Page 24 of Haunted Prey

“I want out,” I said in a guttural voice, a voice even I hardly recognized.

It was their turn to gape at me like they didn’t know I was crazy.

“You can’t,” Andrea said. “Emery, you’re wounded.”

“I don’t give a fuck.”

“You really got it bad, don’t you?” Leslie laughed. “A little obsessed, huh?”

“He has to get that final girl who got away,” Cassidy said, tilting her head.

“This isn’t a horror movie,” Micheal said.

“You sure? Feels like it,” she said.

“So you're going after her, right?” Leslie asked me. From somewhere, a hunter's knife appeared in his hand. He flipped it out, then back in. “Can I come with?”

“We are not going after her,” Micheal argued. “Kennedy is what matters.”

“Says you. She’s clearly in on it.” Cassidy gestured at the screen. “Look at them all snug together.”

“We don’t know that.”

“She’s a Martel. I think it’s obvious.”

Micheal swiped a hand through his hair. “If she’s with him, we can make a decision after.”

“No one is touching her but me!” I snarled, my fist connecting with one of the tables.

Silence ensued.

“No. One,” I repeated, then turned to Micheal. “Here’s how it’s going to be. I help you get Kennedy and bring it all down. In exchange I get Eve. And I want her first, understand? I want her here, not there with that oily piece of shit or anywhere else. Right here.”

Micheal looked at me as if I was insane. “No.”

I blinked and his white collared shirt was twisted in my fist.

“I don’t think you get it. I don’t work for you,” I said, bringing his face close to mine. “You think I owe you one because you saved me from prison? Get fucking real. I want Eve, and I’m going to get her whether you like it or not. I’m only offering this because I don’t want to have to kill you all and go after her myself. I’m aware you have resources that could benefit me. But if you don’t help me, I will leave your ass high and dry.”

Micheal looked ready to fight me, but I didn’t flinch.

“Let him have her, Micheal,” Cassidy chimed in. “He went to a lot of lengths already, don't you think?”

He pulled away and I let him go. “You go out there and get caught, it's on you. I won’t come saving you again,” he warned. “We aren’t moving in on Severfalls until we know it’s safe. But…if she comes out of her little nest, then by all means, take her. I won’t stop you. But I’m not helping you either.”

He turned to the monitor and continued on about their plans for Kennedy and Merkov. All I could do was watch the clip. Watch her.

Help me, Emery.

I looked over into the dark side of the room and saw Eve standing there.

Help me, she cried.

I will, sweetheart, I mouthed, trying to soothe her.I’m coming for you. I’m coming.

You can’t. You can’t, she cried.

Why?I asked.

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