Hot tears of frustration stung her eyes. Typically, anyone who entered the mind of a nightmare would find themselves facing their very own nightmare … unless they themselves were of the same breed. Clyde was clearly the same kind of demon as Piper. Worse, he was a fucking nutjob who’d murdered countless women, and she was currently defenseless against him.
Her heart bashed against her ribcage. Her face heated. Her palms grew hot. She tried again to shove off that psychic weight holding her in a corner, straining so hard her temples began to ache.
Nothing. It didn’t work.
As much as she wished Levi would return, she also feared that he would. Clyde could be here to kill him. Or maybe to kill her. Or maybe both. She had no clue, and she had no way to do anything about the situation.
As they sat on the sofa, Clyde gave her an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I know Janelle introduced us but it’s easy for names to slip out of our minds. I’m Clyde. Clyde Quincy.”
Like Piper gave a shit. But she felt an amiable smile shape her lips, heard the words, “I’m Piper Winslow” flow from her mouth.
“Yes, I remember,” he said … as if she’d spoken of her own accord. He really seemed to have convinced himself that this was a two-way conversation.
Jesus, this fucker was a total fruit loop.
She’d already known that, of course, after seeing Missy’s experience for herself. But this here and now was different—so much more intense and frightening. Because there was always a small degree of separation for Piper when she walked through another person’s memories. Now there was none.
“Pretty name,” he told her, wearing a friendly yet creepy smile that sent chills fluttering down her spine.
“Thank you,” she said, her tone ever so pleasant. God, she wanted to scream.
He inclined his head and then glanced around the room. “Nice place. Very Levi. I don’t know him well, but I feel as if I do. You may or may not know that he and I are already acquainted. He was only an infant back then, but we connected. Babies do that. They bond with their carers.”
Anger lashed her insides. He considered himself a carer of the children he used as props when playing happy families? Seriously?
“The person Levi’s become … He’s a good man, by all accounts. But you’ll know that better than most, won’t you? It’s good to see him settled and happy. I’m proud of him.”
He had no right to feel any pride in Levi. They were nothing to each other, no matter what this weirdo wanted to believe.
“I’ve always liked children,” Clyde went on. “Not in a perverse way. I’m not a monster.”
She would have gaped if she could have. He’d taken God knew how many lives over the years. He might not have harmed any children but he’d made them motherless. And he might not have physically tortured the women he killed, but this—taking their free will, forcing them to do his bidding, rendering them into a state of pure terror and helplessness—was a whole other form of torture.
Those women wouldn’t have only feared for their own lives, they’d have feared for the lives of the children under their care. And he hadn’t given a single flying, measly fuck. Similarly, he didn’t give two shits how Piper felt right now. So, yeah, he was a monster all right.
“I simply prefer their company to that of adults,” he added. “Children are uncomplicated. They don’t have agendas. They don’t play games. They’re accepting and eager to approve of the people they meet. I like to be around them, which is why—no matter where I’ve lived over the years—I’ve often visited local parks.”
She inwardly snorted. He didn’t go to parks to observe children. No, those places were his hunting grounds. He went there looking for single mothers. Piper would have said as much if she could have spoken.
Just then, Levi’s mind touched hers. I’ll be a little longer than I first thought, he told her, all business. Call me if you need me.
She pushed against the mental weight trapping her, desperate to reach him, but nothing happened. And she heard herself telepathically reply, No worries, see you soon.
Her heart sank and her ribs tightened to the point that it hurt to breathe.
“It seems we’ll have more time to talk than I initially expected,” said Clyde. “Excellent. You know, Levi was such a cute kid. Not that his aunt appreciated him whatsoever. Moira was a horrid woman. Very bitter. She wasn’t gentle with him at all. Didn’t play with him or kiss him or cuddle him. She often left him in his crib to cry. Or she’d leave him home alone.”
For Clyde to know all of that, he must have observed them for days.
“I didn’t initially realize she wasn’t his mother. Not until I first came to her home and entered her mind. That was a mistake on my part. I considered instantly backing off, but being inside her head and seeing what a mess it was … I thought I could change that she resented having to take care of him. I thought I could help rid her of all that bitterness. Parenting and juggling responsibilities can be hard, especially if you have no one to help. I wanted to give her that assistance and support. I thought maybe we could all be a family.” His brow pinched. “That didn’t work out as I’d hoped.”