Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 98755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
They are both part of who I am.
“Something doesn’t make sense, though. Your pattern, or the serial killer’s. The strangling of one of the victims and the broken neck of another. You’re five foot nothing, so how did you pull that off?” Anya asks me.
I click my tongue and look away, furious. Those two kills tarnished my legacy. “They weren’t my kills. And it kind of pisses me off they’re assumed to be my victims. But it’s not like I can correct the police or the media.”
Anya laughs. “My, my. What a little ego. We definitely have to work on that because it will be your undoing, and you’ll get caught.”
“But you’ll bail me out, right?” I ask, batting my lashes.
She smiles in return. “I knew you were my favorite niece for a reason.”
“I’m your only niece,” I remind her as she pulls me in for a hug.
My father huffs, acting annoyed by our camaraderie. But deep down, I can see the twinkle in his eyes. The approval. The quiet confidence and pride. He might not ever say it out loud, especially in front of my mother, but I feel it. And I feel whole. Finally.
“We won’t share this with your mother just yet,” he says.
“Do we have to tell her?” I ask, and he pins me with a glare. It would be easier if we didn’t. I don’t like lying to her, but I don’t think she’ll be as accepting as they are.
“Your mother loves you. She’ll just need time to adjust. It will eat at her, knowing there is something in your life you can’t trust her with,” he says. “If she can love a monster like me, let me assure you, she will love her only child.” I want to cry all over again. My father is a man of few words, but when he does speak, it’s with confidence and conviction. “However, the next time you have the urge to kill someone, you will be calling me. Do you understand?”
I nod, trying not to smile.
“And me,” Anya adds with a smirk. I’m not sure why I would call either of them; it’s something I enjoy doing alone. But their moral support is nice.
“Anything else we should know about?” Dad asks.
I bite my bottom lip. I think about the glass sculptures, but that feels like mine and Braxton’s secret. And if I tell them about them, they’ll storm his place immediately to get rid of the evidence. But selfishly, I want him to have those.
“Nope,” I lie.
My father stares at me skeptically, and I’m certain he knows I’m lying.
“I have to work now,” I tell them, trying to usher them out.
“You know, if you came under our employment, you could get paid for killing,” my aunt says.
“No. She’ll focus on her sculptures,” Dad bites back.
Anya shrugs. “Why? Killing pays more.”
I try not to laugh, but then I sober when my father turns before closing the door and says, “Hope, stop talking to that detective. I mean it.” And then he closes the door behind them.
My heart drops, and all of my fluttery excitement is short-lived as another burden weighs on me.
Braxton.
He’s either a liability or the love of my life.
How could someone in his position ever love a monster like me?
But deep down, I hope there’s a sliver of a chance that he can embrace and accept me.
Even without my father’s warnings, I know that’s a pipe dream.
My back hits the door, and I slide down to the floor, running my filthy hands through my hair, as I once again conclude the only ending we’ll ever have…is with his death.
So how do I kill the only man I’ve ever loved?
Maybe the “how” no longer matters. This is all about self-preservation, so the only factor I need to focus on now…is when.
CHAPTER 40
Braxton
I sit in my car, waiting and watching as the Ivanov twins leave. Hope doesn’t go with them. I want to know why they showed up. I know they’re family, but why did both of them come to visit her? I can’t help but think it’ll always be something sinister with the likes of people like them.
She seemed surprised when they arrived. I’m certain it won’t be long before I receive a visit of my own. When Alek spots my car, I decide going back up to see his daughter is not the wisest decision. But I can’t help smirking as I put my sunglasses on. It satisfies me to see his gaze narrow on me. If anything, I find it flattering that he sees me as a threat. As he should.
I see him as one as well, but for an entirely different reason than we’re on opposite sides of the law. No, I know for certain Alek Ivanov will do anything in his power to keep Hope and me apart. Too bad for him I’m so hooked on his daughter that I can’t seem to set myself free. Looks like he’ll literally have to pry Hope from my cold, dead hands.