“Hey Lieutenant, sorry I missed your calls. I was …”
“I don’t give a good goddamn what you were doing. I know you are off, and I know you have the right to a life, but the next time I call you better fucking answer. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, Sir. Do you need me to come in?” Shit, he’s pissed.
“Yes. This has to do with the damn Mad Hatter. There were four bodies burnt to a crisp, and we have to identify them by their teeth. But, per the librarian last night, there were students in the building at the time the fire broke out.”
“Fuck, alright. Let me get home and change. I’ll be in within the next hour.”
“Make it less than an hour, Detective Vega.”
With a long stretch,I arch my back and sigh with disappointment. Drew isn't in the bed when I get up. I've never slept so soundly before. I feel safe when I'm in his arms. It's hard to believe I'm here with him.
Picking up the note, I read it and think about how long I have before he's back. I think about my list and who I could kill but think twice about going after anyone this early in the morning. Guilt runs through me, and it's the first time it has knocked me for a loop. I don't normally feel anything after I've killed someone. It's a mission. It needs to be done.
Right now, though?
I'm feeling all kinds of guilty. I can only imagine it's because I have feelings for Drew, and I know that if the truth comes out, he will never forgive me. But I can't stop. Not yet. Not until the last person is six feet under. I check my phone and see there's going to be a party tonight. They know it's a school night and they have a curfew. Yet, they still throw parties. How fucking dumb can they be?
It will be a good night to get Tweedledum and Maggie his stupid as fuck girlfriend. My anger at Maggie is a bit more personal than with Tweedledum. She had been my best friend since the tender age of five. The girl was my shadow and I hers. We used to confide in each other about everything and anything we could think about.
When she recorded the rape, she showed me her true colors. She even said it was her idea to post it to social media. She thought it would do wonders for my popularity. Well, darling Maggie, I have a fucking surprise for you, you little bitch.
The door to the house opens and I tremble with anticipation at seeing Drew.
"Hey Short Stack, I'm glad you're up. I've got to go to work. I have time to take you to school."
My smile turns into a frown. "We're back to Short Stack?"
Drew stops mid-walk and turns to me. He comes over and holds my face in his large hands. "You are my short stack and my sweet angel. Don't you pout at me."
I make my lower lip tremble on purpose. It's to goad him, but to be honest, to hear him call me anything makes me happy. He kisses my lips softly, patiently. I whimper as I put my arms around his neck and he deepens our kiss. I lose myself in the taste of his tongue in my mouth. It's addicting how he tastes, like cinnamon and peppermint. I just want him to keep kissing me.
"That's my girl. Go get dressed, and I'll fix some leftover pizza and some coffee to take with us."
I don't move. I enjoy being in his arms. Without thinking, I kiss down his throat, licking his rising pulse. He groans and I push into him.
"Maddie, stop." He pulls away but keeps his hands on my arms. "We can't do this. You ..."
I jerk away from him. "Fine. Whatever," I snap. I'm being childish, and I know it. He steps back and my heart hurts. Coldness surrounds me as he takes his body heat away from me. Drew walks away, and I feel as if I'm scaring him. It's probably for the best since I'm the criminal he's trying to hunt down.
* * *
The library fireis all everyone is talking about at school. I keep my head down, but I am wearing a smirk. I look at them as they look at their lockers. Screams and panic ensues. Yeah, fuckers, enjoy. I giggle as they all start running around, wondering what the hell is going on.Why do people have white rabbit cards? Who’s going to be next?These bastards and bitches don't know that the person they are talking about is me. They think it's some dude doing a random killing here or there. But it's not, it’s me. I’d love to see their faces when they find out who The Mad Hatter is.
I'm walking to the bus stop when someone from behind pushes me.
"Oops, didn't see the trash there. I bet you’re next." Maggie Redheart stares at me and laughs as she and the fake girls she hangs out with walk out to the school parking lot.
"What? No big brother's friend to pick you up today?" I count to twenty to calm myself. My hands clench at my sides, ready to tear into them.
"Not today. He's busy with The Mad Hatter case." I leave it at that and walk away. The need to slice their throats runs wild inside of my brain. Patience, I tell myself.Patience.
Drew had sent me a text message letting me know he was working on the case all night, and that I should ride the school bus to his house. Fuck that. He doesn't want me either, so I might as well go home and be alone.
As I get onto the bus, my phone dings. "Wrong bus, Short Stack."
I look out the window and there Drew is. The fight to not smile is strong, but I cave. My lips quirk into a smile before I can stop myself. He winks at me and comes around to the bus door.
