Read Online The Cleaner (Born Bratva Book 4) by Suzanne Steele - Free Book Online Page B

take a K9 home with her, to help her feel more secure at night. She didn’t, though, and I’ll always wonder if it would have made a difference.”
    The statement catches Agent Turner’s attention. “Is there anyone who could corroborate what she told you about her suspicions that someone had been inside her house?”
    “Well, yeah, maybe. But the only other person she would have ever discussed something like that with is dead. She and Karen were close.”
    Agent Murphy speaks up for the first time. “The first murder suggests that the killer has ties to law enforcement. This one does nothing to dissuade me from that theory. This victim was close friends with the first victim; that has to account for something. This is starting to feel personal, like a vendetta. ”
    Her partner stares up at the body, his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes narrowed. “Well, if it’s personal, then that means the killer’s more likely to make a mistake. When he does, we’ll be ready. For now, though, it looks like the governor may be on to something. It’s possible our killer is a cop or someone with ties to law enforcement, and now he’s killed two cops who were best friends. I don’t have a clear motive yet, but pieces are starting to fall into place.” He slowly shakes his head and rubs a hand over the back of his neck, muttering to himself, “Why would he target these two women? What did they ever do to him?”
    “You know,” I say on a long exhale. “We’ve been assuming the killer is a male. I’m not so sure.” I don’t know if it’s my words or just the sound of my voice that does it, but I’ve drawn the gaze of everyone in the room. I clear my throat and forge ahead, “I think we could be looking at a very personal vendetta among friends, or maybe among people who used to be friends. So we’ve got to take a step back and think about who would go to such lengths to settle a score by targeting these two close friends?”
    Agent Murphy nods sagely and murmurs, “Another friend, that’s who.”



Chapter Twenty
    Cop Killer
    In some ways I’m no different than any other criminal. For example, I enjoy inserting myself into investigations, observing the mayhem I create. But I hadn’t counted on them bringing in the FBI – and the cream of the crop, at that: the notorious Agent Turner and his partner, Rene Murphy. This is a revelation, that my actions have been deemed noteworthy at the highest levels of the law enforcement community. 
    The other revelation is that killing comes much easier to me than I ever expected -- so much so that I worry that I’m not putting my newfound abilities to their best use. The acts I’ve committed are heinous, yes, but my belief in my righteousness is absolute. It is in righting these wrongs that I have found my highest purpose. But is it right that I use my newfound skills to serve only my personal needs?
    Deep inside, the dark soul of a vigilante stirs within me, uncoiling, stretching languidly as she rises to her feet, yearning to pursue justice for the countless victims that society all but ignores.
     



Chapter Twenty One
    Nikita
    Her body arches sinuously as she pulls against the restraints. She’s laid out on my bed spread eagle, every inch of her body at my mercy. I chose these black scarves because they’re soft yet strong…like her.
    Her body mesmerizes me as she moves languidly, meeting the rhythm of the symphony I’m creating. Each touch of my hand and my tongue elicits a response…a shiver…a moan…a plea for the nerve-shattering release that only I can give her. I lean down close to her ear and an animalistic, feral growl rumbles deep in my chest as I nuzzle her neck.
    “What did I tell you I was going to do to you?”
    “Make me beg,” she gasps.
    “And beg you will, my little Russian doll.”
    The crop connecting with the tender flesh of a nipple causes her to cry out in anguish. I flick my tongue rapidly over the pink whelp on the tender flesh,