Page 12 of Darkest Before Dawn (His Perfect Darkness #2)

“You have everything we know.” I dip my head toward the files. “Letters tie him to the current scene, but this is the first activity from him in decades. He was presumed dead in a fire.”

I explain how the case in Elyria grew until the whole nation was watching. The feds got involved, but the break in the case came from Lacy Collins, who found the Bondage Killer’s hideout in an abandoned warehouse.

Victor speaks up. “You say he’s targeting your girl. What are your plans to keep her safe?”

“She’s currently in lockdown at my estate.”

Damien nods, and I remember he has his own bride. Rumor has it she was reluctant to wed him. Even though she was in danger from multiple factions, she tried to escape him, so he kept her under lock and key for the first few months of their marriage.

I should be disturbed that our methods are so similar, but I understand his reasoning perfectly.

“Is she?” Victor asks. “Maybe we just follow her around and catch the killer when he comes for her.”

“Unacceptable. I won’t allow it.” I fix the assassin with a glare.

“It looks like the good detective has other plans.” Victor flicks his fingers and carefully reaches into his jacket pocket to remove his phone. After a few taps on its screen, he holds it up to show me a picture of Inara in the passenger side of a black armored car.

I stiffen. “When was this taken?”

“A few minutes ago, when she entered the city limits. You’ll need to keep better tabs on her if you’re going to ensure her safety.”

She escaped. Hamish must have helped her. I recognize that car. It’s one I’ve made my own modifications to, so it’s fully autonomous and has anti-surveillance equipment.

I curse, and Victor smiles. “Would you like to know where she is?”

Inara

My day begins in the strangest way possible: with a little robot chirping at me from the foot of the bed.

I rise quickly and realize the bedroom door is unlocked. Rex is gone.

“Alfie?” I greet the robot and it warbles an acknowledgment. “Good morning, Detective. Please dress and follow me.”

I rise from the bed, feeling disoriented. Rex has been a constant presence claiming my days and my nights, and even though I’ve fought it, it feels weird with him not here. Is he somewhere in the mansion, and he just sent Alfie to summon me? Is this a test?

Last night I bared myself to him, and I felt his pain when he said, You’re all I have.

I don’t know where we go from here.

The robot chirps as if urging me to hurry. There are clothes and brown boots for me at the foot of the bed.

I dress quickly and follow it, still half-expecting a trap.

Instead, it leads me through low corridors until we’re walking out of a heavy exit door, straight into a long hangar with concrete floors.

The lights snap on, and I shiver in the chill.

We’re in a garage filled with rows and rows of expensive cars.

Alfie rolls up to a black sports car, and sleek doors open upward, like wings. On the driver’s seat are my purse and jacket.

“I don’t know if I can drive this,” I say.

“Initiate self-driving mode,” Alfie announces, and the driver-side door closes. The car rolls out of its space and automatically comes to a stop beside us.

Oh gods. Do I trust this?

“Welcome, Detective.” The car’s speaker system greets me in a voice that sounds suspiciously like Hamish’s. Is he helping me escape? I have a feeling he’s behind this but is using the robot to cover his tracks.

Still, I hesitate. This car is Rex’s. “Will Rex be able to track this?”

“Initiating stealth mode,” the car responds in a cool voice.

I smile. It’s nice when Rex doesn’t get his way. It happens so rarely that I want to savor it.

Reality descends. There’s a killer hunting in the city. I need to get back there and do my best to stop him.

I guess I’m not in a position to refuse the gift of a self-driving escape vehicle, so I slide into the passenger side, the door closing automatically.

My purse contains all my things, including my badge and gun.

In addition, there’s a clear plastic case marked “For NRPD’s eyes only.

” I’d bet it contains the letters and the lab findings.

Crucial evidence gift wrapped for the department.

I have everything I need to do my job. So why do I feel bereft at the thought of leaving?

“Good luck, Detective,” the little robot warbles and rolls out of the way. The car glides past it and increases speed.

It’s official. I’ve put my trust in a self-driving car to escape a billionaire who’s obsessed with me. What is my life?

At my feet is an insulated container that turns out to hold food—breakfast burritos with salsa verde. There’s a second container with fresh cinnamon buns and a thermos of hot coffee. At least I’ll be able to eat my feelings.

I did enjoy the concept of being taken care of before Rex went too far.

I can’t lose you, he told me. You won’t let me in. You condemn yourself to being alone.

He’s right. But I am who I need to be.

“I’m sorry, Rex,” I whisper and settle in for the long drive.