CHAPTER ELEVEN
Listening to Kade’s rhythmic breathing, Lexi pulled her heavy-lidded eyes to the four paned window along the far wall.
There was a raging snowstorm on the other side of the frozen glass, causing the cabin to creak and groan with the wind.
It only added to her growing anxiety. If she was to go through with her plan, how the hell would she get down the mountain?
Her winter driving skills were poor at best, she would probably end up killing herself in the process.
Maybe this is a sign? Maybe I should just wait it out until the weather clears up some?
It’s not like time is of the essence, here.
And that way, maybe I can talk to him and really get to know him?
Figure out what makes him tick? If I do that then I won’t drive myself crazy for the rest of my life trying to figure out the answers to the questions I never asked.
HA! Yeah, right. Do that and you’ll never be able to escape. He’ll only worm his way into your heart if you do that. Look at you...you’re already smitten. No! Fuck him! The less you know about him, the better. Now get out of bed and find the damn knife! Finish this!
Debating her racing thoughts, she listened to the aggressive voice in her head.
Holding her breath, she slowly wiggled her body away from his slumbering form.
Inch by inch she moved over the lumpy queen-sized mattress as quietly as she could.
Halfway towards the edge of the bed, she felt her captor stir.
Almost on instinct, his long arm jetted away from his torso to find her.
Freezing in place, she closed her eyes as she felt his heavy paw slap down across her hip. Holding her breath, she heard him mumble something gruff. She couldn’t quite make out the words, but it sounded possessive and dark. Even in his sleep, it seemed as if he needed her to stay by his side.
Oh well. He can’t have you! Now hurry! Before you chicken out. Dawn will be breaking soon. Don’t lose this precious opportunity!
Opening her eyes, she carefully turned her head to look at him. Watching his face soften in the filtered moonlight, she felt her confidence falter. He looked so sweet and pure as he snuggled his pillow. How could she possibly kill him?
Don’t be a dumb bitch! Just find a blade and slit his throat! Easy peasy! Stop pretending like you don’t know what the fuck to do! Now stop looking at him and MOVE YOUR ASS!
Knowing that the angry voice in her head was right, she psyched herself up.
Silently counting to thirty-three, she gently eased herself from his hold.
Scooting her naked body off the bed, she shivered as the cold air of the room hit her bare skin.
She didn’t know what was worse, staying in bed and overthinking herself to madness, or walking around the freezing cabin completely nude.
Using the chilly temperature as motivation, she tiptoed her way around the bed towards the old staircase.
Reaching for the black railing, she slowly made her way down the stairs.
Remembering the way Kade’s weight had made the fourth step creak, she hopped over the broken plank and landed at the foot of the stairs with a loud thud.
Wincing from her stupid miscalculation, she hunched her shoulders and waited for him to jump out of bed. How could she be so stupid? The cabin was ancient, she needed to be careful if she wanted to be successful.
Waiting for a long minute, she sighed in relief when she realized her captor was still fast asleep. Hearing him snoring softly above her, she let out a thankful sigh. Padding her way to the back of the A-Frame, she felt a rush of confidence as she reached the kitchen.
“You’ve got this! You’ve totally got this,” she whispered to herself.
Stepping into the tiny kitchen, she began her search.
Starting with the vertical row of oak drawers next to the avocado green refrigerator, she opened them one by one.
Carefully inspecting the sparse contents inside each shallow drawer, she felt her frustration bubble.
Just where were the fucking utensils? She would freeze to death before she found anything resembling a weapon.
A metal whisk and plastic measuring cups wouldn’t do a damn thing.
Gritting her teeth, she worked her way down the line of cabinets.
Still not finding anything of value, she was on the verge of giving up her search when she stumbled across a tiny drawer nestled in the corner of the kitchen.
Carefully opening it, she nearly screamed with excitement when she realized what was inside.
Even in the overwhelming darkness of the room, she could make out the ragged blades of five steak knives.
Feeling her heartbeat quicken, she reached into the drawer and grasped onto the wooden handle of the one closest to her.
It wasn’t a very large blade, maybe only five inches long at best, but it had a decent heft to it.
She had dispatched men with smaller knives before. This one would certainly work.
“Fuck yes!” she whispered.
Ecstatic with her newfound treasure, she lifted the steak knife from the plastic utensil divider. She couldn’t believe her luck, everything was finally going her way. Her confidence was short-lived, however. Just as she pulled the blade from the drawer, she heard a deep voice boom behind her.
“I know what you’re looking for, Sweetheart,” Kade bellowed, his large body draping over the side of the loft’s open railing.
Jumping in fear, Lexi dropped the knife back into the drawer and quickly pushed it closed. Turning to face her handsome abductor, she raised her chin and gave him a full smile. Putting on a demeanor of innocence, she shrugged her shoulders and stepped away from the cabinets.
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Just act stupid! Play dumb!
“You do?” she asked sweetly, folding her arms over her pert tits.
“Mmhmm, ” he hummed, raking his eyes up and down her naked form. “But you won’t find what you’re looking for in there.”
Swallowing hard, she shivered nervously as she walked towards him. Trying her best to seem unassuming, she let out a small laugh. Oh, if only he knew how wrong he was.
“I won’t?” she asked.
“Nope,” he responded, standing to full height.
“There’s nothing in the kitchen, all the food I brought is in the duffel bag by the front door.
It’s not much, just some protein bars, nuts, and those applesauce squeezy things you love.
But it’ll tide us over until we go into town tomorrow and get some groceries. ”
“Ah! Yeah, I was wondering where the food was,” she said, rubbing her palms along her upper arms for warmth.
“Yeah so, why don’t you grab the bag and bring it upstairs. We’ll snuggle and have a little feast in bed. How does that sound?” he asked.
“Sounds perfect,” she replied.
“Good girl. Now be quick about it before the bed gets too cold,” he ordered.
Nodding her head, she quickly headed towards the front door. Thank God he didn’t suspect anything. Her plan was foiled, but her efforts hadn’t been entirely in vain. She knew exactly where she needed to go the next time an opportunity arose.
Picking up the heavy black bag, she slung it over her sore shoulder.
Hurrying her way back towards the staircase, she grabbed onto the railing and climbed the wooden steps two at a time.
Stopping herself at the top of the stairs, she smiled anxiously as Kade stalked to where she stood.
She couldn’t tell what he seemed hungrier for, the food or her.
“You’re so damn beautiful, you know that?” he asked, leaning down to kiss her cheek.
“So are you,” she said without thinking, wincing as soon as the words left her mouth.
Lifting his lips into a devilish smirk, Kade took the backpack from her and tossed it onto the mattress.
She seemed so awkward and innocent, almost like a blushing virgin.
It was a complete departure from the wanton girl begging him to strangle her only hours before.
He loved that she had the ability to be both. How did he get so lucky?
“I’m glad you think so, Sweetheart. Now get back in bed before you catch a cold,” he demanded.
Obeying her captor’s instruction, she eagerly climbed into the bed and yanked the plush comforter around her shivering body. It felt so good to be surrounded by cozy warmth once again. She might as well enjoy the calm before the storm.
Slipping under the covers, he sat his tired body next to hers and bent down to kiss the side of her head.
It was his fault for not getting her anything to eat or drink after their little escapade, his poor little minx was no doubt starving from all her physical exertion.
He would be more mindful of her aftercare next time.
Grabbing the stuffed bag, he dropped it onto his lap.
Rummaging through its inner pockets, he quickly removed a handful of random snacks.
Handing her the applesauce pouch, he smiled warmly as he watched her snap open the lid and greedily suck out its flavorful contents.
It was always a pleasure watching her eat.
“Good girl,” he praised, handing her a second pouch before she was finished with the first. “Eat up and then we will go back to sleep.”
Swallowing a mouthful of applesauce blended with strawberries, Lexi gave him a quizzical look.
There was too much adrenaline in her muscles, sleeping was the last thing she wanted to do.
They might as well have a much-needed conversation.
She wanted answers to all the questions that had been swirling around in her mind since she had woken up the first day in the bunker.
“I was hoping that maybe we could talk, instead?” she asked, trying her best to ignore the critical voice in her head screaming at her to stop.
Pulling a chocolate chip protein bar from the pile of goodies, he shrugged his weighty shoulders and cleared his throat.
While it made him slightly uncomfortable, he knew that this talk needed to happen.
She deserved some answers. He knew everything about her, it was only fair that she knew every sordid detail about him.
“Of course, my love,” he purred. “I would love to talk to you. Ask me anything.”
Drawing in a ragged breath, she cracked open the second pouch of sauce. There was a real chance that his answers would only terrify her more, but it was a risk she was willing to take. She needed a sense of closure before she could fully commit to taking his life.
“Why do you have those necklaces?” she asked.
Pausing a moment, Kade mulled over the question. For a moment he thought about lying, but what good would that do?
“Well...they remind me of them. Of the time we spent together. There’s a lot of sentimental value.
Each of those necklaces meant something to them.
They were gifts from their loved ones. Mothers, sisters, best friends.
..boyfriends. They held a special moment for them, and now they hold a special moment for me”.
“So, they’re your trophies?” she asked.
Lifting a brow, he nodded his head, “Yeah, I guess so. As cliche as it sounds.”
“So, you must’ve killed them, then?” she asked, keeping her green eyes glued on his suddenly solemn face.
Pressing his lips into a fine line, Kade’s mind drifted to each of his girls.
In a matter of seconds, he relieved each of their final breaths on earth.
They all looked so beautiful, so serene as they slipped from this plane of existence.
He honestly hadn’t given much thought to them once Lexi came into his life.
Now, however, he found himself missing them. It annoyed him to no end.
“I did,” he stated darkly.
Licking a drop of applesauce from her lips, she felt a cold shiver race down her spine. Her gut had been right all along. She knew he was a psychopathic serial killer.
“Are there others?” she continued, not sure if she wanted the answer.
Meeting her steady gaze, he let out a heavy sigh. Yes, he had killed others, but not for pleasure. She didn’t need to know that, though. Not yet at least. They would go over that another time, probably right before his Boss requested a meeting.
“No, just the six.”
Soaking in his words, Lexi sat silently as her mind reeled. Those poor women. They didn’t deserve what happened to them. It made her feel insanely guilty. How could she possibly have feelings for the animal that had stolen their lives? She should be the one that was dead, not them.
“Why me?” she asked, staring directly into his stormy eyes. “Why the hell are you letting me live?”
Chewing on the smooth tissue of his inner cheek, he weighed his love’s loaded question. There were a multitude of reasons why she captivated his attention, but only one that truly stood out. Leaning in close, he gave her a wild grin and offered the only explanation that mattered.
“Because my love, you’re a monster, too. You’re just like me.”