Page 56 of Wicked Little Nightmare

She straddled me, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Always. What did you have in mind?"

As I outlined my plan, I could feel the anticipation building between us. This was what we lived for — tracking, hunting, that little dance on the edge of danger. It felt nice. I mean, to be focused on something real. Tangible. Something that would produce results.

A mission that felt like I had a purpose, even if that purpose was slow murdering assholes who tortured women and children.

Something that actually made sense for once in my Goddamn life. Half of me was proud. I’d wanted to be a cop when I was young, so young, I hadn’t yet realized the state of corrupt decay within the forces. Before I gutted a man for hurting my girl. Now, I was glad I’d never had the chance. These types in prison? With more money than they knew what to do with? Always get off. Always.

Now they wouldn’t.

Maybe, I would have been able to be something else, someone else, if Chimera hadn’t existed. Maybe I wouldn’t have needed to gut a rapist, but I did, which led me —us— here. A strange feeling crawled up my back. If Lakey and I were both products of the foster system, how did they plan all of this? Was she always going to end up at that nun home? Was I always going to end up in prison?

How the fuck had they planned all of this?

More importantly, I couldn’t figure out why the fuck we were even still alive. The more I thought about it, the more a sick ball twirled in my gut. There was more to this. More than we were piecing together. Just… what the fuck was it?

"So," I said, my hands resting on her hips, shaking the creeping thoughts from my mind, "you ready to raise some hell?"

Lakey leaned in, her lips brushing against mine. "Baby, you had me at ‘roleplay’."

I grinned, feeling that familiar rush of adrenaline. "Alright, let's get our shit together. We've got a busy night ahead."

She hopped off my lap, her energy infectious. "What's the plan, again? Sorry, I was daydreaming. Are we going full 'damsel in distress' or more 'lost pizza delivery'?"

I stood up, stretching my arms above my head before crossing them over each other, pulling the tension in my back. "I'm thinking we play it simple. Charming new neighbors who justmoved in down the street. You can be your usual bubbly self, and I'll be the doting husband."

"Ooh, domestic bliss with a side of murder. I like it," Lakey purred, already rummaging through our closet. "How about this?" She held up a pastel sundress that screamed 'innocent housewife'.

"Perfect," I nodded, grabbing a polo shirt and khakis. "We'll look like we just stepped out of a fucking Norman Rockwell painting."

As we got dressed, I couldn't help but admire how easily Lakey slipped into her role. One minute she could be shoving a severed cock down someone’s throat, the next she was the picture of suburban perfection. It was hot as hell. I chuckled. She’d give a lesser man whiplash with her personalities.

"Don't forget to grab the pie from the fridge," I called out as I checked my reflection in the mirror. "Nothing says 'harmless neighbor' like pie. Oh, you got a brown wig? If this guy is entrenched, he will recognize you."

Lakey appeared behind me, wrapping her arms around my waist. "And I can fill it with poison, right? Wait, when did you get pie?"

I turned, cupping her face in my hands, marveling at how different she looked with the short brown wig. She actually looked… domestic. "I dunno, I found it in the freezer and thawed it in the fridge. I think it’s chicken, but who really cares? Not like he’s gonna eat it with us.” I grinned, spinning her in a circle. Damn, she looked good like a soccer mom going out for dinner. Might have to fuck her later like this. “No poison, darlin'. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. First, we gather intel. Then we decide how to deal with our new friend."

Her eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Fine, but I call dibs on the first stab if things go south."

"Wouldn't have it any other way, sugar," I laughed, planting a kiss on her forehead. "Now, let's go introduce ourselves to the neighborhood."

As we stepped out of our apartment, arm in arm with a pie between us, I felt that familiar thrill. Small steps were still steps, especially when it meant slotting one more piece into the puzzle.

Twenty-Two: Lakey

The midday sun beat down on us as Cam and I strode down the street, our footsteps in sync like always. My heart raced with excitement, but I kept my face neutral, matching Cam's cool demeanor. The pie was clenched in my hand, my other casually holding Cam’s. I loved how his dwarfed mine.

I’m sure to an outsider, we looked ridiculous. His massive frame towering over mine. I’ve even had comments that I was a child, and he was sick for being with me.

Usually I just smiled, leaning over and making out with him, calling him daddy to make them uncomfortable. But a few assholes took it too far, digging in how small and ‘prepubescent’ I looked. Those guys got a punch upside the head and knocked out cold. Anyway, it usually didn’t bother me much. I could do most anything he could do, except the heavy lifting. We werekinda like superheroes. Bouncing off each others’ strengths, forming one amazingly talented being.

I guess we were closer to villains. Whatever, semantics.

"So, what else did you get from Skeeter's laptop?" I asked, skipping along the sidewalk.

Cam's dark eyes flashed. "Our guy's knee-deep in Chimera's logistics. He's the key to finding Janine. Skeeter had them all arranged by file and job type. I picked this one because he’s close-by, but also because he has direct dealings with the kids. Once I opened his file, there were pictures of him and dear old mom. And before you ask, no there were no photos of the girl. She seems to be pretty well off the radar. No known date of birth records, nothing. It’s like she doesn’t exist. Her name is Lillianna, by the way."

I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face. "Lillianna... Thanks for telling me that babe."

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