Page 97 of Back In the Shadows

I swallowed, refusing to puke all my guts out on this man’s feet and let the Pied Piper know that he was terrifying me.

“Sebastian said you have cancer. You won’t live long enough to come for Verity.”

He threw his head back and laughed, his belly shaking. “I’ve just learned that I have cancer. I’ll do my best to fight it, and I suspect I’ll win … I’m too evil to die. Not even the devil wants me.”

There was no debating the situation. I had to keep Verity safe at all costs. “Fine. Tell me.”

He held up a finger. “Not so fast. I have your word that you won’t reveal my identity to anyone. Ever.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

His hot breath burned against the shell of my ear as he spoke, his voice dripping with cruelty. “Because keeping this kind of secret can break someone, toy with their mind, and I want to see what you’re made of, Ella Fletcher. This will be a delicious game for me as I watch you struggle to hide the truth from your husband and friends. I. Will. Break. You. When I do, I will still have Verity, and you will be left with nothing.”

A gasp escaped me, but I clamped my mouth shut. I had no choice but to listen to him, but that didn’t mean that I couldn’tfigure out a loophole down the road. Verity wasn’t even a year old yet.

“Promise me that you won’t kidnap Verity. When the time comes, you’ll tell us she is with you.” Maybe my agreement would be enough to end this horrible nightmare for now.

His eyes gleamed with something so dark and twisted that every hair on my body stood on end.

“I will agree to that.” He paused, looking me in the eye. “As for my identity.” He leaned in once again and as he whispered his answer, each word was like shards of ice piercing through my heart. My vision clouded over in shock, the weight of his revelation threatening to crush me.

50

SEBASTIAN

I resisted the urge to chase after Ella, but I was grateful I could still see her. Kip shifted from one foot to the other while the Pied Piper’s men trained their weapons on us. My instinct told me that if we didn’t attempt to run or fight, they wouldn’t shoot. I hadn’t driven out here to give Xavier over just to die.

The minutes seemed like eternity as I watched the Pied Piper and Ella talk. Although the headlights of the vehicles lit the area, I couldn’t see her face or expressions. Her body remained rigid and on high alert, but I told myself that Ella could handle him. She’d spent most of her career around cold, calculating criminals, not to mention the experience she’d gained handling Death and Xavier.

“Here she comes,” Kip said, his voice tight with concern.

I took a cautious step forward, eyeing the goons with the guns. Ella quickened her pace as she left the Pied Piper behind and hurried to me.

“Let’s get the fuck out of here,” she whispered as soon as she was within earshot.

“We’re going to leave, now,” I announced as I slowly led Ella and Kip to the vehicle.

“Let’s hope like hell they don’t start shooting as soon as we reach the van,” Kip muttered.

“They won’t. We’re safe to leave.”

I didn’t miss the fear that rode each of her words.

Once we were in the van, I drove away and left the Pied Piper and his minions behind us.

“I’ll keep an eye out to make sure we’re not being followed,” Kip said.

Ella remained quiet and slumped in her seat. A soft cry escaped her as she hid her face in her hands.

“Baby, it’s okay. You’re safe now.” I squeezed her knee. “Kip, did you leave anything important at the building we were at?”

“Nah. I gathered our duffle bags and burner phones while you were talking to Ella and before I grabbed Xavier.”

“Excellent. Thank you. Buckle up, we’re not going back there ever. We’re heading home.”

“We can go home?” Ella’s question was heavy yet hopeful.

I glanced over at her. “The Pied Piper gave Death his word that we were safe. What did he say to you?”

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