Drop Dead Darling: A Crime Romance Read online

  Copyright © 2021 by Izzy Alexander

  All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in, or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known, hereinafter invented, without express written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the address below.

  Typewriter Pub, an imprint of Blvnp Incorporated

  A Nevada Corporation

  1887 Whitney Mesa DR #2002

  Henderson, NV 89014

  www.typewriterpub.com/[email protected]

  ISBN: 978-1-64434-150-6

  DISCLAIMER

  This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. While references might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  DROP DEAD, DARLING

  IZZY ALEXANDER

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  One

  Anticipation

  Two

  Strategies

  Three

  Encounters

  Four

  Acceptance

  Five

  Opportunities

  Six

  Confrontations

  Seven

  Interrogation

  Eight

  Revelations

  Nine

  Recognition

  Ten

  Precautions

  Eleven

  Saviour

  Twelve

  Exposed

  Thirteen

  Suspicion

  Fourteen

  Honesty

  Fifteen

  Investigations

  Sixteen

  Development

  Seventeen

  Intimacy

  Eighteen

  Familiarity

  Nineteen

  Accommodation

  Twenty

  Betrayal

  Twenty-One

  Bonding

  Twenty-Two

  Confessions

  Twenty-Three

  Enkindle

  Twenty-Four

  Inferno

  Twenty-Five

  Meltdown

  Twenty-Six

  Twenty-Seven

  Explanations

  Twenty-Eight

  Hunted

  Twenty-Nine

  Justice

  Thirty

  Finale

  Epilogue

  Chapter 1

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter 1

  This book is dedicated to my incredible mum.

  You have supported my writing since I could first pick up a pen,

  whether it was encouraging me to write when I was being lazy

  or reading through this book with me to help with editing – multiple times!

  You’re the best and I love you so much. Thank you.

  As the spider watches the fly struggle in her web,

  the guilt which falls upon her betrays Mother Nature entirely.

  Prologue

  Gaunt silver wisps of cloud highlighted the dying sun. A mighty, fire-like hue followed by shades of violet and pastel pink combined with rich navy blues painted across the sky. As traces of darkness began to shape the vivid colors of the evening, thin shadows stretched from the branches of trees like ghostly, boney fingers. The moon was yet to make its appearance; however, its pearly outline already loomed beyond the veil of fog.

  With my mind elsewhere, I carelessly slung my battered bag over my shoulder. All enthusiasm was drained from me as I descended the pathway with its gravel crunching underneath my heels. It had been a long, fatiguing day to say the least.

  As I entered the building, my feet climbed the metal stairs like a robot with a metallic clang emanating from under my sole after each step. Eventually, I reached the rooftop. The harsh wind nipped my exposed flesh and tangled my unruly blonde hair up. I inhaled a deep, content breath, filling my lungs with the crisp winter air. Kneeling onto the ground, I unzipped my bag to retrieve my beloved device and attached it together. Humming along to the song drifting through my earphones, I aimed the rifle at the target’s head on the street below and took the shot.

  One

  Anticipation

  “Congratulations on your latest job, Miss Evelyn. No one saw you, and it was a nice, clean shot straight through the head. It killed him instantly,” Boss praised, shaking my hand. Leading me to his mahogany desk, he sat on the chair behind it and beckoned me towards the one up-front.

  “Glad to have met your expectations, Boss.”

  A stiff smile was sent my way before a block of cash was dropped into my welcoming, open palm.

  “Now, your next target is the leader of a rival gang who’s really starting to piss me off. There’s not even ten of them yet, but they somehow managed to steal some of our major clients. The leader needs to be taken down asap. Once he’s gone, the gang will crumble.”

  “Alright; long-distance kill,” I confirmed.

  “That’s where the problem comes in,” Boss continued, resting his entwined hands on the desk in front of him. “I’ve already assigned this job to others in your line of work—all of whom have failed me. These people may be criminals, but by no means are they stupid. The moment they realise they’re being targeted, they relocate to somewhere completely off our radar. We’ve only just managed to find them again.”

  “So, what do you expect me to do?” I asked curiously, leaning forward in my seat.

  “Well, this is where it gets complicated. I want an intel. I need to know who their suppliers are—which means you’re going to meet and socialise with them. I need you to gain their trust and feed me information from the inside. If they discover your actual intentions, I fear they won't hesitate to kill you. I can’t afford to lose you, Miss Evelyn. You’re too valuable to this business. You’re going to ask to join their gang and make sure they agree, no matter what it takes. Once I’m satisfied, you take the shot.”

  My forehead creased. “But what if they don’t let me join them?”

  “That’s not an option.” His voice was stern. “You have to persuade them to allow you to join under any circumstance. Do you accept?”

  My eyes met his. “I accept. Now, who’s my target?”

  Boss retrieved a thin stack of papers from his desk and slid them towards me. “His name is Harlen Wright.”

  Two

  Strategies

  I stepped attentively into the flat that Boss obtained for me. It was so small I couldn’t imagine it being able to hold more than two people.

  As I explored my new home, I was satisfied to discover a punching bag hanging in the bedroom. With the running machine, gym ball, and weights, it resembled a miniature gymnasium. Opening the closet door, I even found a set of gun holders. The preparation Boss put into every detail never ceased to surprise me.

  After unpacking my belongings, which didn’t consist of much, I decided to pass the time by reading through the paperwork Boss supplied me with. I needed to know about my target as much as possible. There was a brief identity file but it didn’t have much details. I would have to find them out myself for upcoming encounters.

  Full name: Harlen Álvaro Wright

  Sex: Male

/>   Age: Twenty-five

  Reason for Hit: Rivalry

  Allies: Karim “Kar” Haleem Khalid

  Leo Mateo Chavez

  Niklaus “Nik” Michael Reed

  Elimination deadline: April 9th

  Interesting. He was only two years older than me; something I did not anticipate. I only had approximately two months to gain his trust too.

  Further down the page, it contained the address he was last spotted at. As I flicked through the pages, I discovered there were also files about each of his allies with grainy pictures of each of them paperclipped to the corners. Their last known addresses were listed as well. Boss was practically serving me their heads on a silver platter.

  It surprised me when I turned the page to see a picture of a woman named Amelia “Millie” Macie Kim. Who the hell is this? There was barely any information about her: Millie, twenty-four; Karim, Khalid’s girlfriend; and although her home address is unknown, she is frequently spotted at a place called Grayson’s Bar.

  She wasn’t directly involved in the gang but was romantically associated with one of the members. And just like that, I had a possible way in.

  With a scheme already weaving itself together in my mind, I slipped my leather jacket on, pocketed a switchblade, and headed out the door.

  ***

  The seediness of a bar can often be determined by its lack of security. No CCTV cameras in the car park usually isn’t a good sign; but for my plan, it turned out for the better.

  It had been over an hour of waiting, and I was beginning to lose hope. Darkness settled in and the frigid winter breeze was more palpable than ever. Ice gradually crept its way up the windows of my car as if trying to find a way inside. Although tempted to turn up the heater, I knew it would just make it all the more jarring when I stepped outside.

  Finally admitting defeat, I was about to start the engine to drive home when a car pulled into a space and a familiar woman stepped out.

  The photograph in my file hadn’t done her justice. Elegance practically radiated from her, and the way she walked with absolute purpose made her presence unmissable. What she was doing at a bar like this was a mystery to me.

  My eyes followed her as she made her way into the bar as the door closed behind her. Only then did I leave my car and approached hers. Ensuring no one was around, I retracted a switchblade from my jacket and pelted it into her front tyre. Air instantly hissed from the tyre as it deflated at a rapid speed. The switchblade was stored away in my vehicle before I neared the bar and stepped inside.

  Cigarette smoke veiled the room in a thick fog, making it difficult to spot her. Luckily, her ginger hair shone through like a lighthouse beacon. She was sitting on a stool at the bar with a drink in hand. Weaving my way through the crowd, I stood beside her and leaned my body over the bar to catch the bartender’s attention.

  “Hey, someone’s tyre has been slashed,” I said, deliberately raising my voice to ensure Millie heard me. “A black BMW.”

  As Millie’s head shot round to face me, her finger wave curls bounced over her shoulder. “Did you say a BMW? Is it a 7 series?”

  I shrugged with faux innocence. “Maybe?”

  Grabbing her bag, she practically leaped from the stool. “Show me.” Without waiting for an answer, she stormed out the building and then I followed behind her.

  We both entered the car park as she made a beeline to her car. As she sighed harshly, a cloud of fog escaped her red lips. “What the hell? I’ve only been in there for like two damn minutes!”

  “Maybe ask for security footage, and we can find out who did it,” I suggested.

  “They don’t have cameras. It’s one of the reasons I always come here in the first place.” She groaned, squatting to further assess the damage. “I can’t believe this.” Standing up, she fished into her bag to pull out her phone. “I’m gonna have to call someone . . . roadside assistance or something.”

  “No way!’ I interjected. “I can fix it for you. I’ve got a jack stand and wrench in the boot of my car.”

  Her hazel eyes flicked up to meet mine. “Seriously?”

  With a smile, my head tilted to one side. “Us girls gotta look out for each other, right?”

  Her eyes narrowed as she watched me suspiciously. “What’s the catch?”

  I laughed before heading towards my car and opening the boot. “No catch! Just let me help you.” I retrieved the jack stand and wrench and carried them to the BMW. Rolling up my sleeves, I placed the jack under the car and began to pump it.

  Millie’s stare burned through the back of my head. “How do you know how to change a tyre?”

  The wheel’s nuts loosened more and more with each twist of the wrench. “Every woman should know how to change a tyre.”

  She paused. “I’m Millie, by the way.”

  I grunted as I pulled the wheel from the car. “Hunter. Where’s your spare?”

  “Spare? Oh! In the boot.” The car chirped as she unlocked it and opened the boot, hauling the tyre out and rolling it to me.

  Inky black oil coated my hands as I attached the new wheel and reapplied the nuts. Letting the jack down, I stood up and cracked my back. “All done.”

  “Thank you so much.” Millie gushed and retrieved a petite packet of wet wipes from her bag. The smell of lemon grew pungent as soon as she removed a wipe and passed it to me. “For your hands.”

  Cleaning the oil off my hands, I shoved the wipe into my pocket and began to walk towards my car. “No problem. It was nice meeting you Millie,” I said as I returned the jack stand and wrench to the boot.

  When I got to my door, she called out from behind me. “Wait!”

  I bit back the knowing grin that tried to slide onto my face and replaced it with a naïve pout as I turned around. “Hmm?”

  “Let me buy you a drink.”

  With a breathy laugh, I shook my head. “That’s really not necessary.”

  “Oh please, there’s no need to be bashful. It’s the least I can do.”

  I took a step towards her. “I wouldn’t wanna impose.”

  “You’re not. I’m offering. Buying a drink for a beautiful woman is no skin off my back.” The way she looked me up and down gave me a whole new deck of cards to play with.

  With gaze lowering to my feet, an embarrassed smile crept its way onto my face. When my eyes met hers again, I shrugged. “Sure. One drink.”

  We reentered the building together and sat at the bar. I made sure to sit right at the end, next to a wilting large plant.

  Millie summoned the bartender over. “A daiquiri for me and—what do you want, Hunter?”

  “I, uh . . . the same.”

  “Put it on my tab, Ed,” she instructed as the bartender retreated. “So Hunter, I haven’t seen your face around here before.”

  “Yeah, I just moved here. Fresh start and all,” I explained.

  She nodded, leaning on the bar. “How are you liking the area?”

  Our drinks were handed to us. Sipping on the rim of the glass, I continued to watch her. “I’m liking it a lot.”

  Hours later, our cocktails evolved to shots. Despite soberness escaping her, Millie still managed to hold herself with a surprising amount of grace.

  “Okay,” she started. “One, two, three!” Her head tipped back to down the drink.

  Like each shot before, I swiftly emptied my glass into the plant pot beside me.

  “You know, Hunter,” she slurred, “you’re so right. Every woman should know how to change a tyre. You need to teach me how!”

  “I’d love to. Maybe when we meet up again,” I said with a suggestive smirk. It was then that I found a way to steer the conversation. “It’s a must-know. Honestly, it saved my arse more times than I can count. I really can’t afford a mechanic or anything at the moment. Money’s tight, you know?”

  Her hand rested atop of mine. “It is?”

  My eyes trailed from her hand up to her pale arms mottled with freckles, then to the navy-blue strap
of her dress that fell off her shoulder, and to her structured cheekbones until they finally met her concerned gaze. “Yeah. Things aren’t great for me right now. Main reason I had to move. It was just too expensive where I lived. I’ve been looking for a decent job around here for a while, but no luck so far.”

  She squeezed my hand. “I wish I could help.”

  “It’s crazy. I’m at a point where I’d do anything to get by. I used to be a dealer in my old town. I’d go back to that if I had to.” My hand slapped over my mouth as if attempting to shove the words back down my throat. “I shouldn’t have said that. I think I’ve had one too many.” I laughed nervously, nodding at our empty glasses.

  Her face remained neutral as she began to lean in. At first I thought she wanted to kiss me, but she stopped short. Looking around to ensure no one was listening, she spoke in a low voice.

  “Between you and me, I know some people in this . . . club. Let’s call it. They’re pretty low on members at the moment, and I think they’re looking for some new people.”

  Digging through her bag, she retrieved a crumpled old receipt and pen. The pen glided across the paper, and she slid it over to me. The sloppy, drunk handwriting was barely readable, but I didn’t need it to be Harlen Wright’s address. I already have that in my file. “Tell them Millie sent you, or else you’ll get laughed out the house.”

  With an appreciative smile, I pocketed the receipt. “Cheers.”

  I was already thinking of a subtle way to get out of there when Millie checked her watch and swore. “Shit. I have a thing right now.” She paused. “I’m meeting someone here. I know this is super rude, but can you—”

  “Yeah no worries! I was gonna call it a night anyway,” I said, waving her off. “You got me hammered, girl.”

  Laughing breathlessly, she tucked a loose curl behind her ear. “Until we meet again, Hunter.”

  Sending her a curt nod, I left the building and fell into the seat of my car. I pried open the glove compartment where my gun lay hidden and tucked it into the small of my back. Inputting his address into the GPS on my phone, the engine rumbled to life.