My muscles were screaming out in pain, and I smiled, pushing through it. Exercise is the only thing that makes me feel good. Besides slicing throats open and such, of course. As I ran on the treadmill and pushed my body to its limit, I enjoyed the pain it created.

Five minutes left. Every last fiber of my being wanted me to stop, but I couldn't. I loved it. My body was on fire, so I pushed myself harder. I focused on my breathing as my muscles burned an intense, searing burn.

In. Out. In. Out.

I let out a sigh of relief as the treadmill beeped, signaling the end of the workout. The moving belt slowed down to a walking pace for the cool down, and I picked up my towel to wipe the sweat off my face. Focusing on my breathing, I felt my heart rate slowly decrease to normality. If I focused hard enough, it felt as if I could hear the blood rushing through my veins. The thought made me smile.

"I always love to watch you work out," a female voice purred from behind me.

I rolled my eyes as I stepped off the treadmill. This was meant to be my alone time. "What do you want, Tessa?"

Turning to face her, I took the sight before me in. Brunette hair that usually fell in loose ringlets down her back was pulled into a high ponytail, still swinging languidly. She was dressed in a neon green sports bra that wonderfully complemented her olive complexion, and black compression shorts. I made a note that her nipples were erect, showing through the spandex fabric, and I felt something stir within me. Her gray eyes sparkled seductively, as if she wore that outfit specifically for my benefit.

Tessa walked up to me and ran her fingers up my arm. "You, always."

I shied away from her touch. "I don't have time for this right now."

Her eyes lit up in amusement, and I knew she wasn't going to take no for an answer. "Oh?" she asked, her mouth forming a fake pout.

Walking over to a free area of the gym, she bent over, beginning to stretch.

I raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing?"

"Hm? I'm just stretching baby," she responded, lowering herself into a split. She knew exactly what she was doing. It was working too.

I clenched my fists and took a few deep breaths, watching as she continued to stretch. Her petite body was nicely toned, and she had curves in all the right places. She made sure to display all her assets as she twisted and bent into various positions. I felt a fire start burning deep within me, and I couldn't ignore her antics anymore.

"Come here," I called out to her softly.

She stood up and walked over to me slowly, a triumphant smile plastered on her face. I clenched my jaw. I shouldn't be so easily swayed. Wrapping her arms around my neck, she leaned in to give me a kiss. I grabbed her chin before she could, turning her head roughly and placing a kiss on her neck. She groaned.

"Please, she begged, her eyes darkened with lust.

"Don't speak." I grabbed her arm and led her out of the gym, into the locker room. I was going to be a little late to work today.

-

As soon as I walked into the office, incessant chatter filled my ears. I was comforted by the sound of ringing phones, the clicking of keys, and the sounds of heels clicking against the floor as people ran around getting stuff done. It all sounded like organized chaos. The pearl walls and glass offices gave everything a sleek, crisp look.

Walking into my office, I put my personal belongings away in the closet provided and sat behind my desk. I powered on my computer so I could start my work for the day.

"Tsk tsk. Someone was late this morning," a voice I dreaded scolded.

I ground my teeth. "Mr. Dunn, we spoke about you coming into my office uninvited." I forced the words out slowly and carefully.

"You can call me Adam, you know that Piper. Plus, you left the door open, i figured that was invitation enough.

I made a mental note to keep my door closed from now on. "Ms. Steele," I corrected. "And calling you by your first name perpetuates the vibe that we are friends instead of coworkers. You were not invited into my office. Please leave."

Adam laughed. "Now, what kind of friend would I be if i left you all by yourself?"

"You would be a respectable coworker," I growled.

He ignored me, walking over to my desk and sitting down. He opened his mouth, but before he could speak, I stood up and walked out of my office, making sure that I hit his shoulder with mine. He followed behind me.

Adam let out a low whistle as we walked. "Your butt looks amazing in those pants."

Whipping around, I grabbed his suit roughly. "What you're doing is called sexual harassment. I'd be careful if I were you," I warned in a stern whisper.

His eyes went wide with fear, maybe even with a spark of excitement, and I was beginning to see red. I wanted nothing more than to watch the light leave this man's eyes, watch the blood pour out of his body like a river. But, I have to be professional. I was still trying to calm myself down when someone behind Adam caught my attention.

There was a man in the office I had never seen before. He was tall, six feet at the very least, and had blond, shaggy hair. It was unruly, as if he never bothers to run a comb through the thing. He wore a crisp, steel gray suit with a powder blue tie. Though he was dressed as any other man in the office, he had an air of superiority. I watched him laugh with the two other men he stood with.

"Who is that?" I inquired, letting Adam go and fixing myself.

He fixed his tie before he turned around to see what I was talking about."The blond guy? You really don't know who that is?" he asked incredulously.

I shot him a look I wish could kill."Just tell me."

Adam got the hint, clearing his throat. "Right. The man in question goes by Oliver Armstrong, and he just happens to be the COO of Barnett and Armstrong Inc."

He's... an Armstrong? That's Oliver Armstrong?

"Seriously, how did you not know this?"

I resisted the urge to push him into the wall. "Shut. Up."

Oliver looked at me suddenly, most likely feeling my eyes on him. His gaze made me feel...funny. A feeling I couldn't really place. He peered at me for a moment, and gestured at me to come over. I plastered a tight smile on my face and complied.

"You. What's your name?" he questioned.

"Piper Steele, Mr. Armstrong," I responded confidently, but politely.

He gave me a genuine smile. "Ah, so you're the infamous Ms. Steele. I've heard good things about your work ethic."

I rose an eyebrow. "I wasn't aware people were speaking of me."

Mr. Armstrong looked amused. "Remember, someone is always watching."

Nodding, I walked away, back to my office. My hands shook uncontrollably as I tried to get some work done.The urges were coming back. Instead of typing reports, all I could think about was the metallic smell of blood. The warm liquid pouring out of a body. I can't put off these urges for much longer.

-

It was nighttime, and I was in the heart of the city. Rain poured down from the sky, sliding down the latex material of my outfit. There were few people on the street, and the people that were walking briskly to get to a dry space. It was perfect.

I already found who I wanted. He was a wiry guy with glasses similar to those of a stereotypical nerd. His jacket was pulled over his head as he rushed to find a spot away from the rain. I've been following him since he left his girlfriend's place.

The pair was outside when I found them, arguing loudly.

"Baby please, calm down!" the brunette pleaded.

"I told you I didn't want you talking to that man again!" his voice was laced with venom.

"He's my neighbor Danny, I was just being a nice person!" she tried to reason with him.

There was a loud crunch as his fist connected with her jaw. The brunette screeched and fell to the ground, clutching the side of her face. Danny lifted her off the ground and slammed her into the brick wall.

"If I ever catch you speaking to him again, you will regret it," he spat. He then let her go and walked away, leaving her against the wall, crying.

Now here we were, on a deserted street in the middle of the night. I crossed the street and headed in his direction in order to cut him off.

"Excuse me?" the fake sweetness dripped from my voice, "Can you help me find this address?" I held out my phone to him.

He sighed and grabbed it without looking at me, as if I was inconveniencing him. I felt my hands start to tremble with anger.

When he was successfully distracted, I quickly put on a pair of latex gloves and unsheathed my knife. In a swift movement, I plunged my blade into his stomach and twisted it.

"You think you can put your hands on a woman like that?" I asked threateningly, as he let out a yell of surprise and pain.

"W-what?" he choked out, his blue eyes wide with fear.

"Shut up, you piece of scum." I pulled the knife out of his stomach and snatched my phone, putting it away. Danny clutched his stomach, doubled over in pain.

I held up the blade and watched the blood slowly being washed away by the raindrops. I smiled.

I forced him to stand straight and look me in the eyes.

"Please," he begged weakly.

Smile. "Goodbye Danny," I cooed sweetly as I ran my blade across his neck.