Page 75 of The Truth in My Lies (Secrets of Suburbi 1)

He eyed me coolly. “It’s a little early for Christmas, isn’t it?”

“It’s almost October. I like getting my shopping done early. I always have.” It was true. But I wasn’t sure if he knew that or not.

He leaned down and ripped off the tape.

“Stop it.” I ran over to him. “You’ll ruin the surprise.” I grabbed his arm to stop him from opening it. He hit me across the face with the back of his other handing, knocking me to the floor.

“A paper shredder. Paint cans. A blowtorch.” He laughed. “A scanner?”

I clutched the side of my face. He had hit me in the same place that I already had a bruise. And he was laughing. I clenched my jaw.

“Rope. A staple gun. Kerosene. And...Christmas ornaments.”

“I told you it was a Christmas related purchase.”

He tossed the ornaments back into the box and I heard them shatter.

Jokes on you. I needed to shatter them anyway.

“Why do you need Kerosene and a blowtorch?”

“I’m making you something. You’ll have to wait until Christmas to find out.” Too bad your body will be rotting in the ground long before then.

“I’m going to ask you one more time. What are you making?” He walked over to me.

“I just told you it’s a Christmas present. I’m not going to ruin the surprise.”

He grabbed my hair in his fist and yanked my head back so that I’d look at him. I swallowed down the cry in my throat.

“Tell. Me.”

“I’m going to use them to murder you.”

He laughed and released his hold on my hair.

I touched the back of my head. Sometimes the smallest actions hurt the most. My whole scalp burned. I walked backward until my calf hit the step. It would have been easier to run to the kitchen. But now I’d have to go up the stairs. Frick. He’d easily catch me and pull me back down. I needed to calm him down somehow.

“You think I’m joking? Just watch me do it.” Why? Why would I say that of all things? God, he’s going to kill me before I even get a chance to kill him.

“Adeline.” He made a tsking noise that caused my stomach to flip. “Oh, poor, sweet Adeline.” He reached forward and gently ran his fingers through my hair. The action was even worse than when he pulled my hair. Fake. Everything he did was fake.

“We both know that I’m not sweet.”

“That’s true. Your mind is sick and twisted. You’ve done unthinkable things. But killing me? No. No, that’s never going to happen.”

“After everything you’ve done to me? What makes you think I won’t?”

“I’m not saying you won’t try. I’m saying you can’t succeed.”

“Yes I can.” I was clenching my jaw so hard that I was getting a headache. I wanted to bite my teeth into the side of his neck, but I stayed where I was. I clenched my jaw so that I wouldn’t try.

“Besides, Adeline.” He touched the side of my forehead. “You really think I’d just go away? Nothing ever leaves this.” He tapped the spot he’d been touching. “Your brilliant, broken mind. I’m unforgettable. You’ve made me unforgettable.”

“No.” I shook my head.

His fingers slid underneath my chin. “Oh, babe, I’m already there. You’re already doubting yourself. I can see your mind working. You’re wondering if I’m right. And deep down you know I am. You will never escape me.”

“No.” My voice was sad and quiet.

---