Our Bloody Flowers

Chapter 8: The wolf in the fold

"We should meet again" Adam announced on the phone. "For the flowers."

"For the flowers, of course. There's no problem with the purchase order though?"

"None it's true, but you will be able to choose the most beautiful shoots directly" He clumsily justified.

"I doubt you'd be the type to ask for your clients to be here for this. Am I right?"

"Mmh, you should still come and see the flowers. Some could be more interesting than others and we could see more specific compositions..."

"Oh I guarantee you, yes, some flowers are more interesting than others, aren't they, Adam?"

He swallowed down the wrong way and coughed a little away from the phone. He was really out of control, so maybe a refresher course wouldn't hurt. Focus, Adam. He pulled up his glasses on the bridge of his nose and resumed in a sarcastic tone.

"Sorry, you were saying? It doesn't matter anyway. Either you come or you go see another florist. I have no time to waste with undecided clients."

"What a mood" He laughed in a low tone. "I won't change florists for anything in the world. You already know that."

"When can you come by? Around 1 p.m., is that good?"

"I can't delegate this early, I can only come from 8:00 p.m. otherwise it will wait until next Monday."

"No, 8 o'clock is fine" Adam lied. "But we'll have to hurry, I don't like to eat after 8 o'clock."

"I won't keep you long then. Tonight at 8:00 p.m., it almost sounds like a date" He declared.

"Almost, you do well to say it, for it is not" He gnashed his teeth.

"Would you accept a date with me?" He asked suddenly.

Adam covered his eyes with shame. Fortunately for him, no one saw him. He was alone in the back of his shop and didn't know how to react to such a direct invitation. Trap him, Adam. He could play that game even if he didn't know the rules. He had to blow on the embers to make little sparks, nothing more.

"Only in your dreams" He replied nonchalantly but not enough to hide the smile in his voice.

"Are you aware that you can make my dreams come true? You have great power."

"Mmh, I'll see if I use it then. I'll see you tonight."

"I miss you already. See you t..."

Adam hung up the phone at a breakneck speed. He fulminated, his ears red, and hit his hand while resting the phone. He swore, alerting some customers in the shop. The day started badly, very badly for him. He remembered that he was investigating a murderer, that he had to make him think he was a little receptive but not too receptive either. Just bait him enough to strike at the right time. He'd end up holding him with a leash around his neck and pulling it according to his mood.

On the line, Lukas' lips stretched out in a sincere smile. His beautiful lamb loved to play and he wasn't the last to refuse a game. He himself had made his big board, his pawns and his rules so unfortunately his poor lamb had no chance of getting out. His thirst sometimes tickled his throat as he was eager to break his neck. Lucky he had self-controlled like no other. No prey escaped him, especially not this one. Not when the noose was tightening so tight. He wanted to see his blue eyes scared, go from boredom to sudden terror. He wanted to feel his pulse beating and his hair bristling against his skin. He'd honor every part, not waste any crumbs. His feast was waiting for him tonight, it was almost too easy. He would not attack him today, but another opportunity gave him a helping hand and he intended to seize it.