Serpent Twins: The Fall

The Missing Hearts

Kimberly’s POV:

“Hi. Shall we go?” I smiled to Dylan after opening my door for him. 

He looked strikingly handsome with fitted grey shirt underneath a brown leather bomber jacket and black denim pants. He bent and kissed my cheek, rubbed my back softly.

“Let’s go. You look beautiful and hungry,” he grinned and grabbed my shoulder to get close to his body. 

I squirmed and sheepishly smiled.

“Let me lock the door first, Dylan.” I bit my lips, knowing that we dressed up kind of matching, as I wore a grey oversized roll neck cashmere sweater with skinny black jeans and over the knee leather wedge heel boots. 

“Miss Vanderwood?” I turned around hearing unfamiliar voice calling at my name.

“Yes?” I replied. 

My eyes met with a tall beautiful woman with dark eyes and a sleek pony tail for her raven hair. She was wearing a black blazer with pants with stylish red pumps.

“Hi. I’m Alessandra,” she smiled warmly.

Then I froze after recognizing the same paper bag I gave to Nicholas in her hand. I looked up to Dylan.

“I’m sorry, may I have a minute with her inside?” I asked him.

He smiled and lightly brushed my arms, “Sure, Babe. I’ll be waiting here.”

I awkwardly smiled and opened the door for the woman. Once we both were inside, I turned to her.

“Please have a seat over there,” I offered her to the living room, but she shook her head and politely smiled.

“I’m good, Miss Vanderwood. Thank you. Please allow me to make this quick. I’m personal shopper for Mr. Alexander Mircea. I’m here to return the item. Please kindly accept this,” she handed over the bag.

I let her hand hanging in the air, “Look, Alessandra? I don’t want to make it difficult for you, but I can’t accept it. I already returned it.” 

“I’m very sorry, Miss Vanderwood. I don’t mean to disrespect you but it’s already yours. I’ll get trouble if you returned it again. The boutique had to fly the piece for almost sixteen hours from Hong Kong as they didn’t have it here and we had to pay extra two hundred grands for cutting off the line and laser engraved, it’s yours, Miss,” she gave me merciful look and came to put the bag handle into my palm.

“No, I still can’t,” I tried to reject, but her cold hands startled me a little.

“There’s a note from Mr. Mircea inside. Please excuse me. Have a good evening, Miss Vanderwood,” she smiled and just left me.

I looked at her back and then the bag in my hand. I didn’t know that the watch was engraved, so I curiously opened the bag and the watch box. I carefully took the watch from its dark blue pillow cushion and checked for the back side.

inima mea îți aparține,K.J.V.

I couldn’t properly pronounce the italic words as I didn’t recognize the language, but I surely know the initial K.J.V. most likely stood for my name, Kimberly Jean Vanderwood. I put back the watch and reached for the note she mentioned before. I found a blank ivory envelope inside the bag, took the envelope and tore its dark grey wax seal behind to retrieve the letter inside.

“Kimmy?” I heard Dylan’s voice. 

I discarded the envelope into the bag, put it on the table, folded the letter into small square, then put it into my black purse. I went out, closed the door, and smiled to Dylan.

“Is everything okay?” he asked curiously.

I nodded and smiled at him, “Yes.”

He probably knew I didn’t tell the truth, but he was just quiet and held my hand to the elevator banks.

øøøøø

We arrived at Madison Square Garden at 06:25 p.m., the game started at 08:00 p.m. Dylan has asked me before if it’s okay for us to grab dinner inside the MSG as we didn’t have much time. But soon after entering special side entrance, a very friendly personal escort in dark suit and tie welcomed and introduced himself as Nathan offering us with dining options between two suites, I realized that we weren’t going to grab my favorite Sausage and Chips or Nachos at regular stands as I expected before.

“Do you want to dine and mingle with celebrities, Babe?” he whispered on my ear.

I sheepishly chuckled and nodded. Although I love common entertainments, I’m not so into celebrities, but I wasn’t going to lie that I was curious with their interactions behind the camera.

“Suite two-hundred, then,” Dylan smiled to Nathan and held my hand, following Nathan to the VIP lounge.

It was pretty quiet inside when we arrived so we directly went to the extravagant buffet and took our seat facing up to the window. 

“Looks like we’re early birds here. How can you get into the famous celebrity suite, Dylan?” I asked him softly.

Then I saw two famous actors walked inside and smiled to everyone, including me.

“Well, my family and I are patrons for several charities. That’s my case here as I’m not A-list celebrities who were picked by name status, either I pay or donate some. I opted both as I don’t do freebie and if donation for a good cause, well why not,” he told, biting his chicken sandwich.

“I doubted for the ‘some’ word could be a good reference for the big fat checks you spent,” I giggled for his cockiness and forked soba in my savory chicken salad.

Dylan licked his lips which was smeared with spicy samba mayo, “I couldn’t stand with the way you said the words big fat, Babe.”

I rolled my eyes, “That’s because you’re a perv, Dylan.”

He laughed, “Hey, I’m going to grab hotdogs, do you want something, Kimmy?” he asked.

“A yoghurt will be nice,” I answered.

He got up and smiled, “Sure, Babe. No problem.”

I looked around, munching my salad slowly when my eyes met dark brown eyes woman with blonde hair. She was walking from the open bar with a glass in her hand. I smiled at her before realizing that she’s Lauren Miller. She is so fair and quite tall and even taller in her high heels. My heart started to race when her heels clicking closer. She then took a seat in front of me.

“Hi,” she greeted, but not warmly.

“Hi,” I greeted back and awkwardly smiled.

“So, you’re here with Dylan,” she stated.

I didn’t nod nor answer as my mouth was fully occupied by the chicken salad and when Dylan showed up with full hands, Lauren got up and hugged him, trying to give him kiss on his cheek. Dylan bent only a little and gave me silent commented what the f**k from her back. I shrugged my shoulder and grinned at him. Dylan took a seat next to mine and gave me the yoghurt.

“Thank you,” I muttered softly. 

He smiled.

“So, aren’t you going to introduce us, Dylan?” Lauren, still stood in front of us, watching with impatient look.

“This is Kimberly Vanderwood,” Dylan told her coolly, without standing up.

I got up and shook her hand, “Kimberly.”

But she just gave me a stiff smile and didn’t answer, so I let go off her hand and went back to sit. She took a seat in front of us. A moment later, a handsome man came to her, giving a quick lip lock and took a seat next to her. He then noticed Dylan’s presence and frown to Lauren, but she ignored him. I forgot his name, but he’s a quite famous singer.

“So, Kimberly. Are you Dylan’s new girlfriend?” she asked to me, sipping from her glass.

I almost rolled my eyes at her, hearing such blunt question from stranger.

“Wish me luck. I have asked her for weeks, but she hasn't answered yet,” suddenly Dylan replied for me.

I could see that Lauren’s upper lip curled in disdain and gave me unbelievable look, then gave me a look from pointy boots until my curls. I sighed. This situation went awkward and their immature behaviors made me loosing appetite, so I just put my half salad on the plate and took the yoghurt instead.

“I see. What does she do?” she asked to Dylan, like I wasn’t there.

“She’s a surgeon,” he answered short and then eat his hotdogs, “Babe, aren’t you going to finish the salad?” Dylan asked me with his full mouth.

I chuckled and quickly finished my yogurt. Dylan wiped his mouth with tissue and offered me half of his hotdogs.

“Do you want some? I want to finish your salad.” 

Did he try to play PDA in front of Lauren?

“Sure,” I replied and took his hotdogs, but merely because I saw kimchi in it, not because I wanted to play along. Dylan took my leftover and eat it.

The hotdogs tasted even better than the chicken salad. I took a tissue from the desk, to wipe any leaking hot mustard. A bartender in dark vest came bringing a bottle of wine with empty glasses for us.

“The wine, Miss?” he asked and I gratefully nodded.

I sipped my wine when catching Lauren’s partner blue eyes shamelessly roaming at my chest and thigh. So, I looked down to see whether I stained my sweater, but I didn’t. 

What an asshole.

Dylan grabbed my hand and got up, “Are you done, Kimmy?” he asked.

I nodded and he grabbed my purse with the free hand. I gave a light nod to the pair as Dylan rudely left without a word, clenching his jaw.

“Dylan, please slow down,” I shook his grip. 

He then stopped to pull me closer and held my shoulder as we descend to the lower level with Nathan ushering us to the seats which were located at the famous celebrity row, the courtside first row. 

“Please don’t hesitate to order something from the suite’s hostess. Now would you please excuse me. Have a good time and enjoy the game, Mr. and Mrs. Knight,” Nathan politely left.

The pre-game warm up has already started with players practicing shooting, layups, etc. It was exhilarating to hear the sound of their swish, rim-rattler, and sneaker squeak so close. 

God.

 I fixed my sitting posture on the black seat, unconsciously holding Dylan’s arm to calm my nervousness. He leaned closer.

“Do you want to have water, popcorn, or else, Kimmy?” he whispered to my ear.

“Perhaps later,” I shook my head.

“Look, I’m sorry we had to leave the suite earlier. I wouldn’t stand another minute without punching that jerk in the face,” he told, pulling me closer.

I blinked my eyes, trying to digest his meaning. So, he saw what significant other of his ex-girlfriend did. He wrapped my shoulders and stared at me deeply.

“Let’s just hope they won’t sit right next to us,” I chuckled.

“I don’t think so. They have seating arrangement on who is sitting next to who, to prevent catfight,” he said with a chuckle and suddenly got up and shook his hand to two people who just arrived. 

I couldn’t hear him clearly, but I could see those men are A-list rappers. I shook their hands too to as Dylan introduced me to them. 

When I looked at the rows behind, I saw more celebrities and influencers with their partners started to fill in the seats. Lauren and her singer partner also came to sit at the front row, but several seats apart from us. I bet Dylan and Lauren’s attendance will feed the media tomorrow. I sighed. 

Glenn told me that almost everyone knew I started dating Dylan Knight after online press release displayed picture of us at Senator Benjamin’s charity event. Although I was written as Dylan Knight’s mysterious date, someone in the hospital already spread rumor that I even went for holiday trip with him during my leave. I tried to ignore as mostly their reaction was positive, assuming that it was love at the first sight for us. I held my small purse tight, remembering the letter from Alexander.

“Hi, how are you?” someone came with a friendly sultry voice only from few inches away. 

I turned to my left side and instantly recognized her as the new angel of famous lingerie line who was dating Amber’s crush, a former child actor turned into the ‘it’ Brooklyn’s brewmaster. 

My, Amber will go crazy later. 

She ships Dylan Sprouse and Barbara Palvin so much.

“Oh, hi. I’m good. How are you?” I smiled widely and shook her hand and the handsome boyfriend who wore a light brown cap.

“This my first time here, so I’m kind of nervous,” she laughed.

I nodded and laughed, “Likewise. This is Dylan Knight,” I lightly elbowed Dylan who was talking with the rapper.

“Are you coming for The Nets?” I asked her after Dylan shook her and the boyfriend.

They laughed for sharing similar name.

“We’re here rooting for both,” she cheerfully smiled. 

She is so beautiful and genuinely cute, her long legs wrapped in skinny jeans are lean and sexy. She only wore a blue hoodie and her shoulder-length hair was in pony tail, but she looked effortlessly beautiful. 

Dylan widely grinned and whispered to me, “Finally, I could see celebrities you like, someone with exactly my name.”

“My friend adores the pair so much,” I told him, giggling seeing the cute couple next to me was welcoming another famous couple, a handsome NFL player with his beautiful wife, the former angel-supermodel. They didn’t bring their children and looked still very much in love. 

A suite’s hostess came bringing two paper cups and two bottles of water for us. Dylan took them and gave one each to me. 

“I hope you don’t mind I ordered hot tea for us,” he said it loudly as the NBA sound and the legendary voices of play-by-play announcer and color commentator rhyming in the arena.

“Thank you,” I responded, feeling grateful. 

I took a sip and placed the cup and the water bottle under the seat and let Dylan hold my hand, staring at me with his blue eyes, I could see twinkles in his eyes. I smiled at him and he titled his face and lightly brushed my lips with his.

“I’m in love with you, Kimmy,” he said it to my ear, just before the horn sounded, signaling tip-off.

øøøøø

We went to the private restroom in different suite as prior one, soon after the buzzer sounded and the Knicks City Dancers did cheerleading routine on the break time. I was smiling, still really felt being part of the crowd energy. My smile slightly faded recalling of what Dylan said before the arena filled with cheering and jeering on both sides. He said nothing after kissing the bridge of my nose. Even during quarter time, we didn’t discuss about it, as he kept teasing me about two of my favorite players that night, Mario Hezonja of Knicks and Joe Harris of Nets. 

I was washing my hands when someone called me.

“Kimberly?”

It’s my neighbor, Elena something? I didn’t recall she gave me her last name. I smiled at her, genuinely surprised. She gave me a light peck on my cheek.

“Hi, Elena, right? What a pleasant coincidence. Are you cheering for Knicks too?” I asked, putting a soap on my hands.

“Well, I previously live in Brooklyn, so I’m here for both, I supposed,” she smiled, I noticed that she has very pretty green eyes.

“Are you here with someone?” I asked.

“No. I went alone,” she replied.

“If you’re not driving, perhaps you can hitch us later,” It’s probably rude not asking to Dylan first, but since we’re not going anywhere after the game as I will have surgeries tomorrow morning, I think Dylan won’t mind.

“I took a cab here and I don’t want to disturb your date, Kimberly,” she shook her head, “I saw you in the scoreboard, by the way.”

I chuckled, “No, it’s fine. We’ll just head home right after the game ended. Here, please give me your number,” I gave her my phone so that she could store his number.

She took it and stored his number into my contacts.

“I guess I’ll see you at the VIP North Entrance later?” I smiled at her, drying my hands with the tissue.

“Thank you, Kimberly,” she smiled.

“My pleasure, Elena,” I waved to her and went out the in-suite restroom, bumped into another beautiful A-list actress who has just won awards early this year, Alicia Smith.

“Hello,” she greeted me warmly.

“Hello,” I smiled sweetly to her and met Dylan at the hallway, speaking through his phone. He motioned me to wait.

“I already gave my testimony in front of my legal team...” he listened with quirked eyebrow. 

“Sure, please do visit my office tomorrow morning,” he hung up and held my hand.

“Any problems?” I asked, feeling concerned with his tight and worried eyes.

“Kimmy, you’re in the ER that night, so you probably already knew about the three people with missing hearts brought in with me? They found similar case of unidentified man with missing heart in the Hudson River thirty-one years ago and also eleven more bodies within and across the states for the last fifty years,” he told me quietly.

I closed my mouth in shock, “So, that’s not really a car crash?” 

“They thought it was an attempted murder on me,” he said.

“Dylan, I haven’t thought about it as many things happened since that night and to be honest, the thought of such heinous murder did happen in the city scared me. I mean, what kind of sick person collecting hearts from dead bodies?” I shivered a little, he tightened his grip on me.

“I saw the autopsy report and I hope they were all dead before,” he sighed.

I didn’t comment on how he knew so much or got to see the autopsy report as the answer was pretty obvious, either connection or illegal private’s investigation. Information from him triggered scary questions in my mind. 

What kind of tool the killer used to take the out the heart? 

I still remembered the torn chests were brutally uneven, so I doubt if he used sharp object like knife. If the unsolved cases were already existed for fifty years ago, how old is the killer? 

Did he get any help? 

There was no way one person, especially old one was capable to do such thing to two big men and a woman in such short time.

“So, whoever did it is still on the loose. What if they were coming after you again, Dylan? Do you have enemies? Could they be like hitmen?” I asked.

He raised my chin up, “I’m going to be fine, Kimmy. It’s you that I was worried about now that we’ve seen in public together. Can I let one of my security be with you, at least to pick up and drop you off?”

I shook my head, “That’s not necessary, Dylan. I’m going to be fine too. But, thank you.”

“Just think about it first, Kimmy. I want to have a piece of mind knowing that someone was protecting you,” he stared at me pleadingly, trying to convince me.

“I know, but that will be too much for me, Dylan. Let’s just leave the topic now, please?” I asked and removed his hand from my face and held it, “Let’s just go back to our premium seats,” I chuckled and dragged him softly.

“Just promise me, you will think about it first, Kimmy?” he was being stubborn.

“Okay, I will. But I can’t promise anything, Dylan,” I told him.

Elena’s POV:

I texted Peter to report that the Feds have started to link cold cases of missing hearts with recent case related to the crown prince’s security escorts. I also texted Aric that I was about to go back to apartment with the subject. I could feel he was in the building, but I could see him nowhere. Peter has separately assigned Aric and I to stealthy follow the female subject anywhere, to report any interactions she made, and to protect her from danger, if necessary. But I was specifically ordered to make friendly contact with her.

Seeing the subject with male human went on the arena’s scoreboard several times made me to wonder about the assigned task I was into. Peter didn’t say anything more about the subject, except that she is a very valuable person to Prince Nicholas. 

If she is so valuable in terms of what I was thinking of, how Prince Nicholas will react seeing those pictures I sent to Peter? 

It was pretty obvious that the subject and her male partner are in romantic relationship although I could still see awkwardness from the subject. Just like any female vampires, I would be so envy if the subject turned out to be the prince’s significant other. 

But isn’t it a bit ironic when he didn’t date peasant but having interest on mere human? 

Ones who dare to defy or even laugh at our prince would be heartless literally. I already asked to Peter why not kidnapping the subject instead of spying on her, but he scowled at me defiantly, telling such question would turn my position into servant, the lowest rank of our kind.

I got up from my seat and went to the exit when seeing the pair was on the move to our meeting spot when I sensed familiar’s presence. As I turned to my left, I recognized one of the guard for the crown’s prince.

“Fuckoff, you’re smelling like a rotten meat here,” I scoffed and tried to leave.

Lucas held my arm tight and came even closer with a grin, “Let’s go to your place, Babe. I couldn’t stop staring at your delicious bod.”

“In your dream, Dipshit!” I gritted my teeth and jerked at his touch.

“Oh, come on, Babe. It’s been months since the last time we f****d. Don’t you miss me too?” he whispered it on my ear, his other hand moved slowly onto my spine.

“I was working here, Dumbass. You’re going to lose your head any minute if you dare to obstruct my job,” I warned him, trying to suppress my desire on him. 

I hate him so much, he’s a total cheater, but he was my best fuckbuddy for years before I caught him in bed with another.

“Oh, f**k. Your filthy mouth turned me on now. Fine, I’ll be waiting at your place,” he smugly said and left in the crowd.

I smirked, knowing that he didn’t know that I have moved out. 

But why he’s here? 

I doubted if he suddenly had interest on basketball. 

Did he follow me? 

I hope Aric didn’t see us or I will get into trouble later as I’m not allowed to associate with other royal’s guards unless being ordered so. I moved out from the VIP crowd to the meeting point.

Dylan’s POV:

Hi. Kimmy, are you sleeping? I’m still awake, thinking about you. I can’t wait to see you again tomorrow night.Winking face emoji. Sleep tight. Smiling face with halo.

I put the phone back and went to my bathroom, opened the cabinet and grabbed a bottle of Valerian-root extract in capsules from Sarah, then took it with tap water. I was staring at my damp hair, thinking that I should dry it first before going to bed to avoid headache. But instead of getting the hairdryer from the drawer, I touched my belly and saw the reflection on the mirror, me with a towel hanging low on my hips. I still have those packs. The surgery scar was minimal, but my left shoulder’s suture left more visible scar as it was uneven cut at first place. Doctor said that I could undergo laser therapy to reduce the scar in the next three weeks, so I already booked appointment with mom’s plastic surgeon. But instead of getting scar reduction, what I really want was starting my crunches training, which I’ve been strongly advised to do it minimum twelve weeks post-surgery, so I have to be okay with low impact exercises first, same time with my laser therapy later.

I yawn and took out the hairdryer and started drying my hair with droopy eyes. Either it was because already late or the capsule was working. I turned off the hairdryer and put it back into the drawer, then went to my walking closet to get dressed. After getting dressed in a shirt and boxer, I went to my bed and checked my phone for one last time. I smiled, knowing that I got my message replied.

Hi. I’m still up, but about to sleep now. You should too, Dylan.

Thank you for taking me to the basketball game. I really had so much fun tonight. Folding hands emoji. See you again soon.

My heart feels warm. I put the phone on my nightstand and closed my eyes with a smile on my lips. I quickly drifted into the darkness. 

øøøøø

“Sir, the Feds are here,” Maya’s voice echoing from the wireless intercom.

“Please send them in, Maya,” I replied

A man and woman in dark suits came in shortly after, introducing themselves as Special Agent Krasinski and Fanning.

“What can I do, Agent Krasinski?” I asked after having them sat at my private meeting room inside my office.

“As our previous conversation, Mr. Knight. We would like to confirm about what happened the night of the crash, was there anything unusual happened before?” Agent Krasinski asked.

Fragments of memory during the damned night was instantly flashing in my mind, but I still couldn’t find anything unusual happened before the crash. Well, unless…

“I don’t know if this is related or not, but my driver, Zachary, was on errand that night, so I had my security drove the car for me and he was slightly late to get the car to the lobby. It’s not the late that I found it strange, although he’s never been late before, but his strange behavior,” I said.

“How strange?” Agent Fanning asked.

“He kept glancing at me, like being anxious or something. He’s well-trained ex-marine, so his behavior caught my attention. Just before he said he had something to tell, bum! I couldn’t remember the rest and woke up the next day,” I told.

This gave me an idea to check the camera footages in the parking area whereas Dayton was parking that night.

“Do you have enemy, Mr. Knight?” Agent Krasinski asked.

I shrugged my shoulders, “I’m having clean and legitimate business, Agent Krasinski, we might have competitors, but enemy? I don’t think I have one.”

“Even after kidnapping attempt last year?” Agent Fanning asked.

My mind went to the incident last year, the night when I was walking to my car after having squash match with my friend, Antonio, when two gunmen attacked me and tried to shove me into their van. Luckily, Billy acted fast and even shot one of them by the arm, so I could kick them.

“They were just low criminals and already convicted for their crimes. I was lucky to have Mr. Stevens escorting me that night,” I told, looking at the skyline by the glass windows.

“Mr. Stevens, your personal security?” Agent Krasinski asked.

“Yes, Bill Stevens,” I confirmed.

 “I see,” Agent Krasinski nodded and took a note from his pocket.

“Could you tell me why FBI was taking over the case?” I curiously asked.

“We didn’t simply take over the case, Mr. Knight. We’ve been asked due to the NYPD recognized federal charges on the case, linking to some cold cases,” Agent Fanning smiled.

“Right. What federal charges and what cold cases, if I may to ask?” 

“Let’s just say that there were similar incidents happened long before three weeks ago,” Agent Fanning replied.

“You mean, the Hudson River’s in nineteen-ninety-eight and eleven more bodies within and across the states for the last fifty years?” I asked.

“You have the insider source,” Agent Krasinski stated.

“I have Google, Agent Krasinski. Just type ‘missing hearts case’ and Google would do us a favor,” I smiled widely, “But hasn’t it expired already?” I asked.

“Murder has no statute of limitations, Mr. Knight. If some investigations hit a dead end, but crimes had been committed with none of the suspects had been arrested, so evidence had been gathered would be held indefinitely,” Agent Fanning explained.

“So, have you started to look into all related crime scene evidences for DNA forensic?” I asked. 

I know the result might be just added one piece of the puzzle rather than giving the clear answer. Still, I greatly hope DNA profiling can be a game changer to this case just like the Green River case.

“Yes, we have started it,” Agent Fanning answered. 

“Are they already dead when their hearts were taken out?” I asked.

“For the last three victims, yes,” Agent Fanning replied, “And did you know that similar cases also happened in all over the world, especially in Europe?” she asked.

“No, I didn’t. Is there any recent case?” I asked her again.

She shook her head, “Fortunately, no. The last incident was twenty years ago, but anyhow we will start to look into any possible similar cases unnoticed.”

I sighed, feeling a bit relief yet intrigued as whoever did that, is still on the loose. I hope whoever did it knowing that I didn’t see anything so he or they won’t pursue me or anyone near me.

How can I convince Kimberly to let one of my men giving her protection?