Page 23 of Under the Bed

He scares me and I’ve missed him, and I don’t ever want him near me, ever again.

“What do you mean, no?” Heels click on the marble in Val’s penthouse. Her parents bought her one of the prettiest ones in the city. Unlike my father, they love having their daughter around. “I’m not asking, I’m telling you. I’m coming.”

“I’m fine.”

He’s dangerous and insane, Shiloh. Dad’s voice booms inside my head.He’ll kill you or any of us for no reason whatsoever. You’re a fool for caring about him. Such a disappointment.

I didn’t fully believe Dad back then. Kaleb killed the two boys who hurt me for a reason.

The guard and driver, though, did nothing to earn this.

I gulp in air. Blink.

Maybe Dad was right.

Maybe he escaped so he could take his revenge on me.

Maybe I deserve it.

I definitely deserve it.

I might even want it.

Acid burns my stomach at the idea. I’m sick. Terribly sick.

“You better open the door when I get there.

“I’m really okay.” I press the button, turning off the television. The screen goes black. As black as my heart. As black as my soul—one that feels everything and nothing at all. “A little shaken, that’s all.”Liar. “Otherwise, I’m fine. I think I’ll take a sleeping pill and go to bed.”

Kaleb’s mom has plenty of those. She never noticed one or ten were missing. Her golden eyes are constantly empty. Being Dad’s source of adoration and personal rag doll has turned her into a lifeless creature.

Kaleb’s eyes, however, are usually empty for no reason whatsoever.

Unless he’s looking at you.

“I can be there in thirty minutes.”

My phone vibrates. An unknown number flashes on my screen. Since it’s not my dad’s, it must be reporters.

Why hasn’t he called? The psychiatric hospital’s manager must have called him by now. He’s probably busy doing damage control, shutting this down before the story leaks to tomorrow’s morning news.

If that doesn’t work—though I’m sure it will—he’ll have his lawyers calling me soon. Telling me how to repeat the wordsno comment.

He’ll add security detail to his mansion, I imagine. Keep himself safe while leaving me here to die.

Kaleb would be doing him a huge favor if he kills me.

I’d be six feet under. Kaleb would be locked away, another news article that Dad would bury.

Honestly, he might be doing me a favor too.

My stepbrother would bring a cleaver to my flesh. Run the tip along my skin.

Blood would trickle up. A little at first.

Then a lot of it. And I’d watch his golden eyes as he slowly kills me. I’d get off on it. I’d come when he rips my heart out of my chest.

I’d know I had paid for my sins against him.

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