63. Evan
CHAPTER 63
Evan
“ I t’ll work out. Just look at Lexi and me.” I reassure Trent as I carry two coffees, my heart thumping faster when I say her name. Anticipation courses through me at the thought of seeing her again as Trent and I make our way through the crowd toward the restrooms.
“I hope so. Sophia’s putting me through the wringer.”
“She’s just scared. What Lexi said is spot on. She knows Sophia well.” Lowering my voice, I glance around to ensure no one is listening. “Sophia has it bad for you. I overheard her telling Lexi she’s head over heels for you but terrified she’ll end up like her mother.”
Hope flares in Trent’s eyes, and he smiles. “You know I’m not giving up, no matter what.”
“I know. I’m just letting you know she’s definitely worth fighting for.”
“Evan. Trent.” A loud voice yells from behind us.
I turn, spotting Ryker and Devyn holding hands and rushing toward us.
“Hey, Ryker. Devyn. I didn’t know you guys were gonna be here tonight.”
“It was a spur-of-the-moment thing. Devyn wants to do all the Halloween things.” Ryker smiles affectionately at his wife.
She giggles, squeezing his hand. “I can’t help it. I love Halloween, and I love my husband. The two things together are pure magic.” Devyn nods at Trent, a puzzled expression on her face. “Where’s Lexi and Sophia?”
“Bathroom. We’re heading to meet them now,” Trent answers.
“Did you guys just get here?” I ask Ryker as they fall in step beside me.
“About fifteen minutes ago. When we arrived, my wife dragged me to the dancing scarecrows.”
“I couldn’t help it. They were so entertaining.” Devyn’s smile is huge as she squeezes her husband’s hand.
I chuckle, my gaze moving to the bathroom door. Sophia is leaning against the wall, reading her phone. A wide smile covers her face as she greets Devyn and Ryker.
But when her eyes land on me, her brows furrow and her expression is puzzled.
“Is Lexi still in the restroom?”
Sophia’s eyes widen as she stares at me in shock, shaking her head. “No, she went before me. She was waiting outside while I used it. She texted me saying she was going into the corn maze with you.”
I’ve already thrust the cups of coffee into Ryker’s hands, reaching for Sophia’s phone. “Lemme see that.”
Dread and fear churn inside me as I read her text.
Shaking my head, I hand Sophia’s phone to her. “It wasn’t me.” Then I whirl around, sprinting into the maze.
Fear grips my heart as I run, reasonably confident I know who’s behind this. And that son of a bitch is gonna die tonight.
My ears strain as my pulse thunders against my skin. Adrenaline hums through my veins as my gaze frantically searches for her, knowing time isn’t on my side. This massive maze has many twists, turns, and dead ends.
I hear my friends’ distant voices as they enter the corn maze, but I don’t have time to wait. Every cell inside my body screams that she’s in danger.
Fucking Huntley.
Trent uncovered a lot of information about him, which we planned to release to administrative personnel this weekend. Once the admins read their emails on Monday morning, I’m confident Huntley will be fired and banned from campus.
Nausea churns in my gut as the video of Huntley making shallow cuts all over Tamara Pearson’s body. Tarama, an eighteen-year-old freshman, was violently raped by him after he finished cutting her.
The video repeats inside my head as I search for Lexi and Huntley. Fear and rage circle inside me, fighting for dominance. I’ll be damned if I’m gonna let him do that to my woman.
But as I continue searching in vain with no sight of them, I feel myself spiraling completely out of control. Terror causes my chin and lips to tremble as I gasp for air.
It feels like I’ve been running forever. Lexi’s name rasps from my lips as tears burn behind my eyelids. I refuse to let them fall, knowing that will only impede me.
Come on, bellissima. Where are you?
My eyes dart to the left and right, adjusting to the darkness as I move further into the cornfield.
Then I hear her scream.
I whip around, pumping my arms and legs, corn stalks thrashing my face as I head toward the sound. My jaw is clenched so hard my teeth ache as I round the corner and freeze.
A figure hovers over her, wearing a black hoodie, dark jeans, and a Ghostface mask.
Lexi is on the ground, fighting him off as she flails, twists, and kicks beneath him.
“Poor scared Lexi.” An evil laugh rips from his lips. He has her shirt off, and I watch in horror as the knife slices her abdomen.
“Please stop.” Tears course down her cheeks, causing my heart to squeeze inside my chest.
An animalistic growl tears from my throat as I lunge. My hands grip his throat, dragging him away from her.
Rage turns the world red as I whip him around to face me, my fists pummeling his stomach and chest before I kick him in the groin. He howls, dropping to his knees, and I tear the mask off his face.
I knew it. Fucking Huntley.
“I gave you one fucking warning. Now, you’re dead.”
Like a psychopath who has lost their damn mind, I attack, my rage taking me over.
I hear Sophia and Devyn’s gasps as they run over to Lexi.
I’m aware that Trent and Ryker stand a few feet away, watching me lose my shit, cheering when they hear the crack of his bones beneath my knuckles.
“He’s been giving Lexi a hard time the whole semester.” I hear Trent saying to Ryker. “Lemme tell you what that asshole Huntley did to a freshman.”
“He should die just for giving Lexi a hard time,” Ryker says. “But tell me what that motherfucker did.”
Their voices fade as I pummel the threat into oblivion.
He’s barely conscious when I grab the knife from his hand. “You think you can cut up my woman?” I rip his sweatshirt off. “Think again, motherfucker.”
I carve his chest up like a deranged pumpkin, ensuring the cuts are shallow so he suffers.
“You’re a worthless piece of shit that gets off on abusing his power over every young woman on campus. That’ll never fucking happen again.”
A hand on my arm stops me. “Let me cut him before you end him.”
I turn my head, staring into Lexi’s eyes. “Are you okay, bellissima?”
Her expression softens as she looks into my eyes. “I am now. Because of you.” I hold the knife out to her, and she grabs it. Then she presses her lips against mine.
“No.” I pull back, turning my head away. “I don’t want you to see me like this.” My voice lowers. “I don’t want you to see the monster.”
Her hand moves to my cheek. “Look at me, Evan.”
I blow out a breath, my head slowly turning to look at her.
“I love every part of you. Man and beast.” She gives me a soft smile, love shining in her eyes. It washes over me, brighter than the stars in the sky.
“I’m not afraid of you. You’d never hurt me.” Her lips curl into a smirk. “Not in any way I wouldn’t like.”
A growl rumbles through my chest as I grab her, planting my lips on hers in a deep, soul-searing kiss.
Even though the darkness consumes me, she shines her light into me, guiding me home.
Pulling back, I give her a soft smile. “Carve him. I need to end his life to ensure he’ll never fucking hurt you again.”