Page 15 of Haunting Me

My chest is heavy, and it’s hard to breathe through all the emotions. I’ve never shared my loss with anyone. Layne holds my hand in hers, bringing the palm to her lips. She kisses me with the most tender of kisses. My eyes fill with tears, and I just let them fall.

“When the police let it slip that he was a suspect, I went to question him. My Da was a mess, so I stepped up, doing what he couldn’t. He confirmed it was him that killed her, he tried to say it was an accident and that he didn’t want to kill her, but she kept fighting and screaming. I killed him, Layne. I stabbed him so many times. The funny thing was, I didn’t feel remorse. I felt vindicated. Like my sister would be proud of me.”

Layne still lay in my arms, not tense, showing no signs of repulsion at what I had told her.

“I have spent the last six years ridding this city of all the scum that do the same thing. Child molesters, rapists, and whoever else I deem unworthy of living life. Never innocent people. When you told me what happened to you, and then told me your father was still alive… I knew he had to be next. I want you free from the past that haunts you.”

Layne rises from my chest. Her eyes met mine. “Did you kill him? My father?”

I shake my head no, “I know where he is though, and he isn’t dead. Yet.”

Chapter ten

L A Y N E

Did Wes just confess to being a serial killer?

The weight of his words is overwhelming, swarming my thoughts. He shared the heartbreaking story of his poor little sister, whose life someone stole from her. How he made the personal decision to seek vengeance. It should repulse me that the man whom I gave my virginity to kills people. It doesn’t. I see inside Wes’s heart.

I climb on top of him, straddling his waist. His eyes, still wet from the tears, peer into mine. “Were you expecting me to run?” I said.

He grins as his hand wraps around my throat and pulls my face to his. “No, I didn’t. You are just as fucked up, if I recall. We are a perfect match in any afterlife.” His words warm my heart.

“How the fuck are you so perfect?” He crashes his lips into mine.

I pull away, remembering he knows where my father is. “I want him dead, Wes. He shouldn’t get to breathe another day. His lungs should burn the way mine did while he killed me.”

Wes pulls himself up. His fingers trace my jaw. “You say the words, baby. You say them and he is dead.”

With no hesitation, the words flow effortlessly from my lips. “I want him dead.”

“Done.”

As Wes pulls me back into his embrace, I am overwhelmed by his comforting scent. “God, Layne. Thank you.”

I giggle at his words. “For what?” His lips find my neck, leaving a trail of wet kisses and bites, making me moan.

“I am grateful for your kindness and all the ways you show it to me. Every part of me, especially the darkest parts.”

I realize I just sealed the fate of my piece of shit father, and while I should feel remorse. I don’t. Just knowing that he will no longer breathe the same air as me makes me feel lighter. “Come on, Ma Petite Mort, let’s order something to eat and then sleep,” Wes orders Chinese food at my request, and once it arrives, I realize how hungry I am.

We have the array of containers spread out across his bed. He reaches for a remote and clicks a button. A projector screen drops from the rafters, and a streaming service menu appears. He hands me the remote. “Pick something to watch. I am going to grab us drinks.”

We settle in and devour the food, watching the movie, and laughing at the cheesy lines and horrible acting. Wes laces his fingers in between mine, bringing my hand to his lips. “Can I ask you something?” His voice soft.

I nod, swallowing the egg roll I had just shoved in my mouth. He turns to face me, and I feel this is going to be a serious question.

“If I asked you the right way,” he clears his throat, “you know, like normal guys do. Would you say yes?”

My mouth hangs open. Is he doing this?

“I know it’s crazy. Fucking certifiable. But I can’t live my life without you being mine. Layne, this is the strongest desire I've ever had. You opened my eyes to a new type of possibility. A wife, fuck even kids.”

Kids?

I wasn’t even a thought to use protection during sex. As a virgin, I never considered contraception. “What if I don’t want children? Would you still want to spend your life with me?”

My words make him draw in a breath. “Of course, I would. I'll get a vasectomy tomorrow if that's what you want.”

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