Page 60 of The Taskmaster
“They hurt my friend, and I wanted to make them pay.”
“They? So, there were more?”
Why did he have this annoying knack of reading into everything I said, decoding it, psychoanalysing me, and getting it so fucking right?
“Why were you following me tonight?” I asked, popping my hip and turning the tables.
“Aren’t you glad I did?”
“No.”
Great, now we were in some weird staring competition as he watched me from his position across the room, and he was clearly getting off on this, judging from the sparkle in his eyes. Ugh. Why was I noticing sparkles and the cute way his lip curled as he tried to suppress a smile?
“I don’t think there’s anything left for us to discuss. I thinks it’s better if you leave,” I announced, but he didn’t move. He stayed sitting comfortably, making himself at home on my sofa. He clearly wasn’t leaving anytime soon.
“I understand why you don’t want to tell me what really happened, or why you went after that woman tonight. You have your secrets and that’s fine. I can wait. But when you’re ready to come clean, I’ll listen.”
“I have nothing to come clean about.”
He raised his brows. “Really? Are you sure about that? Because your dad?—”
“My dad has nothing to do with this. And neither do you.”
He rubbed his hand over his jaw, and then he said, “I think I do. I think I have a lot to do with it.”
“Just leave,” I told him, but my words fell on deaf ears.
“Back at the house, you asked me who I was. And I think we should play a little game.”
“What are you talking about?” I frowned, having no idea where this was going.
“I want to play a game.” He stood up and turned to face me. I don’t know why, but I backed up, pressing my back against the wall. “You wanted to know who I really was, and on my body, I have a tattoo that’ll tell you exactly who I am.” He lowered his gaze, staring at me like a devil with an evil smile. “I dare you to try and find it.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
ISAIAH
Ifucking loved playing games. Games to torture, to maim, to kill. But I think playing games with Abigail was going to be my favourite kind. Games to thrill. To entice. To push her out of her comfort zone, because clearly, she was still clinging to the fact that she wasn’t who she really was. She was hiding behind a mask, a fake mask that she wore for the world, and I couldn’t wait to strip her bare.
I knew the story she told me was only a modicum of the truth. Yes, her friend probably had been hurt. But that wasn’t why Abigail had gone out tonight to do what she did. I’d seen the message in her diary –Promissum Meum Servabo– I will keep my promise. She was out for retribution, but I knew all too well that people didn’t seek it unless something had directly impacted them, or someone had hurt them, too. I’d been around enough killers in my time to recognise it.
“You want me to find a tattoo... on your body?” she said with shocked exasperation, an incredulous look on her face as she stared at me in disbelief. I knew she’d say no at first. I also knew I’d keep going. I could be very persuasive.
“A special tattoo.” I took a step closer to her. “One that will give away all my secrets.”
“You’re insane.”
“You already said that tonight, and again, thank you. I’ll take it as a compliment.”
I took another step forward, smiling as her breath hitched and she curled her hands into fists for a second before relaxing them. I made her nervous. I liked making her nervous.
“I’m not going to look for a tattoo.”
“Really?” I cocked my head and grinned. “Aren’t you a little intrigued? I have some spectacular art, and you’re missing out.”
“I’ll live.” Her words said one thing, but her body and her eyes told me a completely different story.
“If you find it, then I’ll leave.” I took the last step to stand toe-to-toe with her, and I leaned forward to press my forehead against hers. “Now, isn’t that an offer too good to refuse?”
