Page 118 of Stalker

“And your brothers? Do they deserve to die?”

“For their sins? You bet.” I laughed.

“As I said, stop acting like a martyr. If you’re just like your father, then I wouldn’t be here. You’ve done everything in your power to protect me, not condemn me to the same fate inflicted on the women who trusted your father. Why? Why bother?”

“Perhaps because I care about you more than I’ve cared about anyone.”

“Even more than Patty?” She tilted her head, knowing the blow would hit me hard. It did more than I could express. No other person had managed to pull the rug from under me so many times.

Exhaling, I tried not to remember. “That was a long time ago. The subject is off limits.”

“Everything you’ve done your entire life has revolved around continued revenge for what happened to her. You’re not to blame, Wilder. You tried to protect her just like you’re doing with me.”

“Don’t talk about her!” I hated raising my voice. She didn’t deserve it. I rubbed my jaw, counting to five so I could gain control of my breathing. When I spoke again, I was completely in control. “I’m sorry. I was out of line. I don’t like remembering the past.”

“I understand.”

“Yes, I think you do. Patty was everything I could never be. Decent. Kind. Loving. She steered me away from the darkness, but after she was taken from me, nothing else mattered. Nothing.”

“That doesn’t make you a bad man, Wilder. You did what you could to survive. You made people pay for their sins, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be redeemed.”

I burst into laughter. “Redeemed? Do you hear yourself? I killed for you and I’d do it again. I’d murdered several people in cold blood because I deemed their actions unacceptable. What does that make me if not a heinous criminal, Cassandra? Certainly not a hero.”

Her eyes were wild with fury and aggravation, her entire body shaking from her anger with my answers. I wanted to wrap my arms around her, but what good would that do?

“Just stop it! Stop. I can’t take any more of this. You can choose your destiny, Wilder. I don’t need you to protect me. I’ll be just fine. I’m good at what I do. I’m not Patty. I’m never going to be.”

“No, you’re a beautiful, intelligent woman who has no true understanding of evil. You just think you do because you have an excellent track record of capturing the idiots who made a mistake.”

“Maybe I’m starting to learn.”

“Well, guess what? My father doesn’t make mistakes.”

When she held up her index finger, her glare riddled with defiance, I wanted to drag her over my knee for a harsh spanking and fuck her until she screamed out my name. No one had ever pushed my buttons as she continued to do.

“All it takes is a single mistake, Wilder. You father made one and I’m afraid you will as well, only with you, it could be the last one you ever make.”

She backed away, scooting around the end of the couch. She had no idea what kind of monster my father truly was.

“Where do you think you’re going, sweet butterfly?”

“Away from here. I’m leaving and there’s nothing you can do to stop me. I’m sick of playing your stupid games. Masked men. Hunts. It’s not normal. If you want your violence to spiral out of control, have at it. But I won’t bear witness to your demise. I can’t handle it. I won’t.”

“You crave the rush of adrenaline and the desire that you can’t get enough of. You can lie to me, but don’t lie to yourself. That won’t work.”

“Fuck you! You just don’t get it. Do you?” She shook her head several times. “I’m done. If you try and stop me, I will have you arrested.”

“Do not walk out that door, Lady Butterfly. I meant what I said about Daddy dearest. I think you were on the list.”

“Why, because of you? Because he found out we were associated?” She folded her arms, glaring at me with all the hatred she could muster.

“Because of your extracurricular videos.” I hadn’t intended to tell her I knew about them in such an egregious manner. I could tell by the pained look on her face how much I’d hurt her.

She crossed the room, cracking her hand across my face. “How fucking dare you. You broke into my house. You went through my things. You stalked me. You invaded my privacy. You bastard.”

I pressed my hand against my jaw, shifting it back and forth. “Nice shot, sweet butterfly.”

“God, you’re sick, but do you know what’s worse? The fact I’m still attracted to you. More than attracted. I care about you very much. I want to spend time with you. I need to be around you. What the hell does that make me, Wilder? Maybe I am just like you.”

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