How to Kill Your Boss - An Erotic Love Story. Krissy Daniels

Another officer tried to swing me in the opposite direction. Two blinks too late. He tried to block my view, but I caught a glimpse of what had everyone’s panties in a bunch.

      A man, wearing a dark gray hoodie and dark sweats, hung, suspended by ropes, in Jacob’s foyer, just beyond his door. Arms and legs sprawled, head fallen forward. Like a giant X. Blood pooled thick and shiny below him. So much blood.

      My knees and ankles gave out. The floor came at me like a speeding bullet. I was suspended in the air by a solid arm, then set upright. I looked up into the warm eyes of Detective Waters.

      “Shit. Miss Wood. I’m so sorry. You weren’t supposed to see that.” He scooted me back into my apartment. “Stiles. Shut that fucking door,” he shouted.

      My own door slammed behind me.

      “I—I saw him.” Thoughts spun in a nauseating cycle. “He. Jogging. I saw.”

      The detective braced me with a steady arm. A musky pine scent filled my senses. Warm. Soothing. “My deepest apologies. Those jackasses are being demoted first thing in the morning.”

      “No. You don’t understand…” I shook my head and backed away. “I saw that man outside. This morning.” Head spinning, my vision narrowed.

      Detective Waters guided me to the couch and forced me into the cushions. He strode to the kitchen, searched my cupboards for a glass, and brought me some tap water. “Tell me what happened.”

      I took a small sip of the warm, chlorine-flavored aqua, then replayed the morning’s events for him, minus the sexy stranger who’d outfitted my apartment in super spyware. I should’ve told him about Franklin.

      I didn’t.

      I was pissed. I wanted an explanation from mysterious Mr. Reed before the police got a crack at him.

      “Have you been home all day?” The beefy cop sat next to me.

      “Yes.” His weight sunk the cushion and I fell against his shoulder. He didn’t seem to mind. His breath smelled of mint and coffee. I scooted over and turned toward him.

      “Did you hear or see anything?” He flipped through the pages of his notebook.

      “No. Nothing. I did have my music louder than it should’ve been. I was cleaning for most of the day.” How I didn’t hear or see anything so brutal happening right next door was beyond my comprehension.

      “Miss Wood. I’m going to show you a picture. It’s graphic. I’m sorry, but I need to know if you recognize him.”

      My gut clenched. More gore? No, thank you. Visions of Jacob’s mangled body flashed before my eyes. Bile rose in my throat. I choked it down with more warm water.

      Detective Waters handed over his cell. A close-up of the dead man’s face filled the screen. Tattoos covered his shaved head. They also stretched up his neck and rose just above a square jawline. His cheeks were bloody. One eye was swollen shut. His lip, split wide open, revealed two bloody teeth.

      “I’m sorry. I don’t know this man.” Not that I would’ve recognized his bruised and bloodied mug. The tattoos? I would’ve remembered meeting someone wearing that ink.

      “Miss Wood. Do you have somewhere you can stay tonight?” I bounced when he rose to stand.

      “I don’t have anywhere to go.” Mom was in Florida. No siblings.

      “No family, friends?”

      I shook my head. “No. Not really.” Sure, I had a few close friends, but none I would burden with my troubles.

      “Do I need to go?”

      “You’re not required to leave. Wouldn’t you feel safer staying with someone? What about your boyfriend, the man who was here yesterday?”

      I almost laughed. Bit hard on my lip instead. “Oh, he’s not my boyfriend.”

      The handsome detective’s eyes grew wide. “Could’ve fooled me. I noticed the way he looked at you.” He winked as if he’d given me top-secret, valuable information. Wow. The gruff detective was a romantic at heart. How sweet.

      “Not to worry. We’ll be working through the night, I suspect. There will be officers stationed outside as well. Please don’t be offended when they insist on escorting you in and out as you go.”

      “Thank you.” I attempted a smile. “Where did they take Jacob? I called the three major hospitals earlier and nobody had record of him being admitted.”

      The detective’s face hardened. “As soon as I hear how he’s doing, I’ll let you know.” He paused as if debating whether or not to say more, then huffed. “You have my number. Call me any time. Day or night.” He winked, then closed the door behind him.