Page 7 of Vows From Hell

“There are too many reasons to reject that. It’s best if you stopped trying to persuade us. The chances of capturing him using that method are maybe ten percent.’’

I blinked. “The chances of capturing him without it are zero percent.’’

“Drop it.’’ Kyle sighed in exasperation. “Your life would be at stake. I can’t risk that.’’

I rose to my feet and marched toward him, until we were at the same level, staring into each other’s eyes. “How long has he been roaming free, killing person after person? How long have you been trying to arrest him and how long have you been failing?”

Kyle’s jaw clenched as he fisted his hands at his sides. Slowly, I was getting through him, but he needed another little push.

“And besides, I wouldn’t be alone. I’d have you backing me up.’’

“It will backfire.’’

“It won’t. If it does, at least we tried. Sitting around won’t get us any closer to catching him.’’

“Why are you so certain he’ll come for you? He’s had years’ worth of time, yet he hasn’t.’’

I grinned. “Because now, we’ll lure him out.’’

III

STORM

Adele and Kyle were still too worried. Reluctantly, they agreed to at least try using me as bait. They promised they’d be right there in case anything went wrong, though I was still uncertain where or when Micah was going to appear.

Natalie and Beck were on my side.

The two of them worked under Kyle over his last decade as a detective, hence why they were more than willing to help. Neither seemed to care about the consequences that would come once they failed to catch Micah, but I wasn’t going to rain on their parade.

I needed their alliance.

“Everything is done.’’ Natalie slammed her laptop shut with a faint smile. She grabbed a beer can and plopped onto the soft carpet next to me, nearly gulping the entire can in one go. “Now we wait.’’

It was late on a Tuesday night. It was rather cold outside, signaling winter was slowly approaching. The wind was strong, and although it was warm in Kyle’s apartment, I couldn’t stop goosebumps from tugging on my skin every so often.

The plan was so simple that it was almost stupid.

But stupid and plain was something I desperately needed.

Over the years, it wasn’t like I hadn’t tried to lure Micah out of his little hiding place. Hell, I tried my best. From writing a story similar to ours, to quite literally talking about my experience on television – nothing seemed to work.

He made contact once, and I was a fool to believe he was announcing he’d be back for me. After that, like an idiot, I was waiting, and he never came.

Truthfully, I was praying he was dead or arrested. Those were the only ways I could’ve forgiven him for playing with my heart.

Since the entire world knew of my story, I needed something to lure him out. Which is why Natalie and Adele came up with a statement. They released it under an anonymous source, and I went and edited it so it would seem as if I’d written it.

In short, Storm Matthews announced she’d be releasing an autobiography with the real story of what went down in that cabin.

Originally, my pen name and my real name were supposed to be two separate people, as I didn’t want many people knowing of my writing career, but that went down the drain a long time ago. People recognized me after many interviews and signing events, though I still used Storm Matthews as my pen name.

At least, in my mind, the two were separated.

“All that’s left is for you to grab your belongings from the hotel and move in with me. You can do it in the morning.’’

I glanced at Adele. “Why? It’s easier to keep an eye out for that hotel.’’

“Yes, but it’s more dangerous. Anyone can go in and out. The hotel is too big for us to cover all of it undetected. And it’s easier for him to grab you, if anything.’’

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