Page 145 of Kiss of Deceit

His eyes flashed with annoyance when I stayed silent, not rising to his bait. He glanced behind me, nodding slightly. I turned my head, following his gaze. I sucked in a breath when the taller masked asshole dragged Kole toward the stairs. I tried to take a step until fingers tightened around my upper arm.

“Do not move,” he ordered, raising the gun in threat.

“Shoot me,” I spat out, absolutely detesting having his hand on me. “You think I’m scared to die?”

My attention shifted when Kole was thrown forward. I caught sight of the zip tie around Kole’s wrists when he twisted his body, letting his shoulder slam into the rails instead of his face.

“Motherfucker,” Kole snarled, trying to climb to his feet. “You fucking?—”

“Shut up,” my monster snapped, his patience suddenly gone, “or I’ll gag you. You’re here for one reason—and it doesn’t involve you speaking.”

My chest tightened when I caught Kole’s gaze. The worry and fury burning in his eyes weren’t for himself, but for me. He was only here because he was important to me. It was my fault his life was being threatened.

“Make sure he can’t interfere,” my monster ordered, sparing a glance at the masked killer who had a gun on Kole.

“If you hurt him, you’ll have nothing to keep me compliant,” I hissed, my heart thrashing wildly.

I would do anything to make sure Kole survived this. He was worth more than my monster’s death—and more than my own life. I’d give myself to the evil in this room to keep Kole alive.

My monster stared at me as if evaluating my words. I didn’t break our stare, letting loathing seep into my gaze. My breath locked in my lungs when he used the gun to brush hair out of my face.

“We have a lot to talk about,” he said, his voice deadly soft. He trailed the muzzle down the side of my face. “You behave, and he stays alive.”

Lies.

Kole’s death was signed the moment he was forced into this house. But I’d play along for now until another opportunity to get him out presented itself.

“Hands behind your back,” my monster ordered.

I bit my tongue, panic at being restrained crushing my chest. He could have forced me, but no, he wanted the satisfaction of controlling me. He knew I’d listen when Kole was here.

My hands shook as I slowly brought them behind my back. My breaths came out short and rapid as he moved, disappearing from sight. A few moments later, a zip tie tightened around my wrists. He made sure to secure it to prevent me from wriggling out.

The taller masked killer was pulling Kole’s arms above his head, and Kole kicked at him. His partner came up, and punched Kole in the throat. It wasn’t a hard hit, but enough for them to shove his spine into the stair banister to finish what they were doing while Kole fought for a breath. A new zip tie was wrapped around his wrists and the closest metal rail of the banister. Kole remained standing, spitting out curses when the zip tie was tightened.

The two masked assholes were standing silently. There wasn’t enough light to see their eyes, and I studied their bodies, trying to pick up any hint of their identity. Since they refused to speak, I was guessing I knew them.

My monster stepped away and picked up my pocketknife before halting in front of me, blocking Kole from sight. His smug smirk shot fury through my veins, and I twisted my bound wrists. He was a few inches taller than me, and I tilted my face up, keeping all emotion off my face.

“I think it’s time to make a proper introduction,” he said with a wide grin. “We’ve known each other for twelve years and you don’t even know my name. I’m Leo.”

Leo.The name didn’t match the monster who’d haunted me for years. I had no idea if it was his real name.

“I’ve kept tabs on you,” he admitted, a hint of pride in his voice. “I got to witness what I created.”

Bile burned my throat.He’d been watching me?I’d spent twelve years chasing him when he’d known where I’d been this entire time?

“You might have changed your name, but I know everything about you.” His fingers gripped my jaw, and he turned my face slightly, rubbing his thumb over a small scar that had faded years ago. “You have marks I never gave you. I admit, it makes me jealous. I was supposed to be the last one to touch you.”

He dropped his hand from my face, only to replace his touch with the cool blade of my knife. I clenched my teeth together, refusing to show pain when he cut me right where my old scar was. Warm blood dripped down my cheek as he watched, his eyes shining savagely.

“You bastard,” Kole growled, his voice vibrating with rage. “Don’t fucking touch her?—”

I couldn’t see him but heard when he was hit. I jerked, not caring when the blade cut me again. Leo moved with me, refusing to let me see Kole.

“I know everything about you,” he repeated, an annoyed frown on his lips. He didn’t like my attention on Kole. “You got that scar when you murdered your first victim. It was messy. Chaotic.” He leaned closer, his face inches from mine. “I bet you were terrified and enthralled at the same time. But you learned, didn’t you? Your next kill was perfect.”

My mouth grew dry, a lump in my throat so large, I couldn’t swallow. I should be repulsed at his words. He was reliving his first kill, comparing it to mine as if we were the same. But I couldn’t focus on that.