Page 91 of Pretty Threats

I suck in a gasp, my stomach queasy.

“When there’s a compulsion like that, it’s irresistible.” He coughs and runs a hand through his hair. “And those stupid little meat puppets deserved it. Whiny. Clueless. Weak.”

Outrage roars through me as his words sink in. The fucking monsters.

“I’m glad I killed him,” I whisper. The words are more fact than fiction now.

What I’m really thinking is I’m glad I reached Killian, not my dad or the police, that night. Killian is the only one who would’ve done what really needed to be done. He did it for me, but a lot of other girls are safe because of it. Mr. Zenker would’ve lied. His family would’ve covered for him. And other girls would’ve been raped.

I look up into Joshua’s face and can now see traces of his father in it. “Why would you help him?” My cold and brittle voice matches the rage filling my body. “You’re disgusting. I wish I’d known to kill you, too.”

“Shut up!” he screams. “You have one more chance to tell me the truth before I start pouring chemicals on you. Drain cleaner, lye, acid. I’ve got plenty of things in the trunk to speed up decomposition. There’s nothing to prevent me from pouring them on your face first and forcing you to swallow them. You’ll be in agony as you die.”

That causes me to fall silent. I don’t want to be tortured with chemicals.

“Tell me the truth!” Spittle flies from Josh’s twisted mouth. “Was it Killian?”

“Yes,” a cold male voice says. “It was Killian.”

36

KILLIAN

Zenker whirls, raising his fists. He looks around wildly, unable to spot us at first.

Dressed in black, we emerge from the darkness as shadow men. Advancing quickly, I slam my palms into his chest.

Zenker falls backward but doesn’t hit the ground because War grabs the front of his shirt while he’s mid-fall. After hauling him up, War slams him to the ground with the force of a pile driver.

The impact shoots up from the ground into my feet and calves. A few blows from War will end Zenker.

“Don’t kill him,” I warn, pulling my black ski mask up, so Raine can confirm it’s me. She’s pale and shaking, her eyes as wide as I’ve ever seen them.

War’s boot connects with Zenker’s chest, and along with another thud, I hear the sound of cracking ribs. I step around them, my focus zeroing in on her. As always.

Behind me, Zenker wails and wheezes.

“Shut your fucking mouth,” War growls.

When Raine’s eyes widen farther than seems possible, I follow her gaze.

The wheezing noise continues until War grabs Zenker’s throat and chokes him into silence. When he lets go there are grunting and gasping breaths but no screaming.

Jamie rifles through his pockets. “Handcuff keys,” he says and throws them to me as I drop onto the ground next to Raine’s makeshift wood coffin.

I catch the keys and lean in to unlock her wrists and ankles.

“You’re okay,” I whisper, sliding my arms around her so I can lift her to her feet.

“I’m glad you found me. Thank you.” Her voice is raw.

I squeeze her tighter, wanting to warm her up and reassure her at the same time. Then, I realize she might have injuries I could make worse. “Are you hurt?” With my hands sliding down her sides, I press against her body gently.

Her forehead rubs back and forth against my chest. “No. Just scared.”

My shoulders drop, a sense of relief flowing through me. “You knew I’d come for you, right? That nothing would stop me?”

“Yes,” she says through chattering teeth. “But I didn’t know if you’d get here in time.”

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