Page 37 of Madness & Mayhem
I pull my phone from my pocket as I head through the woods. It isn’t that far away from town, but Lakyn doesn’t know this part of the woods like I do. Head straight north and you’ll end up in Canada. Head south and you’ll be in Hellcrest Heights.
We’re stuck somewhere in the middle, hiding from the world in hopes we won’t get caught.
Unlocking my screen, I see a missed phone call from my father.
With a sigh, I realize it’s time to call him back. He’s the one that sent me out here. And now the world knows I’m the serial killer, I have no idea how he’s going to react.
Pressing his name, it starts ringing, and I head through the woods as I make my way to town. It only rings twice before he answers.
“Reign,” he barks.
I run my fingers through my hair, irritation already rolling through my veins. “Yes.”
“What in the fucking hell have you gotten yourself into?” he roars through the phone.
I pull the phone away, listening as his voice carries through the woods. “What exactly are you talking about?”
He laughs, though there’s no humor. “I don’t know, son. Why don’t we start with why your name and face is plastered all over the local and national news?”
My head tilts toward the sky, and I stare at the naked branches basked in the dark night sky. “Because shit got fucked up at the Halloween party.”
He lets out a sigh. “I don’t know how anything could get fucked up when you were given simple instructions. Get in, take care of her, get out. Why on earth have you been ignoring my calls? It can’t be that difficult to wipe a person out. She seemed to do it with no problems.”
I swallow, though the groan still breaks free. “It’s not as simple as justtaking care of it. But you wouldn’t know, since you pay everyone else to deal with your deeds.”
“Watch your fucking mouth, Reign,” he growls.
My finger goes to my jaw, and I rub at the tense muscles. “I’m not going to kill her.” And that’s the first time I’ve spoken the truth about it. Though my initial intention when I returned home was to take her out and go. But when the feelings came back, they were twice as strong as they’ve ever been.
I’m in love with her.
He pauses a beat, not saying a word.
“What do you mean, you aren’t going to kill her?” he asks, his voice quiet.
My eyes narrow. “I mean, I’m not going to do what you want me to do.”
“Was that ever your intention, Reign, or were you playing me all along?” His voice sounds betrayed, angered.
I grind my teeth together, feeling my molars crack. “It was the plan, but plans change. I’m not doing it anymore.”
He lets out a growl. “Then I’ll have to find someone else to take care of the fucking deed for me!” he barks.
A laugh escapes my chest. “I can assure you, if you or anyone else tries to hurt her, I’ll gut your stomach until you’re nothing but an empty cage.”
A heavy, calculated breath comes through the speaker. “Are you telling me you’ll choose some bitch over your own father?”
The phone cracks in my grip. “Call her a bitch again, Dad. I dare you.”
“She killed your brother!” he barks.
“They all did,” I grit through my teeth. “She wasn’t the sole killer.”
He laughs. “You okay to fuck someone your brother has fucked?”
All I can see is red. Pure rage that filters through my blood and bones. “Let me tell you something, Father,” I start, and I can hear the chair creak from the other end of the line. He’s leaning back, and I can already tell there’s a smirk on his face that I’m itching to carve off.
“You, and anyone you know, isn’t going to even touch Lakyn. If someone does, you’ll regret it more than all of your enemies combined. Leave her the fuck alone.She’s mine,” I growl, baring my teeth.