“Gooble-gobble, one of us,” I chant.
She raises an eyebrow.
“You’d have to see the movie, I guess.” I clear my throat. “Yes, my brother and I are serial killers, just like you and, I’m guessing, your blonde friend.”
“What are the fucking odds?” she breathes.
“That’s exactly what I thought when I saw you.”
My brother and Gary choose to sit near Kindra’s friend, which is all right by me. A little more alone time to admire this woman isn’t exactly a bad thing.
“Have you been to this thing before?” she asks.
“Yeah, my brother and I have been attending since its inception ten years ago.”
“And your friend?” She points toward Gary.
I lick my lips and lean closer. “Can you keep a secret, my pet?”
Goosebumps rise on her skin. Even if she’s trying to play it cool, she can’t disguise her body’s reaction to my breath rushing over her. “Yes, I’d like to think I can. You don’t get very far in this hobby if you can’t.”
“He’s not our friend, nor is he of our ilk. He’s slotted to become Cattle for the island, though his killer will be my brother. The event coordinator owed us a favor, and we couldn’t leave the pervert on the streets.”
“He’s a?—?”
“Sick man, yes. Very sick. Just a few days ago, he kidnapped a small girl who was walking home from school. The details are enough to turn my stomach, so I won’t reveal them. Just know that my brother will ensure he gets the end he deserves.”
The engines whir to life outside the cabin, and everyone begins fastening seatbelts and settling in for the flight. Moments later, we’re taxiing down the runway and rising into a blue sky.
I look toward my brother, who’s lost in conversation with the blonde. Or an argument, rather. She keeps shaking her head, her arms folded over her chest as she gets increasingly heated. That’s Bennett for you. He’s much better at making enemies than friends.
I recognize the small German fellow near them. He’s known asder Sensenmannin his homeland, but we just call him Grim. While he looks like a college professor, he’s a wild man with aknife. Or a hatchet. Anything with a sharp blade will do where he’s concerned.
Kindra shifts beside me and rests her head against the seat. Her lips part in a wide yawn, which she covers with her hand.
“Tired?” I ask.
She smiles for the first time since I arrived on the plane. “Someone kept me up late last night.”
“I hope it was worth it, at least.”
“Very much so.”
I lower my voice. “Any chance of a repeat performance? I’d love to experience another night with you.”
The smile drops from her face and takes my heart down with it. “As much as I’d love to, I’m kind of on a mission here. I’m looking for someone.”
“Maybe I can help. Who is it?”
She lifts her shoulders in a shrug. “That’s the problem. I’m not sure. He killed my brother several years ago, and I want to make him pay for it.”
“That’s going to be hard to do. They have pretty strict rules about killing fellow guests.”
“I’m not that stupid.” She shakes her head. “I just want to know who he is so I can find him when we get back. I’ll need more than five days to torture him, anyway.”
“Stop it. You’re turning me on.”
She smacks my shoulder like she thinks I’m kidding, so I grip her hand and place it on my lap.