Page 101 of Wallflower

“And a hooker?”

He chokes on the air he’s inhaling and I bust a gut laughing. Who can’t do something as benign as breathing? “Let’s start with the steak, and go from there.”

“That doesn’t sound like a no.”

“Would you fucking hold still?”

“I can’t. The brush is cold, and you’re pulling my hair.”

“I’m almost done.”

“Why couldn’t we have done this out in the woods, Rip? That was the original plan.”

“Plans change,” I reply, watching as Shantel perfects the makeup along Kyle’s neck. Fine tuning each layer of liquid latex until the wound is gaping and horrific.

“Ready?”

“I suppose.”

Thankfully, there’s a special effects convention going on at the larger hotel down the block, so we won’t stand out amongstthe crowd staying here at the cheaper option. “Meet me in the alley, I have to grab the blood from the car.”

“Do I even want to know where you got fresh blood from?”

“Probably not.”

“Fucking hell,” Shantel mutters under her breath.

“Do you really want to risk using fake blood?” I snap. “There’s already enough at stake with this plan, and so few ways to kill a man that provide enough proof to Maximus. I can’t shoot Ky, because then I’d have to show Mr. Smythe a massive exit wound. I can't strangle him because what if he wants to see the eyes? We can’t fake those popped blood vessels. So unless I strangle Kyle unconscious, that won’t work. Please, if you have another suggestion, let me know. Because I’m already worried Maximus will want to see a gunshot wound despite all this work.”

Both Kyle and Shantel have no reply, letting thick silence settle over us.

“That’s what I thought, meet me downstairs.” Without waiting for their ‘yes, sir’, I leave the room, diverting to my own.

I’ve only been separated from Rose for four days, and the throbbing desire to have her touch chase away the turmoil thrumming beneath my skin is driving me insane. This time apart is having the opposite effect. My head isn’t clear, it’s fogged up with all the memories of her moaning and writhing for me. Fuck, I’m gone for her and she doesn’t even know it. I’ve never been addicted to anything in my life, but if this is what the junkies banging on the crack house doors feel like without a fix, I get it. I’m tense, wired, unable to release the pressure building inside me. The escorts Kyle and I picked up the other night couldn’t get me off. No matter how hard they tried, I remained limp. Even picturing Rose’s face didn’t help.

“But you’re fucking working now, aren’t you?” I grumble, looking down at the raging hard-on beneath my pants. I’m sore,rubbed raw by my own hand, searching for an orgasm that wouldn’t come. Even as I gently stroke over my cock, it’s tender. My dick even more stubborn than the woman who’s secured herself a place in my every waking thought and emotion.

One of my many burner phones beeps from within my pocket. When I pull it out, annoyance prickles my temples.

Shantel:

We’re waiting…

I know she’s a long term friend, but the lax way she talks to me inches its way under my skin. I’m the goddamn boss, I should be treated as such. Thanks to Kyle, I know she’s irritated with the lack of dick in her life. It’s not my fault my cock doesn’t work for anyone except Rose. It’s aggravating to me too. This trip was supposed to be a way to get her out of my system, so I could return to the island focused. Eyes on the prize, in a way. But right now the only thing I want to claim is her, and at the risk of tossing the entire fucking plan out the window.

Shantel:

Tick tock. People are starting to stare.

Fuck this woman! As head of security, you’d think she’d know to stay out of fucking sight until I’m ready. The darkened alley behind the hotel can’t be overflowing with people. It’s why I picked it. It’s in the complete opposite direction that all the patrons headed for the convention would be travelling in.

Shantel:

Should I come see what’s taking you so long, sir? *winky face*

And just like that, my boner deflates, shrivelling back to its flaccid state. Guess now’s a good a time as any to go pour pig blood on my best friend.

I’ve arrived early to my meeting with Patrick. Content to sit and watch the family through the window while analyzing every detail of these photos of Kyle. If I didn’t know better, I’d assume he was an unfortunate tourist who met his demise in a secluded part of a tarnished city. Hopefully Maximus is satisfied by these, because there really is no alternative.