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Licking a drop of applesauce from her lips, she felt a cold shiver race down her spine. Her gut had been right all along. She knew he was a psychopathic serial killer.

“Are there others?” she continued, not sure if she wanted the answer.

Meeting her steady gaze, he let out a heavy sigh. Yes, he had killed others, but not for pleasure. She didn’t need to know that, though. Not yet at least. They would go over that another time, probably right before his Boss requested a meeting.

“No, just the six.”

Soaking in his words, Lexi sat silently as her mind reeled. Those poor women. They didn’t deserve what happened to them. It made her feel insanely guilty. How could she possibly have feelings for the animal that had stolen their lives? She should be the one that was dead, not them.

“Why me?” she asked, staring directly into his stormy eyes. “Why the hell are you letting me live?”

Chewing on the smooth tissue of his inner cheek, he weighed his love’s loaded question. There were a multitude of reasons why she captivated his attention, but only one that truly stood out. Leaning in close, he gave her a wild grin and offered the only explanation that mattered.

“Because my love, you’re a monster, too.You’re just like me.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

Pulling away from her captor, Lexi shook her head in defiance. Scoffing at his statement, she scrunched her face in disgust. She was a monster? Just like him? No. Absolutely not. He had it all wrong.

Are you sure about that?her critical voice taunted.

Straightening her posture, she wrapped the blanket tighter against her shivering body and narrowed her angry eyes. Whatever he thought he knew about her was a complete lie. They didn’t share this evil bond. She wasnothinglike him.

“I’mnota monster,” she stated, her voice heavy with disdain.

Sensing that his love was building an emotional barrier, Kade softened his features. Reaching out to brush an unruly lock from her face, he hummed softly. It was hard to watch her deny her true self so vehemently. Didn’t she realize he was there to set her free?

“There’s nothing to be ashamed of, Sweetheart. You are what you are, please just accept yourself. There’s no difference between you and someone that kills lions for the thrill. You just happen to hunt different game,” he offered.

“I don’t enjoy killing!” she spat in defense.

Liar, liar, pants on fire.

Pausing a moment to give her time to reflect, he took a bite of his protein bar. Watching a sea of conflicting emotions was over her face, his heart squeezed. It would be difficult for her to come to terms with her true nature, but it was good that they were finally having this conversation. She was incredibly lucky to have him help her through this process.

“Well, perhaps not the first time. Everyone knew that it was self-defense, Lexi. Scott...that disgusting motherfucker...he was going to rape and murder you, you had no choice. That first kill was all survival, there’s no denying that. But what about the second time? Or the third? Fourth...fifth? Those kills weren’t in self-defense. You tracked them...you hunted them...and once they took your bait, you slaughtered them because youwantedto,” he said before moving his fingers under her chin and forcing her to meet his simmering gaze. “Shhh, it’s ok, my love...I understand.I know what it’s like when you taste blood for the first time. It’s a craving that never goes away.”

Licking her lips nervously, she tried to deny his heavy words. She didn’t get any sick thrill out of killing, and she certainly never craved it. Every single life she had ever taken was out of necessity. They were horrible men thatdeservedto die. She was doing the world a favor by eliminating them. That was her only motivation.

“Now, I know what you’re thinking,” he continued, scooting himself closer. “Right now, you’re trying to justify your actions, trying to ignore that part of yourself that came alive once you sliced your knife into their flesh. I know you’re excusing what you’ve done because the men you killed were abusers and rapists. They were scourges that were going to victimize morewomen if you didn’t step in, right? I know that narrative helps you sleep at night...but I also know that there’s more to it, my love, I’ve seen your face during and after a kill.I know you enjoyed every single moment.”

Gasping lightly, she blinked her red rimmed eyes. She was dumbfounded and knocked off guard over his confession. It had been years since she had given into her temptation and carved another notch into her bedpost. Everything changed the moment she met Leo Estrada. He showed her that there weregoodmen still left in the world. He taught her how to love and how to trust. Through him, her bloodlust had been contained. Even in the very small chance that what he was saying was true, none of it mattered now. She was a changed woman, that part of her no longer existed.

Then why are you looking forward to slitting Kade’s throat, then? Huh? Miss “I’m a changed woman?” Admit it. You loved killing those pricks. Remember the fun we had? You can pretend that you haven’t missed the rush, that you haven’t wondered what it would feel like to give into temptation just one more time. A leopard doesn’t change their spots, ya know. Why are you being so hardheaded? Kade is our match. He understands us. Look at him! He’s everything we have always wanted. You know that Leo can’t give us what we want. Kade can.

Silently growling at herself, Lexi closed her eyes and silenced the crazed voice in her head.No.Kade wasn’t her savior. He was a psychopath that she needed to kill. She couldn’t let herself be manipulated. Not by Kade and certainly not by the bitch in her head. As soon as he was dead, she would be back in Leo’s arms,right where she belonged. Living her happy, normal existence once again. Finding pleasure in life, rather than death.

Uh huh. Right. You know that’s not what you want,the voice in her head teased.Give in and let me out to play again. Please? It’s been so long!

SHUT UP, SHUT UP, SHUT UP!!she screamed internally, fighting the urge to beat her fist against her skull.

Noticing an abrupt change in his love’s body language, Kade moved to cup his open palm against the side of her face. Leaning in closer, he caught her darting gaze. He knew exactly what was going on in that pretty little head of hers. She didn’t have to hide it from him.

“Hey,” his deep voice said. “You should listen toher.”

Taken aback by her abductor’s odd comment, Lexi tried to wiggle away from his warm touch. She must not have heard him correctly. No one knew about the voice screaming inside her mind.

“What are you talking about?” she asked, giving him a quizzical look. “Listen to who?”

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