Page 116 of Keeping Kasey
“I’m talking about the software to recover that list you deleted,” I tell her.
“Why would you think I have something like that?”
“None of your concern. Now, is it true?”
She stares at me with blank eyes, visibly weighing her options.
She doesn’t have many.
She can either give me this software before accepting death or admit she’s useless to me and die now.
I’m generous enough to let her choose how this goes.
After nearly a minute of deliberation, she gives a single nod.
“Smart girl,” I praise. “Show it to me.”
“It’s not ready.”
“How convenient.” I almost laugh. “Show it to me,now.”
“Why should I?” she asks, head held high. “You’re going to kill me either way. After what you’ve put me through, did you really think I’d justgiveit to you?”
Now I do laugh. It’s a delighted sound, and I watch as it chips at Kasey’s bravado.
“I’m not sure what’s more amusing,” I say. “The fact that you thinkyouwere wronged, or that you think killing you is my only option.”
In one smooth motion, I open my pocketknife and slowly approach her. The color drains from her face as she retreats until her back hits the wall.
I don’t stop until we’re chest-to-chest, and her scent suffocates me—that damn floral perfume that used to cling to the pillow beside mine. I force the reminder of mornings wrapped up in that scent to the back of my mind to rot, along with every other memory that tries to convince me the woman before me doesn’t deserve to die for what she did.
I gently caress her face with the blade. “I’ll make you wish you were dead long before I put a bullet in this pretty head.”
I drag the knife over her skin and stop when the point rests under her chin. Then, I slowly push it up, forcing her head back.
She loves to lift her chin in defiance.
I love the fear swimming in her eyes.
“It’s not ready,” she repeats in a whisper.
“How long until it is?”
She swallows, wincing as the knife digs in deeper.
“I don’t know,” she says. “A week, maybe longer.”
I nod, nonchalantly dragging the blade up Kasey’s cheek. I don’t apply enough pressure to break the skin, but it’s close.
She’s frozen in place, barely breathing.
There was a time I fed off her body, her smile, her laugh.
Now, I’ll feast on her fear.
“You’re in luck,” I say with a tight grin. “I’ve got a lovely little cell with your name on it. I trust it’ll be an adequate accommodation until you give me what I need.”
Kasey shivers, and I press my body into hers, needing to feel the effect I have on her.
