Page 9 of Devil's Embrace
Her gaze darted to Caparelli's body, understanding my implication immediately.The child—Mina—turned her head slightly, one blue eye peeking out from the unicorn hood, studying me with the pure terror only children can express.
"Don't look, baby."Emory turned the child's face back against her leg.
I remained where I stood, blocking their escape, giving Emory time to realize the inevitability of her situation.I didn't need to rush, didn't need to threaten.Reality itself was threat enough.
"What are you going to do with us?"she asked.
"That depends."I hadn't decided their ultimate fate yet.That would depend on their usefulness, their cooperation, and my uncle's position once he learned what had happened.
Emory straightened her spine, her chin lifting slightly."If you're going to kill us, just do it here."
An interesting request.Not begging for life, but for a quick end.I tilted my head, reassessing her.Most people clung to any chance of survival, no matter how slim."You'd prefer that?"
"I'd prefer you let us go."Her voice sounded steadier now."But if you're going to hurt my daughter, I'd rather it be quick."
The child trembled against her mother's leg, not understanding the conversation but sensing its gravity.Emory's hand never stopped its gentle stroking of the purple hood, even as she stared me down with surprising defiance.
"I don't hurt children."The words emerged before I'd fully considered them.It wasn't entirely true—I'd never personally harmed a child, but I'd certainly created orphans.Still, that was a line I hadn't crossed.Yet.
Something flickered in Emory's eyes—not hope, exactly, but a recalculation."Then let her go.Keep me if you need a hostage, but let Mina go."
I almost laughed at the suggestion."And where would she go?To the police?To tell them her mother was taken by a man in an alley?"I shook my head."No.You're both coming with me.Now."
Chapter Four
Emory
I stared into the killer's cold blue-gray eyes, my mind racing through every possible escape scenario.Each one ended with Mina getting hurt.Or worse.My arms ached from holding her behind me, from the tension of preparing to fight or run, but I couldn't let go.Wouldn't let go.This man—this monster in an expensive coat—might take our lives tonight, but he'd have to go through me first to get to my daughter.
"I have money."The words tumbled out in desperate inspiration."Not much, but I have about five hundred dollars saved.It's yours.All of it."
His expression didn't change.Not a flicker of interest, not a hint of mercy.Just the same calculating stare, as if I were a math problem he needed to solve.
"Please."I hated the tremor in my voice."We won't tell anyone what we saw.I swear on my life."
"Your life isn't worth much right now."His voice remained deep and eerily calm."And five hundred dollars is insulting.I’ve paid more for shoes."
Behind me, Mina whimpered again, her small fingers digging into my leg through my jeans.I could feel her trembling, could sense her confusion and terror.Five years old and she was facing the darkest side of humanity while wearing a purple unicorn costume.
"I'll do anything."Shame and fear made my voice crack."Anything you want.Just let my daughter go."
For the first time, something shifted in his expression—not sympathy, but perhaps recognition of my desperation."Anything is a dangerous offer to make to a man like me."
His gaze flicked to the body on the ground, then back to me.I understood the implication.This man killed without hesitation or remorse.What else would he do without hesitation?
The thought sent a fresh wave of terror through me.But also something else… a flash of rage so intense it momentarily overshadowed my fear.This man had no right to terrorize us, to threaten my child.Halloween night was supposed to be about candy and costumes, not blood and death.
In that moment of anger-fueled courage, I made my move.Pushing Mina further behind me with one hand, I lunged to the side, aiming for the narrow gap between the killer and the wall.If I could just get past him, it might distract him from Mina.
I made it exactly one step before his hand clamped around my upper arm with bruising force.His grip was like iron, effortlessly halting my momentum and yanking me back.Pain shot through my shoulder as he pulled me closer.
"That was stupid."His face was inches from mine, close enough that I could smell his expensive cologne beneath the metallic scent of blood."Don't do it again."
Mina let out a wail, high and terrified, as she saw him grab me."Mama!"
"It's okay, sweet pea."Despite my reassurance, I knew nothing was okay and nothing might ever be okay again."Stay right there.Don't move."
The killer's eyes narrowed as he glanced at Mina, then back to me."Tell her to be quiet."
