Page 52

51

CLOSER

THE STRANGLER

S o close. Yara would soon be mine. She’d see that no one in the world could love her, love all the damaged sides of her like I did, like I do.

Ryden Sinclair was a bad decision, and I’d show her how bad of a decision he was. She’d understand I did what I did for her, for us.

“I switched on K.Y. Wolff’s burner phone. Are you sure he’ll come?” Logan asked.

“I’m sure he’ll come. Where’s Yara? Was she already there?” I asked, tapping my fingers against the bottle of beer.

“Yes. She came. With a fucking gun.”

I rubbed my hands with a laugh. “She’s brave. She has always been brave. That’s why I love her,” I said. “Don’t you dare hurt her, Logan.”

“I know, I know. What next? What comes after all of this?” I could hear the doubt in his voice. I didn’t fucking care. He was only a means to an end. Nothing more.

“He’ll know her worst secrets, and he’ll break her heart,” I said with a soft chuckle, almost enjoying it. Of course, I hated that she’d be hurt, but sometimes, you had to get hurt to find something real. “And I’ll be there to put her back together.”

“What do you mean?”

“No one can love her, not all the sides of her. When Ryden Sinclair realizes she’s not the woman he thinks she is, he will not accept that part of her. He’ll break her heart, and she’ll fall apart.”

“Sounds so far-fetched. You’re lying to yourself, and—”

“Shut the fuck up, you fucking idiot…” I grabbed the bottle of beer and swung it against the wall.

“Sorry. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it.”

I took a deep breath. It wasn’t far-fetched. I knew she’d finally realize that I was the only one for her.

“What should I do with Ryden after that?”

Was that even a question?

“Kill him, and then I’ll make her mine.”