My voice thickened. “I’m guilty, O. Those girl’s deaths smear my hands, and I’m done. Tonight is the last time he’ll ask me to kill.”
Olin mumbled something in her sleep, her lips working with mysterious words.
I needed to believe she’d heard me and understood.
In reality, if she had heard, she’d condemn me to the devil and rightfully so.
My fingers feathered over her hip where her painted-lacy underwear ruined the perfection of smooth branches and tiny, silver olive leaves. Inside the seam rested the GPS tracker. I prayed to everything holy that it worked and didn’t fail me.
I was placing all my faith in its accuracy.
I was gambling my daughter’s life as well as O’s that Jeffrey would return to his unfindable location with Olin and keep her alive long enough for me to hunt.
The small piece of technology hadn’t warmed from her body; it didn’t feel like a friend...merely another foe I couldn’t trust.
“I’m a bastard, O, but I’m not giving up. He’s bled me dry of everything. I hate what I’ve become. But he can’t have Olive, and he can’t have you. It’s over. It’s time for him to feel what it’s like to die.”
My hands curled into fists, tasting the black satisfaction of murdering a murderer. I had the perfect weapon to do it. It sat quiet and unassuming in my left pocket, ready to steal his life.
Once he was dead, I’d gather my daughter and soul-mate and walk back into the light.
And if he kills them before you get to him?
My rage once again became brittle with fear.
My plan was flimsy and chaotic, but it was the best I had.
I’d been backed into a corner and was willing to do whatever it took.
Including sacrificing myself if it comes to it.
My eyes continued to trace O’s prettily painted face while I shifted her weight into one arm. Stopping for a moment, I pulled my phone free from my right pocket.
It was time to send plan B.
Bringing up the message I’d typed to Justin moments before O arrived at my warehouse, I fought the urge to be sick all over again.
To see what I’d become in black and white...to re-read my crimes.
Fuck.
This sort of message wasn’t meant to be sent. Justin and I didn’t exactly have the sort of relationship where any of this was acceptable.
We’d just bumped into each other by chance, and instead of him walking away like he should have, he’d barged into my world and refused to take no for an answer. Our ‘friendship’ consisted of him being far too forgiving and me being a fucking asshole.
He reminded me too much of O’s kindness—constantly tormenting me with memories of them together...kissing.
But each time he’d turned up at my warehouse, his presence somehow gave me the energy to keep going. To paint another commission. To pay another bribe. To keep my secrets hidden because, despite my outward unwelcome, he’d become needed.
Needed to keep me human so I wasn’t a total monster when I finally rescued my daughter.
I owed him so fucking much.
And this message...well, it sold me into debt that I would never be able to repay.
Miller,
I have so many things to say, but I don’t know how to say any of them.
I’ll begin with the simplest one.
Thank you.
You’re a better man than I’ll ever be. You’ve had my back. You’ve helped me book commissions. You’ve nodded when I’ve snarled at you. And you never once asked why I was such a twat.
This message should end here. It should be a simple thank you.
Unfortunately...I have a favour to ask.
I’ve named you executor of my estate.
Why?
Because I’m involved in the painted murders.
I’ve helped take lives to save a life.
The life of my daughter.
Olive.
The story of her origin isn’t important, but what is important is, I will do whatever it takes to save her.
And this is the part where you’ll hate me all the more.
I know you cared for O.
I love her with all my fucking heart, but...I need you to help her.
Along with this message is a link to a GPS tracker. The device is hidden on Olin. She is the next victim, and I’m doing everything I can to keep her alive.
But...if I fail.
If I die.
I need you to find her before it’s too late.
Call the police. Tell them everything.
Find her, rescue her, keep her.
And...when you find her, please find my daughter too.
My heart belongs to both of them.
If I’ve failed...please take care of them.
I name you godfather.
Keep my loved ones as your own.
Tell O I’m sorry.
Tell my daughter that I tried.
Chapter Five
______________________________
Olin
-The Present-
“YOU’RE LATE.”
My eyes struggled against the heavy curtains pulling them down. A cloak of sleepiness and weighted imprisonment.
Gil’s arms twitched around me, his deep rumble of a voice threatening and soothing all at once. “It’s a long walk.”
“Long walk or not, you took your time on this one, Gilbert. Dangerous time.” The man’s tone changed, speaking to someone younger and innocent. “Look who decided to join us, sweetheart. Told you he’d turn up.”
I squirmed to focus on whoever he spoke to. A camping light hung in a tree, illuminating the small clearing. My eyes closed again, my muscles ignoring my commands in favour of exhaustion.
But this time, I fought back.
I fought hard.
I moaned and clawed my way to the surface.
This is important.
It was imperative I had wits and wisdom, flight and fight.
I couldn’t quite remember why, but...
Killers.
Painters.
I’m next.
Standing in the gloom of the false moon lashed to the tree, a man stood with a calculating grin on his face. Beside him stood a child. A girl with long sooty hair, her pretty eyes huge as a nocturnal creature better suited for darkness, not light.
“Get your fucking hands off her.” Gil’s entire body stiffened as his gaze landed on the child. His chest heaved against me, his heart thundering painfully. “Hey, Olive Oyl. You okay?” His voice echoed with grief and the gravity of seeing a little girl with an older man’s paw resting on her shoulders in the woods.
My own stomach churned at the picture.
Olive?
Olive!
His dream, his nightmare, the love of his life.
Olive...the consequence of rape.
“Hey, Daddy....” Her face scrunched up with worry. “I missed you.”
“Oh, God. I missed you too, little spinach.” Gil’s legs gave out, forcing him to stumble forward and place me as gently as he could on the ground. His voice cracked. “Wow...you’ve grown so big.”
She smiled cautiously. “Uncle Jeffrey said I could come see you.”
“That’s great.” Gil dared look at the guy holding her captive. His entire body trembled to rush forward and grab her. “You finally brought her? After a goddamn year of keeping her from me?”
“Be grateful I was feeling generous.” The guy chuckled quietly, his hand waving permission to continue conversation.