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“Yes. Yes, it is.”
I take a step backward. “I guess I’ll go then.”
He takes a step forward. “Sure.” His grin is forced and tight.
I continue to move toward the door without turning my back on him. I’m not stupid. I reach for the knob and turn. His eyes burn with unfurled frustration and his jaw remains tense as he watches me. He’s pissed I ruined his plans, and I don’t think it’s just that I was a cock block. He had a devious agenda, and I’ve thwarted it, ruining what was probably weeks of planning. Do I feel bad? Not really. But I understand.
“See you around.”
His smile turns wicked. “I’m sure you will.”
* * *
Soledad Square isone of the smallest towns in Vermont. It’s almost hard to avoid people. You’d think someone like me would go to a bigger and busier place—somewhere like New York City or LA, but I also hate people. I’d kill more of them if they were constantly running into me, so self-involved they’ve lost all sense of politeness.
They say kindness goes a long way, and it’s true. Plenty of people have probably had their lives spared simply for being kind to a person who would later snap and massacre everyone who did them wrong. I can say with confidence that everyone who ever crossed me got what was coming to them, and I don’t regret it. Well, maybe that’s not true. Most deserved it. Some were victims of circumstance, but it’s not like I target preschool teachers or anything. However, I’ve been trying to rehabilitate myself. Something I was sure wasn’t possible, but it’s been nearly two years and nobody’s died by my hand in that time.
However, the cage holding my monster captive is rattling.
Since this place is so small, though, I seehimquite often, and since our altercation at the hotel, he lets it be known he’s aware I’m there, too. I’m not even trying to track him. We just end up in the same spots sometimes. I haven’t noticed him talking to any new women, but I think it’s because he’s afraid I’m onto him.
A week after our encounter in the hotel, I’m back in The Perfect Blend, having a coffee and watching the news on the TV they have hoisted up in a corner. Even though it’s been a long time since I’ve killed anyone, I still wait for the day I’m found out. I wonder if my picture will ever pop up on the screen with the wordwantedunderneath. My last kill was a little more high-profile than I wanted. It’s why I’ve tried controlling myself.
My waitress, Janeen, appears next to me with a friendly smile. “Do you need anything else?”
I shake my head. “No. I’m good. Thank you.”
She nods and heads back behind the counter, waving at someone who walks through the door. My eyes move to the recipient of her wave, and surprise blankets my face. It’s the woman who walked to the hotel with the stalker. She’s alive.
I scratch at my jaw before turning my attention to my phone. A few minutes into reading a news article, someone slides into the seat across from me. I lift my head and come face-to-face with him. I know he goes by Kas because I asked about him already.
He smiles, scooting to the end where he can lean his back against the wall and have a view of the room. “She’s back,” he says with a quick gesture.
“Yeah. I see that.”
“You looked a little surprised to see her walk in.”
“Did I?” I muse, dropping my eyes to my phone.
He was watching me and I didn’t even know he was here.
“Why would you be surprised?” he asks, voice jovial, though I know it’s an act.
“I wasn’t.”
He laughs. “Okay.”
He’s quiet for a while, and I finally start getting annoyed. “Do you need something from me?” I ask, putting my phone down a little too hard when I look at him.
His eyes roam my face, a small smile on his lips as his gaze lowers before meeting my eyes again. “I don’t know. Maybe.”
When he doesn’t elaborate, I huff. “Are you gonna say anything else?”
“Why are you so tense, man?” He laughs. “I just wanted to know if you wanted to hang out sometime? Maybe go to a bar and get a drink.”
My brows furrow. “Why would I want to do that?”
“Why not?” he counters, not offended in the least. “Every time I see you, you aren’t with anyone. You don’t seem to have friends.”
