Page 64 of Wicked Little Nightmare

Cam snorted, pulling me close. "Uh, I dunno. When you killed Steve, and we still needed information? Probably a little fucking unnecessary. You're a damn tornado, Lakey. But you're my tornado. We can kill when it's absolutely necessary."

I leaned into his touch, savoring the rare moment of tenderness. My mind raced with possibilities, with the tantalizing promise of answers just within reach. Whatever secrets Janine had been hiding, I was going to rip them out by the roots.

“Hooookaaaaay. Fine.”

"So, what's the plan, boss lady?" Cam asked, his voice rough from a night of disuse. The huskiness was so sexy. It sent a delicious shiver down my spine.

I laid it out for him, quick and dirty, trying to distract myself from the unholy thoughts rattling through my brain. "We go in quiet, search every fucking inch of that place. There's gotta be something we missed — documents, pictures, anything that'll tell us what that bitch was really up to."

Cam nodded, his expression turning predatory. "And if we run into any... obstacles?"

I met his gaze, unflinching. "If they’re non-cooperative… we remove them. Permanently. If they cooperate, maybe we cankeep one as a pet. But don’t worry, I will follow your lead, and I won’t make it messy, we will wipe our prints down, yadda, yadda. Good?"

A slow, wicked grin spread across his face. "That's my girl."

As we prepared, my mind kept circling back to that little girl's face. Those eyes, so hauntingly familiar.Was it possible? Could she really be...?I shoved the thought away. Surely, I’d remember having a whole fucking baby. I’d have never let them tear her from my grasp.

What did Steven say? They pick each genetic code. Maybe they’re just addicted to small blue eyed, blondes.

With a sigh, I swung my legs out of bed and started getting ready for a day of preparation.

The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in bruised purples and angry reds. I stood in front of our cracked mirror, methodically applying a dark wig and heavy makeup. Beside me, Cam was pulling on a nondescript black hoodie, his movements precise and controlled.

"Pass me that lockpick set, would ya?" I murmured, not taking my eyes off my reflection. The face staring back at me was a stranger's — perfect. Wouldn’t do us any good sauntering up to Janine’s looking like ourselves. Especially if she was back. A few seconds might save our asses before she’d be able to piece it together and recognize me.

Cam's large hand appeared in my periphery, the tools glinting dully in the dim light. "You sure about this, babe?"

I turned to face him, allowing a small, sharp smile to play across my lips. "When have I ever not been sure, baby?" I said,reaching up to trace the line of his jaw. "We're gonna find out what that cunt was hiding even if I have to burn the whole fucking neighborhood down."

His eyes darkened with a mixture of lust and anticipation. "God, you're beautiful when you're plotting murder," he growled, pulling me in for a bruising kiss. “Just try your absolute best to remember, we agreed nothing unnecessary.”

We broke apart, both a little breathless. Adrenaline started to course through my veins, my vision sharpening in response. "Yeah, yeah. Always trying to stifle my fun. Whatever. Let's roll," I said, grabbing my bag of supplies.

The ride through the neighborhood was surreal, as it always was. We passed from our shitty part of town – all crumbling buildings and flickering streetlights – into Janine's oh-so-respectable domain. The contrast was amazing: manicured lawns, gleaming SUVs in driveways, the whole suburban mom’s wet dream. And we were only really about three or four blocks apart.

"Makes me want to puke," Cam muttered, echoing my thoughts.

I snorted. "Bet half these perfect families have some nasty skeletons in their closets. Maybe we should stick around, do a little spring cleaning."

We stopped our bikes about a block away from our target. As we stepped out, the air felt thick with anticipation. A dog barked in the distance, and I tensed, scanning the quiet street.

"Relax," Cam's voice was low in my ear. "We've got this."

I nodded, forcing myself to breathe. The weight of the twin knives strapped to my thighs was comforting. Whatever happened tonight, we'd handle it. We always did.

As we crept towards Janine's house, my thoughts wouldn’t quiet long enough for me to figure them out. What would we find inside? More importantly, was I ready for the answers? A small,traitorous part of me whispered that maybe some secrets were better left buried.

I crushed that thought— ruthlessly. No turning back now. Whatever the truth was, I needed it. I needed to know. And if anyone tried to stop us... well, let's just say I was itching to start a domino effect of burying skeletons in closets.

The stillness hit me like a slap to the face as we hit the walkway leading to her door. Everything was too quiet, too still — like no one had ever lived here. My skin prickled, every sense on high alert.

"Fuck me," I whispered, eyeing the overgrown lawn and wilted flowers. "This place looks like it's been deserted for months."

Cam's eyes narrowed. "No lights, no car. Doesn't look like anyone's been home in a while. But it was like this the last time we came. I guess no one came back, confirming my suspicion. She’s moving on to her next alias. But… what did she do with the girl?"

I crouched down, running my fingers over the brittle grass. "Dead as disco. Just like all those foster families' hopes for me." I flashed Cam a wicked grin.

"Oh babe, you were an A+ pupil in my eyes.”

---