Page 46 of In You

All the blood drains from her face as she pivots silently on her heel to face the bassinet, deathly still as she looks at the baby boy sleeping inside and then she snaps, lunging for the bed, screaming.

I stand up fast and snatch her by her arms before she even has a chance to get to him, and then haul her to my front, wrapping a hand around her mouth.

She screams into my gloved hand, jerking and thrashing against me as she fights with everything in me to get to him.

She doesn't give up though. We lower to the floor and I wait her out until she's limp in my arm, but still jerking and struggling against me. I put my lips to her ear.

"Go get your kids, take this phone, get in your car, and go to the police station and show them what you've found.

" She breathes hard, her tears slicking over my glove as she whimpers, her red eyes tight on Trevor who's sitting in the bed, bleeding out looking like a fucking sack of shit.

"I know you want to get your revenge, but I need you to understand that I'm going to get it for you.

And I promise you that I'm going to make him pay.

I'll make him pay for all of it, okay? I need you to trust me. "

She shivers.

"Okay?"

She nods.

"When they ask for you to ID the man that broke in tonight, you give them a different description than mine. And you didn't see me at the store."

Nancy gives me another quick nod as she mumbles against my hand and I pull away slowly.

She picks herself up off the floor, limps wearily to the bassinet to grab her baby, and with not even a backwards glance at her husband, she leaves out the door with nothing more than a soft click.

Trevor and I stare at each other while we hear her work to get the kids together.

When we hear the unmistakable rumbling of the garage door going up, I get up and aim my rifle at his head.

"Get up. We're leaving."

An hour later, I haul an unconscious Trevor to my shed and then drop him carelessly on the floor while I work to get the stove going. It's about three in the morning, and the adrenaline courses through my veins so thick and heady that I feel like I could stay awake for a week straight.

I'd knocked him out before throwing him in my trunk, thinking about what I can do to make sure I hold up my promise to his wife and appease this new part of me that craves more than just putting a bullet between his eyes.

I'm excited for the kill.

Elated for getting my woman justice.

I work fast, tying him to a wooden chair by ropes to his legs, torso and arms, then I check the camera, assuring that Tamryn is fast asleep.

She's curled up on the bed sandwiched between Tink and Ringo.

I place my phone on a nearby table and then pull up a chair to sit across from him, thankful it's not long before he comes to.

He squints as he looks around, discombobulated. But then his eyes rise to mine and widen.

"Yup. It's me, motherfucker."

He goes to scream, but I just tilt my head and then wait until he tires himself out.

His face is bright red, saliva smears his mouth and chin and his chest heaves as he strains against the rope binding him to the chair.

When his voice is hoarse from crying for help so long that he chokes, I sigh, shaking my head.

"There's no one here to hear you, you sick fuck."

"Let me go."

"Now why would I do that? You helped torture my woman, you videoed yourself raping a child, and have pictures of you playing with your own son.

" I tilt my head, my brows furrowing. "I guess I'm just wondering why you think you deserve to be set free, to roam the earth like you didn't do unspeakable things to hurt others.

To children. Who can't fend for themselves," I enunciate slowly.

He stares at me, pleading. "I'll change-" he sobs, tears flowing down his cheeks. "Please. Please, I'm sick. I'm sick. I won't do it any more."

I hum, wetting my lip and then reaching over to the small table next to me to pour myself a finger of scotch, my moments slow, deliberate.

"You know, I never give the predators I kill time to beg, and ask for a second chance.

I don't think I like it very much." I toss it back, gasping as I put the cup back down with a thunk, putting narrowed eyes on him.

"A single bullet between the eyes. That's what I was taught. Clean, quick, easy. No fuss."

He weeps, squeezing his eyes shut and then touching his chin to his chest as he cries. "I can change-"

"But with you," I interrupt, folding my arms and spreading my legs.

"Oh, maannn. I just got this itch for more.

" I sigh deeply, shifting my weight in my seat.

I clear my throat and lean forward again, keeping eye contact.

"You know, your wife really impressed me.

She was going to rip you apart with her bare hands.

" I frown. "You've hurt so many people, Trevor.

Nancy deserved to have a husband who loved her.

A husband who wasn't sick with a mind twisted with thoughts about harming people who are defenseless.

But now, all she's going to have are memories of a man she just spent the last twelve years of her life with, wasting her youth on a man who lusts after kids.

" I bring a hand up to scratch the back of my head.

"I mean… you did a bit too much for me to just let you go.

That last picture with your son was really somethin'.

" I huff a humorless laugh, looking to the side.

"And then there's the little fact you hurt my woman.

I can't let you go. What would I look like doing that? I mean, that's fucking crazy."

I bring my eyes to his, lowering and hardening my voice as I lean forward now, staring into his soul.

"You have no clue who you're dealing with," I growl. Trevor breathes hard, his eyes flickering around as he tries to get his bearings. "When I tell you that vengeance is mine, I'm not joking."