Page 87 of Don't Lie To Me

I feel him shrug it off as he draws me closer, his lips placing delicate kisses down my neck. “I watch people for a living, it just feels normal to me,” he mutters, distracted. He brushes my hair over my shoulder, his lips lightly kissing my exposed neck. His other hand dusts up my thigh.

My hand runs up his side, brushing over his crisp shirt as I lean into him, enjoying the way he kisses me. He’s so different to the other two. When we’re together, I don’t feel the push and pull. I’m all-consumed by him and can’t help but be drawn to him like a magnet. “I can’t believe I didn’t see you,” I mutter into the room, hardly even paying attention to our conversation anymore. All I can feel is his hands on me, slowly stroking up my leg, toying with the hem on my skirt and his lips pressing feather-light kisses from my shoulder to my ear.

“If someone doesn’t want to be seen, you won’t see them.”

Goosebumps skate up my arms. “Like the asshole stalking me.”

“Exactly.”

I pull back from him slightly, throwing one leg over his lap so I’m straddling him and I can see him eye to eye. “Do you think he knows where I’m staying now and that the three of you are all here with me?”

His head drops. “Probably,” he mutters, and I know he hates that he hasn’t found him yet.

“Fuck, you could have lied to me.” I half laugh, trying to lighten the mood that’s gotten way too serious too quickly.

He chuckles softly. His warm hands grasp my arms, his intense stare boring into my soul, and I feel something change in him, a seriousness wash over him. “Sloane, they found another body today. My station is calling him the working-girl serial killer. They think he’s targeting prostitutes. Screwing them, then killing them and ripping out their hearts.”

My pulse quickens. This is what he was thinking about at dinner. “What did she look like?” I whisper, not really wanting to know.

“You already know the answer to that question.”

My back straightens, and I stare back at him, not sure what to do. One girl was a tragedy, two is so awful I can’t even process the reality. “Your station hasn’t worked out this asshole is after me?”

“After today’s find, they think it’s unrelated.”

My hand rests on his chest. I can feel the way his heart beats erratically. This is messing him up just as much as it is me. “But you don’t agree.”

“There was another note pinned on her. Same as the other one.”

Fuck. This is a nightmare. “Where was she found?”

“In the lobby of your apartment complex,” he responds, his voice heavy.

I close my eyes, pain radiating through my chest for the poor girl. This motherfucker is as good as dead. I stand in a rush. “We have to do something. I’m not having another girl die because of me.”

My phone dances across the table from where Onyx left it, and I collect it up. Seeing it’s an unknown number, my heart leaps into my throat, knowing it’s him. With a shaky finger, I answer the call and flick it to speaker so Reef can hear as well.

The other two move back into the living room from the kitchen, their faces impassive as they watch me.

“I’m getting closer, my girl. Not long until you’re mine,” his cruel voice comes down the line, sending a shiver over my whole body.

My heart leaps into my throat. This fucker thinks he can mess with me, but I’m not giving him the satisfaction. “I will never be yours,” I seethe back, my gaze locking onto the men who have already claimed me.

“Did you like my latest gift? Another girl off the streets. See, I’m helping clean up this town, just like you.”

My eyes go wide as I look at Reef, not sure what to say back to him. He’s crazy. I’m not killing people to clean up the town. I’m giving girls jobs in a safe place.

Reef motions for me to stay on the line, and I know it’s because the longer I do, the more likely they can track down a location for him.

“What you’re doing is sick and repulsive. I don’t want your gifts, I want you to leave the poor woman of this town alone.” The words spill out of me, laced with anger and frustration.

“I can’t do that, my girl. They died because of you, and they will continue to pay for your sins, until I have you in my hands.” His voice is so calm and cool that it makes me feel sick to my stomach.

My sins, what the fuck is he talking about? What did I do to this fucker? “Your days are numbered, and when I get my hands on you, I will personally make sure you pay with your life for all the pain and suffering you have caused.”

His laughter vibrates down the line, psychotic and unnerving, a sound that I know will stay with me long after I disconnect the call. “So tough, aren’t you, Ava. That’s how your brothers taught you to be. Lucky you didn’t grow up with the sheltered life your daddy dearest wanted for you. You can stop pretending you care. Years ago, you stole something from me, and now the time has finally come for me to take it back. What’s happened to those girls is just the beginning. Enjoy your freedom while you can.” More laughter then the line goes dead.

With my heart racing like crazy, I glance back at Reef. “Please tell me you got a trace on him.”

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