Page 148 of Under the Bed

That gives the snooping prick pause. “No, he isn’t.”

“Get out. Send me a selfie of you in front of Berkshire’s gates, holding today’s paper in the next ten hours, or I’m sending a hitman to kill you.” I rattle off my number, which he punches into his phone with trembling fingers.

Silence ensues.

His hand is on the handle of my front door. He isn’t asscared as I need him to be. Isn’t running away fast enough.

What would Kaleb do?

Oh, yes.That.

With the knife still held up in front of me, I cock my head to the side.

“I’ll text you, I promise.”Jackpot. He yanks the door open, his feet scuffing on the floor as he steps out into the hall. Reaches to the inside of his jacket. “Here’s my card, in case you ever change your mind.”

I give him an impatient look, reminding him he could text me his number. I don’t want anything of his inside my home.

“Yes. Yes. You’ll have my number.” His lips quirk in a tentative smile. “Maybe one more question?”

“Out,” I say in a hushed voice that does wonders to get him out of my life.

Dr. Reynolds shuts the door in my face. I hear him running across the hall.

Good fucking riddance.

I wish I could say that the worst part of the day is behind me.

It isn’t.

My landline rings. Dad’s assistant is on the line, connecting the call to his lawyers so they can tell me the exact time I need to be at the police station.

Yes, I’ll be there in an hour. Fine, we’ll be in and out of there before I know it.

Dad’s orders, they say.

I won’t be made into a spectacle, they promise.

I tell themyes, sure, andI’ll see you there.

I’ll give my statement. I’ll go to my classes.

For Kaleb.

I’ll let him have it. Let him play cat and mouse with me.

After Halloween, we’ll be gone.

Until then, we’ll lie, cheat, and steal to get by.

Probably kill, too.

And I’ll make damn sure we’ll never get caught.

Ever.

24

KALEB

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