Chapter 78 Chapter 78
When I walked in that bar, I saw him right away. He was at the bar chatting up a girl that looked like she wanted to be anywhere else but there. I made my way over and took a seat, one seat away from him. One thing I learned about Texas men. They knew women from the north, or Yankees, and they always shot their shot.
"One margarita, please," I said sweetly to the bartender.
“I’ll be damned, it’s one of them northern girls,” he slurred.
“I am. I’m Vanessa,” I said, smiling. I guess he took the bait because he moved and was sitting beside me. He was a lightweight. I spoke to him in my soft, sweet tone, telling him I was traveling because my boyfriend cheated on me, and he was eating it up. By twelve I was ready to leave, and he was ready to leave with me too.
“Let’s go back to my motel and have some fun, baby,” I said, placing a finger on his chest.
“A’ight then,” he said with a smirk.
I got into his car with him, and he started driving. While driving, he placed one of his hands on my thighs, and I felt disgusted. Once we were on the short, lonely stretch of road, I opened my clutch and pulled the syringe out and uncorked it. I looked at him and smiled. “Why don't you pull over, and we can have some fun on the way, baby?” I said, caressing his thighs with a smile.
The minute he hit the brake, I plunged the syringe into his thighs and pressed.
“FUCKING WHORE,” he screamed. I opened the car door and jumped out. He staggered out, making his way to me. I leaned against the car door and looked at my
watch. It was a strong dose of succinylcholine. It should take effect in minutes. I saw when it began affecting him. I had an old abandoned place in Black Creek Runoff for him. I got him into the car and drove straight to the abandoned mines. I strapped him to the makeshift table and left him there. Making sure he couldn't get out or get help. Then I went back to his house. It was seven in the morning when I got there.
I went in through the back door; I took my time. I checked the house; it was empty. That's when I found it. A closet I opened it expecting clothes, but instead I found a wall of pictures, drawings, and notes. He had been watching for a long time, since I was in Manhattan. Before I met Zaiel, he had pictures of my house. I ripped it all off and put it in a trash bag. When I got back to the mines, he was still out, so I was reading the newspaper that declared Caroline died of an overdose. I heard the mumbling and threw the paper onto the table.
I didn't move; I just sat waiting for him to wake up. When he did, he began struggling and screaming against the gag. I stood slowly and made my way to the table; I leaned over and looked at him.
“I guess we met sooner than you thought we would. You look exactly like your fucking father, and I hate him. Caroline is dead, just so you know, and you're next,” I said before grabbing the hammer.
I looked at him. “Did he tell you how he and his brothers took turns raping me? They think you would have that opportunity also?” I asked with a smirk and brought the hammer down, stopping inches away from his face, and smiled.
“That’s too easy.”
Kai
I was in my office. One week ago Joe and Carlo came to me. And told me Clayton Barker was gone. Now they were here again, with Rob and Jax.
“Boss, he’s still missing, presumed dead,” Carlo said, and I just stared at him.
“Barker?”
“Yes, his car is gone, and they can’t find him.” Joe said,
“And Tessa?” I asked.
“No one knows. I reached out to the friends that the divorce document was left with, and they said that she hasn’t contacted them in two weeks, and they are worried because she hasn't even been to the apartment in a week,” Rob said.
“Have they checked her apartment?” I asked.
“Yes. I went in. One of her friends, Paige, allowed me to go in with her, and she looked around, and everything was normal. Her Jeep is in the parking lot, her mail had been taken in, but she isn't there.” Jax said.
“Find her, now. Jax, you and Rob lead and take everyone. Joe, help them with logistics. “You know the drill,” I said.
After they left, I sat there, wondering, "Where the hell could she have gone?" That night was family dinner; I was at my parents' house for dinner, but I didn't have any appetite.
“Zaiel, is something wrong?” My mother asked.
“No,” I said. It was no use pretending I was hungry because I wasn’t; my mind was on her. After half an hour sitting there and not eating or trying to make conversation, I left and went back to my apartment. I was on my balcony having a drink, more than I should, when I heard the door. I knew no one could come in without actually passing security.
My mother stepped out onto the balcony, along with my father, Joe, Jax, and Rob.
“What is happening here?” I asked, looking at them.
My mother sat down beside me and took my hand in hers. I looked at her.
“I’m not in the mood for nonsense. Why are the three of you gathered here?. Did you get any information?” I asked.
“Boss, she hasn’t texted or called her friends because…” Jax said, "Stop."
“Because what?” I asked.
“Zaiel, Tessa was found. She was… her body was found in the water by the boat ramps and the docks yesterday.” My mother said, My ears started ringing, and I could feel the glass slipping from my fingers but couldn't stop it.
“If you don't want Tessa to be in my life, fine, but DON'T SAY SHE’S FUCKING DEAD.” I said, and my mother squeezed my hands. I turned and looked at her, and she shook her head; the look in her eyes made me stand up instantly.
“Fine, I’ll find her myself,” I said, rougher than I meant to. I started walking towards the door when someone grabbed me.
“Zaiel,” my mother pleaded.
“Boss, the… coroner confirmed it… she… she was decapitated. The injury on her shoulder and hands… she had her ID in the jeans pocket.” Jax said, and I felt like the world broke around me.
“Her friends confirmed… She… sorry, boss,” Rob said.
“I’m fine,” I said, walking into my office and slamming the door shut. I grabbed the bottle of scotch and downed almost half of it. She wasn't dead; she can't be dead. She can't. I walked over to the door, pulling it open. They were all still here. Joe stepped forward and handed me a folder.