Bet

RAYNA

“W…who on earth are you?” I asked, my breath escaping in short gasps.

He smirked slightly, moving the gun away with just a finger. My hand fell weakly to my side as I locked eyes with him.

“This is my estate.” He muttered calmly.

“That’s not what I asked–“

“That’s what I want to tell you for now.” He cut me off, “I thought you were lying when you said you were in the force…but it seems you weren’t bluffing.”

He sounded amused. Like he’d found out I’d lied at that moment.

“Well…” I muttered, running my palm against the back of my neck. Why is he speaking to me like he knew me from a long time ago?

“What are you doing here?” I asked. “This is a crime scene.”

He raised his brow. “You think I’m still a suspect.” He said, stepping away from me. “Someone was murdered. I came to check it out, is that wrong?”

“Why would you–“

“Agent Valecrest.” My fellow agent called and my lips parted as I turned to look at him.

“Huh, I have to go–“

His eyes flickered to the agent and he glanced back at me. “Keep your gun safe, Rayna. Don’t go around pointing it at people that way.” He said and turned, walking away from me.

I stared at him until he walked out of sight.

“Agent Valecrest?”

I turned swiftly. “Ah, yes.”

****

“Same number of stabs. At the same point.” Marcus said, as we stared at the investigation materials.

“He left a letter.” I muttered, tapping on the paper. “He gave us a name.”

“What do you think the name is for? It’s definitely not the names of his already dead victims.” He said, sighing. “Who is so psychopathic to be able to do this?”

I bit my lips, thinking hard. “What if it’s the name of his next victim?”

Marcus glanced at me, a serious expression on his face. “You are right. The name of his next victim? But why do you think he would give us a clue?”

“That’s not what we should worry about now. What we need to know is why the murderer targets them. That way, we can stop future murders.”

He nodded slowly, sighing. “We should continue tomorrow, Agent Valecrest. It’s late already. You should get some rest at home.”

I glanced at the time. 9:16pm.

I sighed, running my tongue over my lips. Would it be crazy if I said I haven’t found a house to live in yet?

“Marcus….” I drawled, staring at him slowly, "Where can I get somewhere to stay this late at night?”

His eyes widened slightly, “You don’t have a house to stay in?”

“Yet.” I clarified. “Yet. I will get one as fast as possible tomorrow morning.”

“Well, then, get into my car. I’ll drive around and see if I can get a hotel for you to stay in.”

“Thank you.”

The ride looking for hotels was the longest thing I’d done today and probably the fifth disappointment I’d revived in just a day. My nose scrunched upwards as I stared at the hotel.

Agent Marcus scratched the back of his head slowly, “It’s closed. Unfortunately.”

I bit my lower lip as I felt the cold starting to creep into my body. My fingers rubbed against my skin as I turned to stare at him. “You know what? I’m just going to go back to the office and spend the night there, then tomorrow–“

“It’s dangerous for you to be there alone. Just come with me to my house. I have two rooms. You can stay there till you find your own apartment.” He says flatly.

I blinked. “No, how can I–“

“I live alone. So don’t think you are inconveniencing me in any way. Besides, I can judge you won’t be the kind of person to overstay your welcome.”

My brows furrowed. “I’m not. I’ll...leave first thing tomorrow morning.” I replied.

He shrugged. “Then, I’m glad. It’s almost 12pm. Let’s get home really quickly.”

My mouth fell open as I stared at the building.

“You live in Obsidian Heights?” I asked, glancing at Marcus. He nodded casually as he took his bag out of the car, stepping into the large door that led into the apartment.

“Are we collecting the salary?”

He halted, glancing at me with a small smirk. “Yes, we are. But I doubt you would be able to rent an apartment here.”

“How much does it cost?” I whispered.

“Six million dollars. A two bedroom apartment.”

“Oh my–what!!!”

“Hey!” He snapped. “Stay quiet.” He snapped as he walked into the elevator.

It’s just a two bedroom apartment, how could it be so expensive? The estimated value of our 4 bedroom apartment was 1.8million dollars and even then, Cassian had anger issues for about a month.

So how could just one of Obsidian Height’s elevators cost more than Cassian’s whole house?

“See, I told you you would be shocked to the bones.”

“How can you afford this kind of house? The combined salary for the whole year is less than a hundred thousand dollars.” I muttered. “You are secretly the heir to a company, aren’t you?”

“Is that what you think?” He raised his brows and I scoffed.

“It would be crazy if you were. But still, I am not the kind of person to poke my nose into someone else’s business. So I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear the price of the house you own.”

“You know there are still vacancies. About three empty apartments. If you are looking for a place to stay, Obsidian Heights is–“

The elevator opened and my brows almost hit my hairline as my eyes widened.

“You again?!”

XAVIAN VARKOS

“We need to act fast or else–“

“That’s exactly what I have been telling you to do. Adrian, you have a whole security team at your disposal, is my investment all for nothing?” I cut him off.

Adrian sucked in a deep breath. He knows how I feel right now.

Irritated.

“At least, I’m sure that the security of Obsidian Heights is intact.”

“It should be. If they manage to trespass Obsidian Heights and Varkos Atruim, it won’t be long for them to reach the headquarters. Are you going to wait till then?” I raised my brow.

“Xavian.” Adrian called slowly. “I would work on it.”

I halted, glancing at the time. It’s past midnight. All because of a stupid murderer trying to evade us. He’s playing tricks on me and I will get him no matter what.

The elevator pulled open and someone instantly stopped talking. I raised my head up slowly, scenting the familiar smell of my mate.

“You again?” Her eyes widened as surprise hit her face.

“Do you expect me to believe it’s a coincidence that you are here?” She scoffed, stepping out of the elevator.

“Hi, Rayna.”

Adrian gasped. “This is Rayna…oh wow, nice to meet you. Rayna. I’ve heard a lot about you.” He stretched his hand forward and my eyes stopped on it.

Adrian cleared his throat softly as he pulled his hand backwards, pocketing it slowly. “I’ll…wait for you downstairs, Xav.”

“Xav? That’s your name?” Rayna asked.

“You know him?” The guy beside her asked quietly. I’d seen him earlier today at the crime scene.

“Yeah, my name is Xav. Xavian for full if you are interested.”

“I’m not.” She shot. “I’m more interested in why you are appearing everywhere. Incase you don’t know, you are my first suspect. First. In my parents estate–“

“Hmm.” I cut her off with a soft hum. “That’s where your parents live, huh? I should give them a discount for living so close to a family member of mine.”

Her face folded into a tight frown. “Are you kidding me?! There was a murder in that estate and you were found there. Also, at the crime scene earlier, that’s all a coincidence?” She snapped.

I stepped closer, covering the gap between us. She froze, blinking. I can clearly hear the sound of the heartbeat of my human mate.

“Is this how you usually work, little mate? You need more that suspicions to take me. You need evidences.”

Her face set in a determined look. “I’ll get it.” She gritted her teeth.

“Fine. I’ll gladly stay in your prison then, when you do. But if you don’t, I’ll have the upper hand against you, deal?”

She scoffed.

Pride. I like that.

What she doesn’t know is that she’d already failed. The saying was true, pride goes before a fall.

“Deal. Even if you aren’t the murder, you must be working with him.”

I smirked, stepping away from her. “Evidence, mate.”

“We’ll cross paths…tomorrow.” I walked away, getting into the elevator.

Her eyes dug holes into mine as she stared at me, not until the elevator finally closed up.

I picked my phone calmly, clicking a contact.

“The rooms in Obsidian Heights, what numbers are they?”

“Room 13, 109, 110 and 170.”

“Prepare room 109 for me. Do a promo lottery card for Room 110. Rayna Valecrest is the winner.”

“Ha. Is she going to contest?”

“She will.” I smirked.