Page 173 of Under the Bed

Now he gets to do both.

Kaleb carries his victim toward the hook on the wall.

“Oh God.” Eddy’s fingers are on my wrist, helplessly trying to push me off him. He thrashes his body to no avail. I lean my weight on him. It’s not a lot, but I manage to overpower him. I do have my crazy on my side. “Sweet Jesus.”

While Eddy is held firmly in place, my eyes dart to the third threat. The man that isn’t restrained by either me or Kaleb.

He’s staying very still, seeming as entranced and as captivated as he was before.

If he’s planning to write a book about us himself, he better think again.

Leech. Fucking leeches, every last one of them.

Later,I repeat to myself, quickly returning my attention to Kaleb and the woman.

The veins in her eyes have exploded, red drowning out the white. Her nostrils flare, sucking in air. As much as Kaleb allows, anyway.

God, he’s gorgeous. The corded veins in his hand. His devotion to killing the woman who said awful things about me.

When I was young, I was conflicted about this side of him. His revenge on the boys who molested me was gory. Bloody. He left their hearts scattered on the bathroom floor, Dad said. Their rib cages had been cracked open.

I understood why Kaleb did it. It terrified me nonetheless.

Eleven years later, the fear is gone. Wiped away.

Love bursts from my body. Adoration.

Gratefulness.

“Crew.” Her strangled plea is followed by a hand gesture. She outstretches it toward the man who does nothing to help her. The blond observer. “Crew.”

Nothing. He wouldn’t have been able to help her if he tried.

Which he doesn’t.

One second, she’s alive. Breathing, sort of. Awake for this nightmare.

Boom.

Kaleb doesn’t just push her up against the wall. He hangs her onto the hook.

It’s sinfully hot. His viciousness. His creativity.

“Hakkk.” Blood spurts out of her mouth, painting her lips and chin red. “Hakkk.”

Kaleb releases her throat, leaving her there. His hand lifts to the side of her head. Resting it on her temple.

“Hakkk.” But it’s weaker now. It’s the last sound she makes before Kaleb shoves her head violently to the side and breaks her neck.

The cracking sound has every part of my body throbbing for him.

Another sound comes just then. Eddy’s growling loudly, pushing against me.

I’m so fucking done with him.

Kaleb moves toward Crew, his head turned toward me. I shake my head once.Don’t need help.

I really don’t. Making a V shape with the fingers of my free hand, I twist back to Eddy.

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