Chapter 3
Chapter
Three
HIM
U nfortunately, I’ve overslept.
It is my day off, but recent events have left me more fatigued than usual. Despite all my planning, my latest target proved to be more resilient than expected. And I have the bruises to prove it.
Benjamin Wilson, a business entrepreneur—and a serial rapist who preys on his victims by drugging them and then violating them at his leisure. The bastard managed to land a few punches before I slammed a heavy, gaudy statue into his skull. Blunt-force trauma is not something I normally resort to; I prefer stealth and knives over close-quarters combat. But one must do what is necessary to survive.
And I must ensure that justice is served. Can’t rely on the corrupt police.
Unfortunately, even after that, Ben still had a lot of fight left in him. It took him more time than usual to bleed out and finally succumb to blood loss. Perhaps if I had increased his dose, he wouldn’t have been such a pain in the ass to deal with in the first place.
I won’t make that mistake again.
Angry shouting filters in from the apartment across the hall. Curses tumble from my mouth as I check my alarm clock: 10:59 AM. The perpetrators are Alex Harris, the resident tweaker, and his drug dealer. One of them, at least. I have tried to talk to Nancy about him, but she gives him a free pass because he—somehow—always pays his rent on time. I’ve even tried to talk to Alex myself, but he’s always too high to have a conversation.
I’m at my wit’s end—and I’m starting to get a little stab happy .
But I can’t shit where I sleep, so I throw on some clothes and storm out of my apartment. I cross the hall and bang on Alex’s door. “What the hell is going on in there?!” I shout, my old southern lilt creeping in.
Ugh. It reminds me of my tyrannical mother.
And that just makes me even angrier.
The door opens a crack, and Alex’s bloodshot eyes peer out. “What do you want?”
“Could you please keep it down?” I say in the blandest, most basic of American accents I’ve perfected over the years. “Some people are trying?—”
“I’m busy,” he snaps, slamming the door in my face.
Anger has me clenching my fists as I head back inside my apartment. Sitting on the couch doesn’t help me calm down; I can still hear Alex’s stupid fucking voice. I want nothing more right now than to cut him in half and dispose of his body somewhere in the park. But I stow away my rage, trudging to the bathroom before stripping off my pajama sweatpants.
I turn on the shower and step in without waiting for it to warm up. Eventually, the water becomes hot and I let it soothe my back, unwinding any knots. I stay in longer than usual, leaning my head against the tile wall, imagining Alex choking on his own blood from the slashes on his neck.
After rinsing, I turn off the shower and grab my threadbare towel from the rack. I dry off and head to my bedroom, putting on the first clean shirt and jeans I see. Glancing at my reflection in the mirror, I notice my natural brown roots beginning to show and make a mental note to buy more black hair dye.
I put on my fake prescription glasses and plaster on a friendly smile. These days, I’m Blake Sullivan, copy editor for the Fallbank Chronicle. I’m finally putting my degree to good use. It’s an excellent cover; no one would suspect the quiet and humble editor of the local newspaper to be a serial killer. He’s talented, but not overly confident enough to stick out like a sore thumb. He doesn’t have any tattoos or piercings—nothing that will stand out.
Thoroughly average. A complete square.
Not like my beloved Gwendoline Cirillo—or Mia Underwood, her current chosen persona. I have been hunting her across the northeast for some time now, but she is unaware of my pursuit. Despite changing identities almost as much as I do, she’s still Cameron’s magnetic, beautiful daughter. She can’t fool me, and she cannot escape me this time.
From the moment I saw her all those years ago, I knew she was mine. Her secret can’t stay hidden forever. She is a woman whose darkness matches my own. I will never let her go—because people like us are meant to be together.
One day, she’ll surely understand.
I’ll make her understand.
I pad to the kitchen, my stomach rumbling. Opening the refrigerator, I’m met with a disappointing sight: a half-eaten pizza, wilted lettuce, and a carton of milk about to expire. I sigh and close the door, opting for toast instead.
Helping my dear Gwen move her boxes into her apartment made her so grateful, so happy. Seeing her smile is like witnessing the first bloom of blood from a freshly cut artery. Euphoric, exhilarating. I spent the evening watching her. She almost caught me, but that was on purpose. I wanted to plant a seed of unease in her.
I watched as she undressed, her breasts bouncing as she removed her bra. She is a goddess, perfection carved in marble. And her tattoo, which spans her upper back and part of her shoulders, is very telling. It’s a bird, but I am unsure of what kind. I’m not even sure if she knows, either. Her desire to escape her past and rebel led her to get it in Massachusetts while inebriated with friends.
As my breakfast erupts from the toaster, it comes to me .
Little Finch .
And unlike the Little Bunny, I won’t let this precious creature go extinct.
I drive to the pawn shop on the outskirts of downtown and park. I can’t take any chances that Gwen will see me—at least not yet. After securing my car, I make my way to Tetra Brew to fuel up. Standing in line, I can’t help but long for the diner I used to frequent back in Vermont. Mackay’s was always busy, but never too crowded. Their grub wasn’t the best, but there’s something about small-town food joints that just hits differently.
Finally, it’s my turn to order. I choose iced coffee and a blueberry muffin. The barista quickly prepares my order, and I find a table by the window to watch the people walking by. I sip my coffee and contain the smirk that threatens to tug at my lips; the residents of Fallbank have no idea what’s in store for them.
Because I’ll be making headlines they’ll never forget.
Feeling refreshed and invigorated, I rise from my chair—and then I see her passing by the window. She doesn’t notice me staring, her brows scrunched in concentration as she power-walks to her destination. I wait a moment before departing Tetra Brew, tailing Gwen as she crosses the street and enters Epic Flix Rentals. Vaguely, I wonder if her other attempts at employment didn’t pan out. I know this because earlier, I slipped inside her apartment and snooped before leaving.
Then I wait. And watch.
When the owner, Brian MacDonald, inches too close to her for comfort, my nostrils flare. I take a deep breath and collect myself, pushing down the murderous urges that bubble up, and head over. Inside, a girl named Zoey, as per her nametag, greets me with a cheeky smile behind the counter. I pause, observing how Gwen stands her ground against the taller, chunkier man, despite her smaller stature.
As expected from the daughter of the Lakestone Reaper.
Discretely, I meander into a nearby aisle and eavesdrop on their conversation while browsing through the uninteresting comedy movies.
“You think you can handle this job, missy?” Brian asks, his tone condescending.
Gwen’s brows furrow. “Of course I can handle it, Mr. MacDonald. I’m more than qualified.”
“This store can get quite busy, especially on Fridays and Saturdays. We’re the only video rental place in Fallbank.” He folds his arms across his chest. “I need someone who can handle the pressure. Someone who can think on their feet.”
What’s so hard about working at a video store? I think, browsing a few droll titles. This idiot acts like she’s applying for NASA or something .
“I can do that,” she says confidently. “I’m a quick learner, and I’m eager to prove myself. ”
Brian remains silent for a moment, staring at Gwen with his arms still crossed. I can tell that she is getting frustrated. Subconsciously, she picks at her nails and inhales a deep breath through her nose.
“Fine. You’re hired. Don’t mess this up,” he says finally.
She nods, a smile spreading across her face. “I won’t.”
“Show me what you can do,” he instructs, gesturing toward Zoey. “Think of this as a sorta trial period to prove your chops. If you can’t handle the job, you’re out.”
Gwen’s face flashes with anger, but she’s quick to bury the emotion. “Fine,” she says, accepting his challenge. She walks behind the counter, her shoulders stiff with determination.
I can’t help but be in awe of her. She’s a fighter, and I’m confident she’ll show her new boss what she’s capable of.
After all, the daughter of a serial killer is not someone to be trifled with.
Zoey provides a brief overview of the store’s operations. Here’s my cue . I wander over to the horror section, feign indecision, and head to the front of the store. As I pass by Brian, I offer a small smile, but he doesn’t reciprocate. Such a pleasant sort.
I approach the counter and paste on my warmest smile. “Excuse me. I’m looking to rent a movie, but I’m not sure what to choose.”
Zoey nudges Gwen with her elbow. “Go ahead,” she murmurs. “Show that jerk what you’re made of. ”
“I heard that!” Brian scolds.
“Sorry, boss,” Zoey says, twirling loose strands of hair around her finger.
Gwen turns, recognition lighting up her face. “Oh, hey. Didn’t expect to see you here, Blake.” She thinks for a moment before continuing. “Have an idea of what you’re looking for?”
I’ll make this easy for you . “I’m in the mood for something exciting, scary, and … bloody. So, horror films. Have any recommendations? I’m not too familiar with the genre.”
“I’m a big horror movie fan. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a true classic of the genre. It’s brutal, terrifying, and unforgettable. Halloween is another classic that’s still scary today. It’s simple but effective.” The gears turn in her head a moment before she resumes. “Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining is more of a slow-burn than the others, but it’s an incredibly effective horror film.”
I steal a glance at Brian, and I can see that he’s taken aback by my Little Finch’s knowledge of horror movies. She loves them, just like me. Of course, I already knew that, but damn. A woman after my heart.
“We also recently received a shipment of new horror movies, and?—”
“No, no. That’s okay. You’ve already done more than enough.” I smile. “ Halloween sounds like my kind of movie.”
“Great choice,” Gwen says. “But it’s not for the faint of heart.”
Her tone is teasing. But I decide to mess with her, test her. “My heart is in no danger of fainting, thank you. But what about you?” I lean closer and lower my voice. “You don’t spook at the slightest provocation, do you?”
She blinks, processing my words before her expression shifts back to a lighter one. “I’m not easily scared.” We’ll see about that . “Anyway, I’ll go get your movie.”
Zoey motions to the shelf behind the counter, and then retreats to the employees-only break room. Gwen searches the shelves before raising her arm and selecting the movie. I can’t help but admire her slightly exposed midriff and how those shorts cling to her hips and ass in just the right way. Fuck, her body really does something to me. She ruins me, my obsession.
She returns to the counter and slides a copy of Halloween toward me. “Here you go,” she says. “I hope you enjoy it.”
“I’m sure I will,” I say. “I mean, you recommended it and all. So how could I not?”
Did I lay it on too thick too soon? I can’t help it; I enjoy watching her squirm.
She tries to hide the blush that colors her cheeks but fails miserably. I chuckle softly as she scans the box and taps some keys on the register. “That will be $2.50. Have you rented with us before?”
I allow the corner of my mouth to lift, purposefully showing off a dimple. “Yep. I have a card and everything,” I say, fishing it out of my wallet and handing it to her, along with the exact change.
She explains the store policy, as is mandatory for this chain. There’s no denying that she’s attractive. Even with her chipped nails she has a bad habit of picking at when she’s stressed. The shadowed bags under her beautiful green eyes that peek through the concealer. Her voice— damn . I could stand here and listen to her talk for the entire day.
She bags up the tape, slips the receipt inside, and hands it to me. “Enjoy your movie, Blake.”
I chuckle again. “I will, Mia. Congrats on the job,” I say, shooting Brian a pointed frown over my shoulder as I exit the store.
I get into my car, start the engine, and lean back in my seat. I want to destroy Gwen, but I also want to protect her. She makes me want to be soft. I want to run my hands through her hair and press gentle kisses on every inch of her flesh. I want to mark that same flesh—tear it up, scar it, turn the sheets red.
I want her to be by my side. She must be by my side. I will accept nothing less.
I’m going to make her mine—and only mine—one way or another.
No matter what it takes.