Page 17 of Taking Adalisa

I should have known he would hear me when I was talking to myself. He hears everything. I don’t need him thinking I don’t have to go into work on time. It’s an excuse to cut things short.

Matthias grabs my hand and guides me out of my own apartment and onto the street.

“I do know how to get out of my building. I’ve been doing it for several years now,” I tell him, feeling slightly annoyed already. “You don’t have to hold my hand.”

His grip tightens a fraction. “Holding your hand ensures me that you aren’t going to run off. Though I do love a good chase, so maybe I should let your hand go so you can run.”

I glare at him. “I will not be running for you to fulfil some twisted fantasy with me. I’m not into that.”

But the thought of being chased turns on something inside of me. The thrill running through my body as I know he’s going to catch me, but I would still try and get away.

He wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me in close as we stand in front of his sleek black sports car. “Lies,” he whispers in my ear. “I saw the way your body tightened just a bit as you thought about it. You can’t lie to me.”

I push my body away from his, opening my door and sliding into his car. I’m not going to give him the satisfaction of him hearing me say he was right. Nope. No way in hell.

Matthias closes my door and walks around the car, keeping his eyes on me the whole time. My eyes flitter over to the door handle. Would I have enough time to get out and safely run somewhere before he can catch up?

“I wouldn’t try that if I were you,” he says.

“Try what?” I sass back, putting my seatbelt on.

“Getting out of the car. The child lock is on, so you won’t be able to get out.” He looks smug as he starts the car.

I clench my jaw and look away. Of course, he put the child lock on. It’s like he knew what I was going to think. Almost like he could read my mind and intentions. Maybe he’s done this with another girl.

“Wait!” I yell, my hand gripping the door handle. “Stop!”

My breathing comes out in pants as he stops the car and turns toward me. Shit. What if he has done this before? What if he is some type of serial killer who follows his victims for months to learn their habit?

“What’s wrong, Adalisa?” he asks.

I push my body into the door, staring at him in horror. “Are you a serial killer? Have you done this before?”

I don’t expect him to answer me truthfully, but maybe I can read his body language if he is lying to me or not. Maybe he’ll mess up if I ask him too many questions and annoy him. Matthias full-on laughs as he stares at me. I wasn’t expecting that reaction. I was expecting him to brush it off and have some elaborate explanation as to why he’s been following me.

“I’m not a serial killer, and I’ve never done this before,” Matthias finally says, sobering up after several minutes of laughing. “But I have killed people, and animals when I go hunting. But I don’t think you included animals in your question.”

CHAPTER 6

ADALISA

“You… what… I… huh?” I look at him, confused.

He isn’t a serial killer, but he has killed people. But wouldn’t that make him a serial killer then?

“I am not a serial killer. To be categorized as a serial killer, you need to commit several murders and have a pattern of sorts with the victims. I kill people, but I have very good reasons for doing it. I do not kill innocent people,” he explains. “And while I get a thrill from it, I don’t just go out and kill anyone. There are legit reasons for my killings.”

I stare at him, not knowing what to do or say. What am I to say? He’s just confessed to killing people in front of me.

I should go to the police. I should tell someone that I’ve found a murderer, but I have no proof. He hasn’t given me any details.

“So, don’t group me with serial killers. It would be bad for my reputation.” He actually smirks at that statement.

“Reputation?” My eyebrows furrow. “What reputation?”

He leans in, and I wait for him to tell me the secret about him.

“You’ll soon see,” he whispers before pulling back and getting out of the car.

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