A chill runs up my spine when he smiles. I don’t even recognize him with that crazed look in his eyes.
“You know…” He takes a step closer before pacing in front of me. “My brother loved you so damn much. So. Damn. Much. A month before he was murdered, he told me he was planning to propose. When I helped my parents clean out his house, I found the engagement ring. He talked about how you saved him. Little did he know, you’d be the reason for his death.”
“You’re lying,” I say between gritted teeth. I don’t believe a fucking word he says about Weston, especially that.
He’s in his element with a large ass knife tightly gripped in his hand and a gun behind him. “I have no reason to lie. Weston spoke so highly of you. He loved you. And you pretended to love him back just so you could use him for his house.”
My emotions begin to spill over. “That’s not true.”
“He told me how he felt sorry for you because of your roommate situation and mentioned how you sucked dick like a champ. So he let you move in, though it seems you had an ulterior motive.” He narrows his eyes before rushing over and kicking me in my stomach with all his strength. My body and my arms feel as if they may break off as I slam against the hard floor. Even though my throat is dry, I let out a terrifying scream. Dalton stands over me with his arms crossed over his chest, laughing. Seeing me in pain is funny to him. Fucking sicko.
“I’m going to get more satisfaction ending you than I did Dacia.”
His words course through me like venom. “What?” I croak out, hardly able to look at him.
“I wonder if you’ll scream the same way she did, or if it’ll take just as long before you stop breathing.” He speaks as though he’s talking about the weather.
“No,” I whisper, forcing my eyes closed, wanting to disappear as he bends down closer to my face.
“She was getting in my way of getting to you and asking too many questions. I didn’t need her warning you about me, so I did what I had to do.” He gives me a wide grin. “Glad you reminded me. I need to get her body out of my trunk.” He purses his lips, then continues. “In fact, I can burn all your bodies together. Hers. Yours. And Mason’s. Hope none of his little friends get in my way, though, or I’ll have more bodies than can fit in my trunk. Hmm…maybe I’ll just leave you all in here while I torch the whole fucking house.” I’m not sure if he realizes he’s thinking aloud, but it’s terrifying.
“You’re a monster,” I spit out, but he smirks. At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if he has weapons hidden all over this place, considering the way he talks about taking out anyone who tries to stop him.
My gut twists as I think about my friends. I hope he’s just trying to scare me, but I have a feeling he’s telling the truth about Dacia. I haven’t heard from her in weeks.
This can’t be happening.
“Thank you.” He’s amused. “Want to know how I killed her? It’s really a lovely story.”
I keep my mouth shut as he stands over me. Swiftly, he brings his foot back and kicks my stomach with his boot, knocking the breath out of me. Pain shoots through my body as he kicks me again, and I’m scared he’ll break one of my ribs. After he’s worn himself out, and the pain becomes my new normal, he stands over me with the cell phone and takes pictures. My dress is bunched up to my waist, and I’m regretting wearing it since I’m exposed, and he has access to any part of me he wants.
“Wonder what your boyfriend is going to think about these? Want to smile for the camera?” He continues to take more as I lay in agony.
Dalton forcefully grabs me and yanks the chair upright. I keep my head slumped, hoping this is over soon, but beating me to a pulp won’t be enough for him. Dalton grabs a fistful of my hair and jerks my head back. I suck in a breath, but it hurts like hell.
“Dacia was smarter than you. I don’t think she ever trusted me and purposely forced herself between us, but unfortunately for her, she couldn’t stay out of my goddamn way. So when you invited us to dinner, she told me I needed to explain to you who I was because she’d figured out that my name wasn’t Caleb.” He shakes his head. “She threatened to tell you if I didn’t. That was the bitch’s first mistake. Don’t ever threaten me,” he spits out. “It never ends well.” He flashes a satisfied grin. “For the other person, that is.”