Page 138 of Kiss of Deceit

The silence lingered as I waited to see if he’d take my warning seriously. Apparently, he believed me, because he didn’t say another word. With a grin, I shifted on my feet, staying crouched. I doubted he would attempt anything as long as I kept the knife on him.

“Did you bond with Tristin and Lucas because of your pasts?”

“What?”

“Answer the question.”

“We met at the bar one night. Talked about what we were in prison for,” he gritted out. “That’s how we became friends.”

“Did you have anything else in common with them?”

“I don’t know.”

I dug the tip of the blade into his skin, earning a groan of pain as blood began staining his sweatpants. “That’s not an answer.”

Panic swept across his features. “I…we play video games.”

I spared a glance at the clock on the wall. I’d already been gone an hour, and I needed to hurry in case Kole woke up. My stomach twisted as I tried to shake off the unwanted thought. I used to enjoy this part. Where I’d sit with my victims and attempt to pry into their twisted mind—to figure out why they committed such atrocious acts.

Yet, I wasn’t fully into it like I used to be. I could argue with myself that it had been years since I’d done this. Maybe I was rusty, or not good at it anymore.

None of that was the truth.

Unease flitted through me as I looked back at Monty. I’d rather be in bed with Kole. Killing monsters had always been my high, and there was no denying this was still satisfying. But…it wasn’t sating my craving like it always did in the past.

“Fuck me,” I muttered under my breath, emotions warring inside me.

With everything happening in this town, I shouldn’t be thinking about him, or my feelings. My sole focus needed tobe finding the killer, especially when he had some sort of connection to my past. Yet, Kole was dominating my thoughts just like he had ever since I met him.

“What? I didn’t hear you,” Monty rushed out, fear lacing his voice. “I swear. Don’t cut me again?—”

“Shh,” I quieted him, as I stood back up. “I’m done asking questions.”

Ialmostfelt bad at the relief flooding his face. He was acting far different from the cold-blooded gang member his file portrayed. I gripped the hilt of the knife, watching him relax slightly as I stepped half a step back.

“I still have a lot to do tonight,” I said, making sure to lock eyes with him as I spoke. “I could have chosen someone worse than you. But I’m here tonight for three reasons. The first is you made it personal when you wouldn’t leave me alone. And the second? I know without a doubt you would kill again if you had the chance. The third? You were the easiest target when I’m on a time crunch.”

“Wait, what?” he stumbled out, his voice high. “No, I wouldn’t kill you. I fucking swear?—”

“You would.” I leaned down and stabbed him in the stomach. He blew out a sharp breath, his face a mixture of agony and shock. “Which is why I’m killing you first.”

I pulled the knife out, only to stab him again. Blood poured from his wounds, his energy leaving within seconds. My eyes drifted to the growing red puddle on the floor, an unsettling pit in my stomach. Usually my kills were clean. No mess. No evidence. I didn’t have to worry about that here, not when there wasn’t any forensic technology in this town.

My gloves were enough to keep me from getting caught.

My attention went back to the wall clock, and I watched the seconds tick away as I waited for Monty to take his last breath.

CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE

kole

Dani yawned againbefore reaching over the counter and grabbing her coffee from Hallie. Adella was standing next to me, a coffee already in her hand.

“Dani doesn’t seem as upset as I thought she’d be,” Adella whispered, turning her attention to me. “I thought she wanted to stay.”

“She does,” I muttered. “But Susan isn’t giving her a choice.”

Dani hadn’t put up much of a fight at all this morning. I bit my tongue, curiosity flaring.