Page 87 of Kiss of Deceit

I slid the blade into his skin right over his main artery. I pulled it back out, blood straying from the wound, hitting myhand. His eyes bulged, his struggles ceasing as his body began weakening. I slowly moved my hand away from his mouth when his muffled yells became nothing but groans.

The bridge suddenly creaked, and I jumped to my feet. My fingers grasped the hilt of the knife tightly when my eyes fell on a figure at the end of the bridge. The moonlight revealed the ski mask and dark, baggy clothes, but it was impossible to see any other features. Had this asshole been watching me the entire time?

“Here I am,” I said, raising my arms. Which probably wasn’t the best idea when I still wasn’t at full strength. But my patience was gone. This monster was taunting me. Leaving papers with my name at the crime scene. His murder mirroring my own attack. Was the face under the mask the one who haunted my sleep?

He didn’t make a sound, didn’t move a muscle as he continued to stare. I squeezed the knife harder, anger heating my veins.

“Coward,” I screamed, my voice bleeding from the pain of my past. I repeated the words the night of my attack. “Hiding behind a mask. You’re a fucking coward.”

All he did was tilt his head to the side, the gesture only infuriating me more. I was right fucking here. If he wanted me, then now was the chance. How I would love to sink my blade into his chest.

“What are you waiting for?” I continued, hatred bubbling through me. “Come get me.”

Instead of advancing closer, he began to back up. I braced to start running. I didn’t care if the drugs were still messing with my system. There was no way I was letting him leave.

“Dani?”

My heart leaped into my throat, and I spun around to see Kole emerging from the darkness.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

kole

I shinedmy flashlight on Dani, witnessing her eyes widen in shock. She hastily shoved her hand into her jacket pocket before staggering closer, favoring her ribs. Red-hot rage lined my vision as my gaze raked down her. Her brown hair was matted with blood, along with it staining most of her clothes.

“What the fuck?” Harry breathed out as he caught up to me.

I strode forward, spotting two bodies sprawled lifelessly on the bridge behind her. My heart beat furiously as I reached for her, only for someone to grab my arm. My gaze snapped over my shoulder when Harry tugged me back.

“I swear to fuck, Harry,” I snarled. “Let me go.”

“You can’t touch her,” he shot back. “It looks like there are two dead bodies. Everything she’s wearing is evidence.”

“I don’t give a shit?—”

“He was here,” Dani blurted out, her voice trembling. “The killer.” She turned and pointed toward the bridge. “He disappeared when I heard Kole. His footsteps are probably still in the deeper snow.”

Harry stared at her for a moment, before looking at the three men who came with us. I was sure he was regretting the drinkshe had at my bar tonight. Monty stood next to Matt, his face pale as he stared at the bridge.

“Go check it out,” Harry ordered, nodding at the other two men before focusing back on Dani. “What happened?”

“I think we need to get her to the hospital,” I said, keeping my voice steady. Or at least trying to, because I was about to fucking snap if I didn’t find out who hurt her.

“I’m fine,” she promised.

I clenched my jaw, gently rubbing my thumb over fresh blood on the corner of her lip. “You look anything but fine.”

“You killed them,” Monty forced out, advancing closer. “What the hell did you do?”

I turned around, grabbing the back of his neck, and flinging him backward. “Touch her and you’re fucking dead.”

“Everyone calm down,” Harry snapped, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “I’m too damn tired for this.”

“You mean drunk,” I muttered under my breath, my eyes going back to Dani. “Let’s get you to the hospital.”

“I…I don’t know if they’re still alive,” she whispered. “He attacked us, and I couldn’t do anything while he stabbed them.”

“Nothing?” Monty scoffed. “You didn’t even run? Because you fucking killed them.”