Page 11 of Unmasked Legacy

“I don’t care what the town feels,” I growl, crossing my arms. “I care about getting answers because my entire life has been a damn lie. You can continue to throw me out, but I promise you, I will continue to return.”

He steps toward me, his hand lashing out and curling around my throat as he pushes me back until I’m against the wall. Chest rising and falling heavily, I stare up at him as my ears begin to ring from the pressure around my neck. I refuse to show fear, because I don’t think this man is here to hurt me. He doesn’t scare me, even though he’s trying his best to.

“What are you going to do, biker?” I say, my voice tight. “Kill me?”

“Don’t fuckin’ tempt me.”

“I’m not leaving. I will get my answers, and only then will you see the end of me. Now, let me go before I kick you right in the balls, and believe me, I won’t miss.”

He releases me, but he doesn’t step back. “You have no idea the kind of man I am.”

I push up on my tiptoes, staring right into those perfect eyes. “And you have no idea the kind of woman I am.”

“You’re the daughter of a fuckin’ killer, evil runs through your veins, and you proved that when you tried to kill one of my own.”

I slap him.

It happens even before I can think about it. My arm moves before my brain kicks in, and the echoing sound of skin hitting skin can be heard throughout the small space. My palm stings as I take a step, my back pressing into the wall as his furious eyes come back to mine. He’s panting now, his chest rising and falling so heavily his body is almost trembling.

“Do not ever compare me to that monster again,” I hiss, even though deep inside, I’m terrified of what I just did.

“You ever lay a fuckin’ hand on me again,” he begins, but I cut him off by sliding out and walking to the door, shoving it open.

“Get out.”

He turns, and his eyes pin me. “You don’t want to keep playin’ this game with me, Kitten. Iwillwin.”

With that, he walks out of the room.

I slam the door behind him before turning and pressing my back to it. Settling a hand over my chest, I exhale and close my eyes.

I’m playing with fire, and I’m quite willing to get burned.

I just hope it isn’t enough to take me out completely.

4

Turning the television on, I move into the small kitchenette to make a coffee. I very much plan on going to see Harry again today, to find out if he is able to open my mother’s case once more. I need to find out what happened, and I want answers for her. I haven’t got a great deal of memories including my mother, but she is my mother all the same, and she deserves justice.

“A twenty-three year old woman has gone missing overnight under suspicious circumstances. Police are asking anyone who might have seen anything to report it immediately. Nia Harris was last seen walking home from her friend’s house at approximately five thirty on Sunday afternoon. She hasn’t been seen since.”

I spin around when I hear the news reporter speaking on the television. I stare at the picture of a pretty strawberry blond woman on the screen, a dazzling smile on her face, and my heart skips a beat. I can’t help but feel a sense ofdeja vustaring at the screen, after spending so many years watching as the Shadow Butcher tormented the town, when all along, he was right in the house with me.

I flick the television off, shaking my head.

It’s probably nothing.

Gathering my things, I leave the hotel and begin the walk to the police station. It’s only when I’m getting closer to the busier part of town that I notice people staring and whispering. It’s not unusual, everyone in this place has made it known that they don’t like me being here, but today it seems a little extra.

Putting my head down, I focus on getting to where I’m going.

“What did you do to Nia? Where is she?”

The words have my head jerking up, and I pause, turning toward the voice. A man around thirty stands out front of a café with his wife by his side. She is somewhat tucked behind him as he speaks, almost like she’s scared. The man is staring at me with disgust, like I am the scum of the earth.

“Excuse me?”

I generally try not to speak to these people, but his comment got the better of me.

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