12. Elijah

S till focusing on the sight before me, I contemplate my next move.

My body relaxes. The hit of dopamine settles.

Shifting my eyes slightly, her legs are shaking violently.

My gaze moves up. The shaking radiates over her entire body.

She should be fucking scared.

She should be on her fucking knees, pleading for mercy. Begging for leniency. Hoping it happens fast.

Taking a step forward, I slide my bat out from under the mutilated body below it. Bloodstains and indented teeth marks are visible. Swinging the bat with my wrist, I step forward. The sound of my boot hitting the concrete builds the tension. My face is neutral. Her back is against the building wall as her chin quivers. “You don’t need to do this.”

I don’t need to do anything more than I need to do this.

The streetlight catches her face. Beads of sweat glisten.

Taking another step forward, tilting my head down, I rub my nose against her moist skin and inhale her deeply.

Fear is a beautiful scent.

As I reach the end of her forehead, I release my tongue and taste her.

Panic ignites on my taste buds.

Smiling, my fangs are sharp and pierce my bottom lip as they sit upon it. Licking my lips, I can faintly taste copper.

Not good enough.

I bite down on my lip harder. The skin is sensitive, and the pinch is satisfying. I can feel the warm blood trickle down my lip and onto my chin.

My excitement elevates again. Ready for more.

“You fucked with the wrong group of people, cousin.” My tone is venomous.

Rain’s hand comes between us. I grip her wrist with my free hand. The antique claw is still on, as it punctures her skin slightly. “Little bat, you have been a very bad, bad girl.”

A tiny giggle erupts, with no effort to muffle it. My little bat is playing with fire.

“I like being bad for you, E.”

Bringing her wrist up to my mouth, I rotate it to where I punctured her delicate skin. My tongue laps the area, devouring her sweet blood which drips down her arm.

Mine.

Thinking I am distracted, Francesca tries to inch herself away from us.

I’ve been doing this for fifteen years; I see everything.

Swiftly, letting go of Rain, I slap my hand next to my cousin's head. The metal claw scrapes against the cement, which sounds like nails against a chalkboard. She startles, stopping in place.

Rain takes this opportunity to step between us. Lifting her hand, she rubs her thumb against my cousin’s lip slowly, taunting her. “Franny, it’s bedtime.”

Reaching back with her other hand, Rain grips my bat, taking it from my hand before stepping back next to me. A breeze washes over us, her hair tickles my arm, and my dick gets hard, straining against my pants as I remember she still has that plug safely secured inside of her.

My hand breaks free from the wall, and I take the claw off and pass it to Rain.

Then, in one quick movement, I flip Francesca around, holding her close against me as I wrap my arm around her neck while my other hand grips her head.

The arm which is wrapped around her grips the bicep of the arm holding her head.

The more I squeeze, the less blood and oxygen will get to her brain, which will ultimately make her pass out. Much easier to transport an unconscious body than some annoying bitch screaming in the trunk.

Her phone drops as sharp nails scratch against me.

Using my strength, I lift her off the ground, her feet kicking into the air as her body continues to squirm. Taking my hint, Rain is quick to pick the phone up. This way, we can give it to my dad and his people can do whatever the fuck they need to do.

As Rain goes to stand, her ass adjusts as a small moan escapes.

Francesca’s body goes limp.

I hold on a little longer to make sure she is out and not faking it.

We stand in silence.

Her body is heavy in my arms.

“E, I think she’s out.” Rain’s voice breaks me from my trance.

Nodding, I maneuver her around in my arms until I am able to throw her over my shoulder.

Taking the lead, I walk down the sidewalk, leaving the Pawn’s body behind. I don’t hear my little bat behind me. What is she waiting for?

“E, shouldn’t we hide him?”

Still walking, I shout back casually, “It’s The Reckoning, just leave it. I’ll text my dad to send a cleanup crew. No one is going to fucking care.”

“Oh. Okay.” Still hesitant, she begins to follow. Her tiny footsteps trail behind me as we reach the car.

Popping the trunk, I throw my cousin in, her body still limp, and close her in. Rain is already sitting in the car as I get in. Starting it, it roars to life.

Lifting the middle console open, I rummage around until I find what I am looking for, then toss it onto Rain’s lap.

“Um, what is this for?”

Rolling my eyes, I reply, “Your lips.”

Her voice is timid the next time she speaks. “Are you mad?”

Sitting up straight in my seat, I put the car into drive. My tone is deep and my words are sharp when I say, “Fucking furious.”