Page 159 of Distress Signal

Rolling my lips between my teeth, I choked down a laugh.Not the time, Reagan.

“I didnothing!” he shouted, his eyes flashing with anger, the tendons in his neck flexing, jaw muscles jumping as he clenched his teeth together. “Iworshippedher. Gave her everything she could’ve ever wanted. A beautiful home, an intense, all-consuming emotional and physical connection. I was going to ask her to marry me. We were going to build a family.

“When you walked into the Swallow that night, right after I got that letter, looking so much like her, it seemed like the universe was giving me a second chance. And for my trouble, there were two of you!” He laughed, a bit maniacally, and I had to wonder how no one saw the obvious psychosis he suffered from. Apparently, he was a hell of an actor. “So I set my trap, and Lainey walked right into it.”

My sister rolled her eyes and huffed out an annoyed sigh. “I just wanted to get laid.”

“I gave you the most passionate night of your life,” Tuck argued.

“You gave me nothing but an itch that still needed to be scratched. Which I saw to the second we got home.”

Lainey held out her fist for a bump, which I obliged.

Meanwhile, that nighthadbeen the most passionate of mine—until Finn and I reconnected. If he hadn’t flown off to a literalwar zoneafter our night together, I had to admit—the chances were high I would’ve been back for more.

And now, he was all mine for life.

Funny how things worked out.

I thought Lainey’s immodest comments would piss Tuck off, but he appeared calmer than when discussing Nadine and her betrayal.

He continued his story unperturbed.

“I’ll admit, I was a bit disheartened when she completely spurned my advances after that,” he said, talking about Lainey like she wasn’t sitting ten feet away from him, his eyes focused on some middle distance. “But I am nothing if not a persistent man, so I bided my time, hoping she would change her mind. When she didn’t, I’d been forced to take more drastic measures.”

“You’re the ‘couple’ that booked a session with us.”

“Yes, Reagan. And I thought it was going to beyoucoming toDusk Valley. That I’d have to take you and lure Lainey. Imagine my surprise when Lainey showed up instead.”

Though he’d now confirmed my longtime suspicion, I was somehow still surprised by the lengths this man had gone.

“How can you even tell us apart?” Lainey asked.

“I’ve spent years studying you. I could pick you both out in a crowded room with my eyes closed.”

Something oily and…ickysluiced down my spine with his words. I was aware he’d been harassing Lainey with the incessant messages over the years, but I hadn’t been aware he’d beenwatchingus both—studying us like fucking bugs under a microscope. A quick glance at Lainey revealed her to be equally as appalled.

“So now what?” I asked. “You keep us chained in this basement forever like you’ve been keeping Lainey these last few months?”

Tuck chuckled, shaking his head. “Of course not, dear girl. Now that I’ve got you both, we’re leaving Dusk Valley.”

Lainey snorted, and we shared a look, my own thoughts reflected in her eyes.

We’re obviously getting the fuck out of here, right?

I dipped my chin in a barely perceptible nod.As soon as he comes within reach. Do whatever you gotta do to overpower him. Subdue him long enough for Finn to find us.

For now, we had to keep him talking.

“We’re not going anywhere with you,” Lainey said.

“I’m afraid you don’t have a choice.”

With that, he got to his feet and disappeared back upstairs.

“What thefuck?” Lainey hissed. “He’s even more delusional than I thought.”

“We need a plan.” My eyes darted around the room, searching for anything within reach we could use to aid our escape. Of course, Tuck had been thorough in removing any potential weapon from the area.