Page 97 of Finding Lexie
Magnus stood and straightened his tie. The slacks and long-sleeve shirt were too hot for this climate, but he had a reputation to maintain. “If you do a good job, I’ll find you afterward.”
“You better,” the man mumbled.
Magnus’s leg shot out. He kicked the guy in the side with all his strength.
The homeless man flew sideways with a cry. Magnus quickly crouched and wrapped a hand around his throat…and squeezed.
The man immediately tried to pry the hand off his neck so he could breathe, but Magnus was too strong. “Don’t fuck with me,” Magnus warned. “Understand?”
The man nodded frantically, his eyes widening with panic as more and more seconds raced by without him being able to get air into his lungs.
Magnus had no idea he’d get such a rush out of this! Seeing the desperate fear in the man’s eyes was a game changer. Made Magnus feel powerful for the first time since Dagmar had died. He’d been powerless for so long, and now he held this man’s life in his hands.
He fucking loved it.
But he also knew he couldn’t kill him. Not now, in the middle of the day. And he still needed him. A healthy dose of fear would make sure he did exactly as he was told.
Magnus let him go with a shove, then stood. He watched with a smirk as the lowlife gasped for air. He turned and headed back down the alley toward the street. Peering out, he once again saw no one looking in his direction.
The way Americans pretended not to see those on the fringes of society would definitely work in his favor. Smiling, and feeling much better than he had even twenty minutes ago, Magnus headed back toward Food For All. He looked down at his hands and flexed them. He could still feel the man’s throat in his palm. It had felt amazing.
But having Lexie fucking Greene under his hands would feel even better.
He had to be patient. Had to set things up so when he left Hawaii, no one would find him the least bit suspicious.
Chapter Sixteen
Lexie was more than ready to head home by the time the mess in the kitchen had been cleaned up. She just wanted to see Midas and not think about anything for a few hours. She slung her purse over her head and walked toward the door.
Angry shouts from outside made her stop in her tracks.
Looking over her shoulder, she saw Jack was nowhere in sight, and Pika had left fifteen minutes ago. There were a few part-time employees around, but they all seemed busy with other people.
“I’ll walk you home,” Magnus said from her right, making Lexie jump in fright.
She chuckled nervously. “I didn’t see you,” she told him.
“I noticed. I would like some time to talk to you anyway. I am sorry I haven’t been able to talk to you much today.”
“It’s okay,” Lexie said. “You’ve been busy. Besides, you aren’t here to hang out with me, you’re here to work. I hope the audit is going okay?”
“It is fine. Come on, it sounds like someone isn’t happy out there. You should get home.”
“Thank you,” Lexie said. She was beyond relieved she wouldn’t have to walk home by herself. Especially with whatever was going on outside.
“Wait here a moment,” Magnus said as he headed for the door. He disappeared out onto the sidewalk, and Lexie shifted nervously where she stood. He was back within two minutes and held out his arm to her.
Lexie hooked her arm with his and they headed out into the humid Honolulu evening. Looking around, she didn’t see anyone who might’ve been making the ruckus she’d heard. Relieved, she glanced up at Magnus. He looked just as prim and proper as he had when he’d arrived earlier. His white shirt was still crisp and his tie was still perfectly knotted. His back was straight as he walked, his gait somewhat stiff.
“What do you think of Hawaii so far?” she asked as they walked.
“It’s hot. And humid,” Magnus said.
Lexie laughed. “Yes, it is. But today was very unusual. It storms in the afternoons a lot, but most of the time they don’t last very long and the sun comes out again. Are you going to get some time to go to the beach or sightsee?” she asked.
“I doubt it. There’s a lot of work to be done for the audit and my plane leaves in three days.”
“Yeah,” Lexie said. She knew his schedule. She wasn’t sure why he hadn’t planned more time. But he seemed much more uptight and…proper than his brother had been. Dagmar had also been businesslike, but Magnus seemed constantly on edge for some reason.
