Page 48 of Vows From Hell

The ghost.

No one ever saw him come, no one ever saw him leave, but the traces of him were always left behind. He was brutal, smart, and quick. He didn’t deal with torturing, though the state of bodies he left could’ve fooled me.

Arlo De Santis was the epitome of cruelty and terror.

But he was head over heels in love with the woman who was his match. I didn’t bother learning her name, but since they were set to marry next summer, I didn’t truly see him as competition.

However, I despised the atmosphere around him and Storm.

“It’s not a problem.’’ Storm grinned. “I can add you to the PR list and send you the next one before it releases.’’

His eyes screamed happiness. “You would do that? Yes, please!’’

I cleared my throat and pulled Storm’s chair closer to mine. She gave me a death stare, but didn’t have the chance to speak since Arlo beat her to it.

“Before he kills me, I’ll start talking,’’ Arlo smartly concluded, the smile lingering on his face, but life seemed to drain from his eyes.

Storm noticed it, too, though she didn’t comment on it.

“Good choice.’’

“First things first, all traces of your conversations with Morrison are gone. No one can now connect the two of you.’’

Storm blinked.

“But when I met him for the first time, a lot of people saw us together. What about the rest of the crew I came here with?”

Arlo shrugged. “Right now, the only evidence is their memory, but there isn’t anything physical tying you to them.’’

“What about the emails, phone calls, and security cameras at the airport?”

Arlo grinned. “Don’t worry, Storm. We’ve gone through everything with a fine-tooth comb. The chances of you being on camera are nonexistent. Relax a little.’’

Storm frowned. “But the rest of the detectives are still posing a threat, right? They don’t have any evidence, but they will be looking for them, especially now.’’

“That can be easily fixed.’’

Storm gave me a death glare. “You’re not killing them. That will only work in their favor, not ours. So any plans? Laying low? Living life as this never happened?”

Arlo hummed. “That’s your best shot. If you’re approached by them — you don’t know them. You’ve never met or seen them.’’

“Gotcha.’’

“Now if you’re done, get the fuck out of my house.’’

“Micah!”

Arlo started whining like a toddler whose toy had been taken away. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and turned his head to the side, avoiding looking at me.

“Leave,’’ I demanded sternly.

Somehow, I managed to get the word through his thick skull. With a sigh, Arlo picked up all the signed books, putting them back in the bag neatly and carefully. He threw it over his shoulder and grinned at Storm.

“It was so lovely meeting you. I hope I can see you again.’’

I scowled at him, and he finally looked at me with an eye roll.

“And I have to talk to you in private, so follow me.’’

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