Page 70 of Burn Me Down

I glanced at him, the pit in my stomach widening with each beat of my heart. “Because Adam Grady didn’t die in the asylum fire.” The humor in Chase’s eyes disappeared. “I set him free when I left.”

“Why the fuck would you do that?”

That was an excellent question. Looking back, it was a terrible idea. “Because I set it up to look like I died in the fire, but I needed someone to take the fall while I hunted down my targets. He was crazy enough that people would believe he set the fire. Also…it was a kind of a fuck you to the world. When you’re that angry, you just want everyone to die, and he is good at what he does.”

“Fuck me.” Chase rubbed his eyes. “What do you need me to do?”

“Nothing, at least not yet, but I will need to keep your truck tonight.”

“Whatever, man, keep it if you want. I have lots. Shit…a fucking serial killer showdown, that’s fucked up.”

“I’m not a serial killer,” I said, and Chase laughed. Glaring at him I swore under my breath. I wasn’t anymore. The last person I ever wanted to see again was Adam. Karma was a cunt.

The metal groaned as I scaled the fire escape to Beck’s place. I’d done this so many times that I could be the next Spiderman. All the lights were on, and I could hear music playing as I reached her apartment.

Giving the alley and neighboring building a final glance, I jimmied the window open and slipped inside. This was the first time I’d been allowed to be here. It was refreshing to walk down the hallway looking for Beck and not have to hide.

She was humming, and I followed the sound until I found her folding clothes out of a hamper. She looked adorable in her socked feet and flowy little shorts, wearing an oversized t-shirt that could’ve doubled as a dress.

I leaned against the doorway and took my first deep breath since I had learned about Adam. He might not know it was me, or he might not even know it was his son. He never talked about anything other than how to survive in the asylum or wanting to live in someone else’s skin. Literally, the visuals he painted in his many tirades were vivid enough for me to know that I never wanted to get on his bad side. Then again, I didn’t think a person needed to be on his bad or good side for him to want to kill you. I didn’t know he had a family at all, let alone that he’d killed his wife.

“Ah!” Beck screamed as she turned in my direction. She clutched the towels to her chest as she closed her eyes and called me colorful names that were quite interesting. “Jesus, Derek. You just scared the shit out of me.”

“I’m sorry, but you look….” I took her in from head to toe as I walked across the room to greet her. “Unbelievably sexy, and I couldn’t help myself.”

“Is that so?”

I wrapped my arms around her waist and dropped my lips to hers. I’d never grow tired of her touch. When you lived the life I had, the things that were truly important in this world were crystal clear.

“Are you staying here tonight,” she asked, and I didn’t like the idea of being here in this apartment. I wanted to whisk her away to the other side of the world and hide her from Adam forever, just to be safe.

“No, I don’t feel safe here. I won’t sleep. Do you mind coming back to the house?” I groaned as I slid my hands over her ass, and my body definitely thought that staying here was a better option. “You don’t want your neighbors calling the cops because I’m making you scream,” I teased, pulling her into my body. Her chest brushed mine, and I licked my lips as I stared down the gap of her shirt.

“You are trouble, mister,” Beck said.

“Please, Cookie,” I begged and stuck out my lower lip, making her laugh.

“Okay, okay. How can I say no to that face?”

“Oh, now I know how to make you say yes all the time.” Kissing her cheek, I let my lips linger. “Grab a bag with whatever you need, and we’ll get going.”

“I actually already have one set to go.” She smiled. “I had a feeling we wouldn’t be staying here. We do need to have a serious talk about how to make this work when you’re wanted, and I work a normal job.”

I sighed. “I know, and we will, but first, let’s get some disgusting drive-thru for dinner and ice cream for dessert. Then I’m going to eat you for my second dessert. I’m feeling very fucking hungry tonight.” Beck’s cheeks flamed bright red as she bit her lip and looked away. So sexy. I forced myself to step away before I dragged her to the bed. It didn’t take her long to get dressed, and I picked up the large duffel she’d packed.

“So, this is how you were getting in and out?” Beck shook her head as she pulled the hood up on her black hoodie. I tossed her bag out onto the fire escape.

“It is. I did it every night,” I said, climbing out and holding my hand to help her through. “Be careful. This thing is not in the best of shape.”

“And no one ever saw you?”

“If they did, they didn’t report it.” I fiddled with the window until it snapped back into place.

“Unbelievable. How terrifying to think that anyone could’ve figured that out.”

“Well, they would have to know that your window is defective and be purposely trying it. So, not as likely as you think.” I pointed at the stairs. “Go slow and hang onto the railing.”

“Are you sure the front door is out of the question?”