexy man was a masterpiece. As he pushed his pants down she walked away.

  “Do you always strip in front of strange women?” she asked, heading toward his bag on the bed.

  He chuckled. “You’re not strange and you’ve already seen me naked.” The sound of his voice drew nearer. He tossed his jeans on the bed.

  She froze, but her heart continued to rap wildly. “Please tell me you’re not in the buff right now.”

  “I’m in the buff, completely bare skinned, and as pure flesh as you can get,” he said standing behind her.

  She closed her eyelids while she fought the compulsion to turn around. Her body wanted to. Her eyes begged her to. Damn him for getting her hot and bothered. There wasn’t time for playing around.

  “I need to go.” She opened eyes and reached for his jeans.

  “What’s the matter? Afraid to see what an angel in the buff looks like?” He smirked.

  She didn’t see the humor in the situation. In fact, his temptation sounded more like a dare. She hated when men goaded her. If he thought he had any power over her, he was mistaken. Pulse racing, she twisted to face him.

  “I’m leaving now,” she said, staring into his eyes. As much as she craved to look down, she refused. “So stop thinking with your balls and use your brains. Get ready for tonight.”

  The lighthearted look on his face quickly died. “Right. Hang on.” He darted back to the bathroom. His butt cheeks jiggled on the way.

  She shook her head, trying to remove the picture of his ass from her mind. Nope, she was pretty sure
it would remain for a long time. She stuffed his clothes into his bag and left the knife on the bed.

  “Here.” He pushed the shaving can and blade into the bag.

  “I’ll call you later,” she said as she lifted the bag.

  Without another word from him, she left his room. He might have thought he had her hooked with his stunning body, quick wits, and charm, but he hadn’t. He was an outsider who continued to lie. Until she obtained the truth, she wouldn’t fall victim to his sneaky tactics or into his bed.

  She put his bag in the trunk and then hopped into the Jeep. Within minutes, she was back on the road and heading toward downtown Pittsburgh.

  The streets were packed with parked cars. She drove around the block twice and still couldn’t find a spot. The clock on the dashboard revealed 10:28. She still had time to drive around a few more times, but with each passing minute, her anxiety rose a notch.

  Her phone chimed in her purse for the third time. Whomever it was calling needed to chill out. The annoying ring wasn’t helping her nerves.

  She circled the area three more times before she decided to park in the garage. Parked cars filled each floor, forcing her to drive to the roof. She found a vacant spot at the opposite end of where she wanted to be.

  The digital numbers on her dash showed 10:48 and she cursed them. Twenty minutes to find a spot was ridiculous. She grabbed her purse and hurried to the trunk. As quickly as she could, she changed out of her sneakers and slid her heels on. The snug fit would irritate her toes in a few hours. Since she didn’t need to carry the gun, she slid it into her computer case where it would be out of sight. After she locked the Jeep, she strode toward the exit.

  Her pulse sped and nearly matched the clacks of her shoes on the sidewalk as she hurried toward Harold’s building. Clouds dotted the sky while a cool wind kept her from sweating. Lunchtime had arrived and people crowded the market. She crossed the street to avoid the foot traffic. The pressure on her toes had already begun. She hoped she wouldn’t have to stand around for hours, waiting for Harold to show.

  She entered through the side entrance of the building. The card and flower stand had several customers inside when she passed by. Near the elevators, businessmen and women came and went. Besides her shoes smacking the tile, the chatter from conversations carried. She proceeded to the other side of the building where the café, restaurant, and coffee shop were located. The smell of java called to her, but she resisted. She had enough nervous energy flowing through and any kind of caffeine would fuel it.

  The tables near the café remained empty, but she doubted they would stay that way for much longer. Customers had already started a line inside. She stood outside the eatery, near the tables, giving the appearance she was waiting to meet someone. When her phone rang again, she decided to check it. The screen showed Andrew calling her. She switched off the sound before she dropped the cell back in her purse.

  More men and women came and walked away with food in their hands. The aroma of bread brought a growl from her stomach. She settled for a small iced tea. As she sipped it, she paced from the restaurant to the entrance of the building. She had to stay alert in case Harold decided to go out for lunch. She noticed one of the guards watching her and she gave him a smile. A few times, she fished out her phone and pretended to send a text. Time dragged and her feet began to ache.

  Standing near the coffee shop with her cup in her hand, she wondered if she was doing the right thing when she could easily walk away and forget everything. Life could return to normal. But then, it never would be, not after Libby’s death.

  She twisted and took a step toward the café. Harold strode from one of the elevator areas with his friend from the day before walking at his side. They headed to the exit. She ambled toward the café as the two men passed through the revolving door. Harold wore dark pants and a red polo shirt. He was easy to spot since he was shorter than most men. The two stopped between parked cars as if they were waiting to cross the street. Suspecting they were on their way to the market, Emily headed to the exit.

  The two stared in the direction of oncoming traffic. Emily strode away from them with her cup in hand and headed to the end of the sidewalk. When the stoplight began to change, she picked up her stride. The red light appeared as she reached the corner and she was able to cross.

  Harold and his buddy had reached the market. The crowded square would make it difficult for her to find him, but easy for her to blend in if she ever got there. Her toes ached as she hurried to the sidewalk.

  A group of businessmen dressed in nice suits passed in front of her when she reached the curb. She followed behind them to the market.

  The flower stand came to her mind as the first place to check for Harold. No surprise, she found him flirting with the woman. Emily stood maybe six feet away watching him. When the saleswoman shifted her attention to a pair of older ladies near her stand, Emily saw her opportunity. She passed through the crowd, heading for Harold.

  He had his back facing her and his head tilted to a set of flowers in front of him. She popped the lid on her cup. Two feet from him, she took a deep breath. She bumped her elbow into the back of his arm and dropped her drink. He turned and she backed out of the way as the dark fluid splashed near their feet.

  “Oh crap. Shit. Damn it.” She lifted her gaze from the mess she’d made. “I’m so sorry.”

  He chuckled. “No harm done, honey.” His gaze lingered over her body.

  She squatted and kept her knees together to retrieve the cup and lid. “Well there goes my lunch.”

  He crouched by her and placed his hand on her arm. His touch triggered her internal alarm bells. She almost instinctively jerked away from him.

  “Here, let me help you,” he said as she straightened.

  “Thanks.” She tucked the lid inside the cup.

  “That was your lunch?”

  “Yeah, a group of us are on a lunch break. We don’t have a lot of time, but we wanted to do a little exploring. I’m Carrie,” she offered her hand.

  “Harold.” He accepted her greeting while he glanced at her chest. “So you’re visiting?”

  “Yep. Leaving tomorrow. I’m here for a convention.”

  “What kind of convention?” His brown eyes had a hungry, feral look to them. Even if she knew nothing about him, she would be wary of him.

  She waved her hand at him. “Probably nothing you’d like. It has to do with IT.”

  He chuckled. “I don’t know much about that stuff. Not my area of expertise.”

  She smiled and lifted a shoulder. “Yeah, I’m a geek.”

  “The world needs smart lovely ladies like you.”

  She faked a laugh. “You’re so sweet. I’m really sorry I bumped into you.”

  “Oh, I’m not. I don’t meet pretty geeks very often.”

  “You’re too kind.” She widened her grin for him even though she wanted to tuck tail and run. “So, do you work around here?”

  “Right over there.” He pointed to the glass building across the street.

  “So you get to come out to this lovely market every day?”

  He nodded. “There’s always something going on here.”

  “Oh really? Lucky you.” She tried to sound excited. “Since you’re from around here, maybe you can help me. I’m looking for something fun to do tonight since it’s my last night in the city. Would you have any ideas?”

  A grin formed on his round face. “Looking for some fun, huh?”

  “Well, yeah. Last night here… A girl’s got to have some fun.” She snapped her fingers. “Hey, isn’t there a casino around here? I thought I heard someone from my group talk about one.”

  “There is one that’s not too far from here.”

  “What’s it called?” she asked with a hint of eagerness in her tone.

  “River’s Casino.”

  “River’s Casino. Got it. I’ll have to Google it for directions. Have you been there?”

  “A few times. It’s a decent
place.”

  “Yeah?” She gave him an innocent smile. “You wouldn’t happen to be free later, would you?”

  “I might be if the boss doesn’t keep me all night.”

  “Can I give you my number?”

  He teetered on his feet. “Honey, you can give me anything you want.”

  She snickered as she dug for a pen in her purse. “Are you a lucky person?”

  “Me? Lucky?”

  “Yeah. I need a good luck charm at a casino so I can win big.”

  “Oh, I’m definitely lucky. I’m a great charm to have with you.”

  She withdrew a pen. “Awesome. Can I see a hand?”

  He gave her his right one. With the empty cup in one hand, she used her free one to turn his palm up. Using the pen, she wrote her cell number and her name. It wasn’t easy, but he held steady for her.

  “There,” she said before she dropped the pen in her bag. “If you want to have some fun with me, great. No strings attached.”

  “No strings, huh?” He looked at his palm before he returned it to his pocket.

  “Nope. We can have some drinks, chat, gamble… See where the night takes us.”

  He lowered his gaze to her chest again. “I think we could both be very lucky.”

  She glanced around, looking for his friend. There were too many bodies crowding around. Given she’d spent several minutes chatting with Harold, his friend should be on the way back. She didn’t want his buddy to see her.

  Smiling, she said, “I have to run, Harold. I need to find the people I came with.”

  “Sure thing, honey.”

  She stepped back. “I hope to hear from you later. Don’t leave me alone on my last night.”

  His grin widened. “Oh, I couldn’t do that.”

  She waved before she walked away from him. Relief swelled within her as she strode through the square. She wanted to get as far from him as she could, even though it was in the opposite direction of Jeep. The man was a bona fide creep. His eyes had been filled with a dark hunger. Her stomach churned when she looked into them. And each time he looked at her chest, she felt the need to cover herself up.