Page 49 of Girl Long Gone

“It’d have to be one hell of a catalyst.” She glanced down at her chipped fingernails. Maybe it wasn’t. She had her fair share of experiences with people who chose to be monsters for the fun of it. Maybe Gabriel was born evil, and poor Lynette Nelson was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The outline of Ben’s phone lit his front pocket. He grabbed it and glanced at the screen. “Sorry, I’ve got to take this.”

Evelyn turned her attention to the clock on the wall. Connor would be there soon, but she didn’t want to stop working, stop trying to figure out this mess until he got there.

She closed her eyes, bringing all the information into focus. She twisted and turned the facts, comparing and manipulating the evidence.

A long-shot idea took hold. It was a stab in the dark, but she typed in “what’s the meaning of the name Lynette” into her search engine and scoured the results. She clicked on a link and read through the meanings of the name of the girl who could have been the beginning of Gabriel’s twisted game.

Anglo-Saxon meaning: Bird

Celtic meaning: Grace

Latin meaning: Mild

French meaning: Little Beauty

Evelyn grunted out her frustration and closed her laptop. She folded her arms over the top of the computer and buried her head in her elbows. So a graceful, beautiful bird of mild manner was the key to finding Gabriel. What did she think she’d discover?

A door crashing open jolted her awake.

Connor ran into the kitchen and threw his arms around her, lifting her to her feet and securing her against him. He buried his face against the side of her neck. His body shivered against her.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” She rubbed her hands up and down his arms and tried to chase away whatever plagued him.

“I’m so glad you’re safe. I was so scared I’d lost you.”

“I’m okay. You’re here with me now, and you’ll keep me safe.”

Connor nodded and drew in a deep breath. “You ready to go?”

Warmth rushed through her, and she tilted her head to stare into Connor’s handsome face. “Absolutely. Let’s go.”

Gabriel sucked in a lungful of dirty, musty air. His nostrils flared, and he closed his eyes as the familiar scent tickled his nose and a rush of endorphins flooded his brain. The lights flickered, but he could still make out every exquisite home he’d made for his little pets.

A pang of regret jabbed him. He’d spent years building his collection. Years hand- selecting the right pets to bring into his sacred space. He’d poured his time and sweat and love into creating the perfect resting space for each of the little beauties who’d helped him achieve his mission in life—who’d helped him release his darkest needs and desires.

But now he’d have to leave them.

He kissed the tips of his fingers then pressed them against the last wooden home he’d come to say goodbye to. Leaving them was like leaving a piece of himself, but fucking Detective Mitchel had given him no choice.

No, it was time to leave and start over somewhere else. He flicked off the light and made his way up the ancient steps. The wood squeaked and hummed under his weight, and he relished the sound, the familiar dip of the steps as he slowly made his way upstairs.

He slid his hand into the front pocket of his pressed trousers and pinched the lock of hair between his fingers. He moved it around, savoring the feel and texture of the still-silky strands. No matter what he had to leave behind, his favorite Little Beauty would always be with him.

He closed the door at the top of the stairs and took in the sight of his workshop before he left. Sadness might be a part of his new journey, but so was an eager anticipation he hadn’t experienced in years. Excitement hummed in his veins. He skimmed his fingers along the rough wood of his workbench, committing to memory every groove, every knot, every fucking splinter that pierced his skin. This place had been his sanctuary for years, but overnight, it had turned into his prison. He had to escape.

But first, he had one last kitty to tend. Monica had outlived her usefulness, and the time had come for her to play her final part in his plan to seek revenge on Detective Mitchel.

He stalked toward her, and she squirmed against the corner he’d kept her secured to. Wide blue eyes stared back at him, tears coursing over her cheeks and glimmering over the bruises on her smooth skin. Her grunts and muffled yells intensified the closer he got, but the duct tape over her mouth kept them from reaching their full potential.

He crouched beside her, grabbed a fistful of black curly hair, and yanked back until her eyes stared up at him. He groaned, her fear increasing the need to release himself, but he couldn’t give in to temptation. Not now. He’d hold on tight to the sensation and make his reunion with Evelyn that much sweeter.

Gripping the edge of the tape on her mouth, he pulled back and ripped it from her skin. Monica yelped and yanked against his hold on her hair. He grazed his knuckles against her jawline and she stilled, her gaze locked on his. He leaned down and pressed his mouth to hers, using his grip on her hair to keep her in place. He ground his mouth against hers, prying her lips apart with his tongue so he could dive into her warmth.

Her teeth came down on his tongue and pain shot through him. He reared back and spit blood onto the floor. A deep, rumbling laugh erupted from him, and he flattened his palm against Monica’s cheek. “Oh my little kitty, I’m going to miss you. But I’m afraid the time has come to say goodbye.”

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