“A few hours.”
“I’m not sure if that’s really sweet or fucking creepy.”
“If you only knew the dirty thoughts I was thinking.”
“Only you could make that sound sexy.” I studied her face as her smile faded. “What?”
“You’re going to have to tell me what it is you need help with sooner or later.”
She sat up, clutching the sheet over her bare chest.
“It’s too early for this, Ryder.”
I reached out, gripping the ends of her hair that cascaded down her bare back and twisting the ends around my finger before letting it fall free. “Ella, there is nothing you can say that will change anything. I promised to help you. I keep my promises.”
“Those newspaper articles.” She glanced over her shoulder at me, and I nodded. “The ones about the Dream Killer? I think I know who he is.”
I pushed myself up to sit next to her. “Who?”
“My father.” Her eyes searched mine, desperate for me to believe her.
“What?”
“I know this sounds crazy, but it makes sense. If you read the articles, all the bodies found have a dream catcher somewhere near them. Before I went to live with my grandma, I always had to have a dream catcher above my bed. I called it my magic shield because it protected me from my nightmares about someone hiding in my closet.”
“Ella.” I ran my hand over my jaw as I shook my head.
“You don’t believe me. I fucking knew you wouldn’t believe me.”
“It’s not that. It’s just…dream catchers are a common item. It’s normal for kids to have them in their room.”
“Was it normal to hear noises coming from my parent’s closet, and being brave enough to open the door to find a man bound and gagged inside?”
* *
“Momma,” I screamed, unable to move as I stared into the desperate eyes of a man, tied to a chair that lay on its side. He was struggling to free his hands. Even gagged, I could tell he wanted my help.
“Get back to bed, Mikaella,” my father’s voice boomed from behind me as the closet door was pushed closed and he sank down to my eye level. “You know there are monsters in the closet who hurt little girls who don’t go to sleep. It’s past your bedtime.” He ran his large hand over my hair with a smile.
“Momma said monsters aren’t real.”
He clenched his jaw, his tone turning harsh. “Your momma’s a fucking liar. Get to bed. Daddy’s gonna take care of this one so he can’t hurt you.” He stood, towering over me with his large six-foot frame. I nodded and ran off to bed, unable to calm my erratic breathing. I sat on my bed, covers pulled up to my neck as I stared at my closet door, terrified that someone was inside.
* *
“What the fuck, Ella?”
“Doesn’t sound so crazy now, does it?”
“Actually, now it sounds really fucking crazy, but I understand why you think it’s your father. What is it you want me to do?”
“I need to know if he killed my mother.”
“You want me to confront a man who ties up people and shoves them in closets?”
“I want you to kill him.”
Special
Chapter 23—Ella
Special: better, greater, or otherwise different from what is usual
“You want me to kill your father?” When Ryder repeated my words back to me, I knew I was losing my mind. I had just asked him to commit murder, and to be honest, I meant it.
“I know you don’t know me, and I know I’m asking a lot.” I shook my head, a nervous laugh escaping me. “I’ve fucking lost it.”
“Stop.” He tucked my hair behind my ear, his fingertips trailing down my cheek. “I feel like we know each other better than anyone. I know this isn’t something you’d say to anyone else.”
“I’ll tell you what I know about Bryce. You can walk away. You don’t have to do this just to get information.”
“Jesus Christ, Ella! I’m not helping you for Bryce. I’m doing it for you. Nothing’s changed.” His fingers gripped my chin, forcing me not to look away. “Nothing.”
I lurched forward, my lips pressing against his painfully hard. His hands slid down my back, gripping my bare ass as he guided me onto his lap. The sheet pulled free from my body as he lowered me onto his cock. My nails dug into the back of his neck as I sank down his length. I was desperate to be closer to him.
I rocked my hips, riding him as his lips found my neck, sucking and licking. His hands were all over my body, relishing every curve.
“I love watching you fuck me,” he groaned as he pulled my nipple between his teeth.