Page 28 of His Toy

It wasn’t as simple as killing Heather. Eric’s fellow human wasn’t equal to him, but an object. It was about using her. Building her down into his own creation. Breaking her apart at the seams, until her limits made her want to die. Death as a relief. An object that he would completely destroy.

Which was why Eric had to die.

“What did he do?” she asked. “Why do you look so angry?”

I realized then, that I was staring off with my brows furrowed, my teeth and fists clenched. Wasn’t I the same? I was molding Heather into my creation, a toy ready to distract and disarm, an accomplice in my design. I had intended to toss her aside once I accomplished my goal. I was just like him.

I should tell her. How Eric killed my mother. Made me watch. Scarred me. Left me with the task of living beyond her. Knowing that I would live my whole life ruminating over the ways I had failed her. How I would kill him.

But I couldn’t tell Heather any of that. She was already tangled in this mess. I couldn’t let her fall down deeper into the hole.

Besides, I was already drowning her.

“What’s wrong?” Heather asked. She touched my arm. “Why are you—”

“We’re not friends,” I said, taking my arm from her grasp. “It’s that kind of thinking that will get you killed. Getting comfortable with your captor. Not in this world. Not with me.” I seized her shoulders, her tight swallow showed the fear coursing through her veins. “I could kill you right now if I wanted. No one would know. Do you realize that’s what I do for a living? I eliminate threats. But it doesn’t end there.” I stared into her soul, urging her to see the truth. To see the danger. “Eric is personal. Violence is in my blood.”

The shock held her jaw open, as if to ask if I would really kill her.

I wanted her to live. To survive this agreement. Beyond me.

But she needed to be smart. It was stupid to think she could trust me.

I released my grip. “I can only protect you for so long,” I said.

I grabbed the backpack and glared at her until she stood.

We were silent on the way back.