Page 90 of Hunt Me

“Because there are. I’m just uncertain how. What I do know is that Sebastian Rork is hiding a dark secret and I’m determined to find out what that is.”

As Kazimir sat down at Sergio’s computer, I pulled out my phone, immediately pulling up the internet. Within seconds, I was lost to the search, curious as to why there was almost nothing on Sebastian Rork’s career while working in Los Angeles.

After scrolling several pages on Google, I was beginning to think my search would lead to a dead end.

Finally, one caught my attention.

Connor O’Shaughnessy convicted on voluntary manslaughter.

“Bad news,” Kazimir said, interrupting me. “I managed to get into his system, but there is no doubt it’s been tampered with. Files are locked down tight with no ability to access them. Afew appear scrambled. This is way above my paygrade. Maybe Alessandro could decipher what’s going on. I heard he’s damn good.”

A quiet anger formed in my system, but I was barely hearing him. My mind was elsewhere, twenty-two years before.

“Fine. Call him.” As I took a deep breath, another series of visions rolled into my system like a tidal wave.

I clicked on the link and immediately an article on his arrest and came into view. As I scrolled down the page, a single picture had been inserted in the middle of the article. The moment I zoomed in on the photograph, my blood turned to ice.

I rolled over, protecting every inch of the girl as the blast tossed scraps of building material and metal against my back. Anguish tore through me, but I refused to move, holding the little girl while she wailed and squirmed.

At least she was alive.

As the roar died down, soldiers rushed closer and I could hear the mother’s sharp cry of thank you.

“You saved her. You saved my little baby.”

Just before I blacked out, I lifted my head, unable to focus.

I rolled over, staring up at the night sky as the little girl was whisked from underneath, the man holding her crouching down. “Thank you, son. Thank you for saving our daughter’s life. If there is anything I can ever do for you, please let me know. I’m indebted. I owe you her life.”

While his face was fuzzy, I memorized his features. After tonight, I would forever be known a monster, yet I hadn’t turned into a child killer. For that, I would be grateful.

Just like the man peering down at me, his eyes something I’d never forget.

His identity was unknown, his face unrecognized, but I’d hold the man to his promise. As my father had told me, no good deed ever went unpunished.

CHAPTER 22

Bristol

“Sit there. Be a good girl until I return.”

Be a good girl. That would happen when hell froze over.

The slight flutter in my stomach from his deep voice lingering in my ears was disgusting. I couldn’t believe I was still attracted to him after he’d locked me away like an animal.

He’d pointed to a cot in the corner of the basement and that’s when I’d known that at least half of what he’d told me had been a lie.

My mind and heart were aching as much as my body. Not just from the spanking, but from the emotions that refused to leave me alone. I’d never felt so scrambled in my brain. Hate and lust weren’t supposed to mix in a twisted foray of sin.

A sob threatened to derail me, but I refused to allow it, pressing my hand across my mouth. I hiccupped instead. At least the sound made me laugh.

He’d obviously kept another prisoner in this hellhole. Bad man, my ass. He was a repulsive killer and I planned on bringing him down myself.

If I managed to get out of here alive.

Cold and dark.

I’d never felt so alone or so utterly terrified in my life.