“They’re sure it’s him? Not a copycat?”
“Some of the things not released to the public have been verified. This time he even left his DNA behind just to let them know for sure it was him, and now he’s laying claim to his work.”
“And now he’s targeting Logan. We have to find him before he can.”
“That’s the part I’m getting to. He’ll go after your agent, but he’ll use a proxy to do it. He’ll want to taunt and torment Logan. A few more bodies will drop with that calling card before he makes his big move. What would a sexual sadist go after to really hurt a man?”
It takes me a second to catch up to his train of thought, but when I do, a dark smile plays with my lips.
“His girlfriend.”
“Exactly. You sure you can handle a guy like this? He’s not like the guys you’ve been going after, Lana. This guy is the real deal with zero mercy. If he—”
“The guys I kill weren’t angels—aren’t angels, Jake. You know that. They’d kill me if they knew I was still alive, or if they got half a chance when I’m there for them. And yeah. I can handle the Boogeyman. Even a monster has nightmares. I’ll be his.”
He exhales heavily, weighing the gravity of the situation.
“His MO is breaking into a home. He immediately attacks the woman, using brute force to establish dominance. He’ll hit them, then he chokes them until they’re on the verge of passing out.”
“I’m aware,” I tell him.
“He blindsides them, Lana. Your guard will need to be up at all times.”
“I want him to get a couple of hits in,” I say as I pour some fruits into my juicer. “Gotta make it believable.”
“This is too fucking risky. I think I should probably set up surveillance on your house.”
“No. Don’t you dare. If anyone ever tapped into that—”
“Right. Fuck! Then let me come stay with you?”
“And how would I explain you if Logan shows up unexpectedly again? You know what’s eventually coming, right? There’s a reason you’ve been riding in a wheelchair for three years—riding it in and out of your home and in your town.”
He groans, and I turn on the juicer, peering out my window again. As if Logan hears me talking about him, a text comes through as Jake speaks.
“Right. Then I’ll come up with something else.”
LOGAN: Boogeyman problem. I’ll call later.
ME: Okay. Please be careful.
LOGAN: Always, pretty girl.
“Are you texting while I’m on the phone?” Jake asks, annoyed.
“Maybe a little.”
I look out the window again, and this time I catch sight of a car and a flicker of red before I lose sight of whoever is here.
“Gotta go,” I whisper to Jake, hanging up before he can say anything.
I cut my phone off and toss it to the counter before pulling out one of my guns, clicking the safety off as I slowly make my way to the door.
Someone knocks, and I blow out a breath. I doubt the Boogeyman would politely knock before barging in to slit my throat.
I check the peephole, confused when I see a pretty redhead on my steps. Tossing on a pair of jeans that I grab from the back of my couch, I check the mirror. Then I tuck the gun into the back of my jeans and open the door, leaning against it to impede any thoughts of her coming in.
“If you’re here to witness, then you have your work cut out for you. If you’re here to sell me something, go ahead and leave. I shop online. If you’re here to—”