“When you disclose that BK sent you the letters, you’ll be at the center of this thing,” Rex says quietly.
“I’m already at the center of this thing.”I blow out a breath and say what needs to be said, even though it makes me want to weep.“I’m the reason he came back.He wants to finish what he started.It’s my fault.”
“Inara, no.”His shadow falls over me.“It’s not your fault.”
If only Rex knew.For the past two nights, visions of the victims have haunted my sleep.If only I had heeded the visions earlier and figured out how to act, the family on Green Street and poor Emily Rodriguez would still be alive.
“You can’t blame yourself,” he says, but he’s wrong.I can, and I do.
Stopping the Bondage Killer is the only way to atone for my failure.
“Little bird,” Rex calls softly.He’s right in front of me, but with all the thoughts crowding my head, he sounds far away.“Look at me.”
A few hours ago, I would have let that deep voice soothe me.But now, comfort is a luxury I can’t afford.I need to leave all intimacy behind.It’s the price I pay in service of justice.
I shake my head.“I’m wasting time.I need to focus.”My involvement in the case and my psychic instincts might be the only way to catch the Bondage Killer.“I need to get to work.”
“I’ll set up a meeting with the NRPD.They can interview you here.”
“What?Why?”I glance up and take in his impassive expression.“I need to go in.”
“You can’t be thinking of going into the city.There’s a killer looking for you.”
“All the more reason for me to go in.I might be the only one who can stop him.”I turn to find my way out of this cave, and suddenly, Rex is looming over me, standing in my way.
“If you think I’m going to let you leave here to hunt down the Bondage Killer alone, you’re delusional.”His voice is as hard as I’ve ever heard it.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me.”His gaze is so cold and hard it’s like looking down the barrel of a gun.He’s never looked at me like this, glaring at me like I’m the enemy.
I’m the one willing to cross him, so I guess I am his enemy.“Rex, you can’t keep me here.”
“Can’t I?”
“You wouldn’t.”
He leans in.“Watch me.”
4
Inara
My breath comes faster,staring him down.He’s a formidable opponent and there’s no way I can overcome him physically.And I haven’t had much luck fighting him any other way.
I have to get him to see reason.“Let’s just slow down.”I raise a hand.“We want the same thing—to stop the murders.”
“I’m not willing to sacrifice your safety for that.”
I open my mouth to tell him I’ll be perfectly safe, but I can’t make that promise.Ever since he came for me, I’ve dreamed of dying.Ever since arriving in New Rome, I felt that my time would come soon.
If it’s at the hands of the Bondage Killer, so be it.I’ll just have to make sure I take him with me.
Knowing the end is close tears me up like knives in my insides.But my visions always come true, so I might as well resign myself to it.No one can save me from my fate.
Not even a man as wealthy and powerful as Rex.
“It’s not your decision,” I say.“It’s mine.”I whirl and look to the left and right.“Get me out of here.”
