Page 40 of Death Kiss

We set to work, but every time I look over, I catch Kat looking at me with an expression I can’t read.

There’s no doubt I’ve just made things worse for us.

I use one of Alan’s bread knives to follow as many of the stab wounds as I can, changing the shape for forensics. We douse the body thoroughly with bleach, in the hopes that it will kill any of my DNA.

Alan doesn’t have much available in the way of accelerants, so we pile cushions, clothes, paper, pillows and anything flammable on the body before setting the pile alight and getting out of there, going through the woods to grab our tarp setup as we pass.

Behind every tree, I swear the shadows of the men we’ve murdered skitter at the edge of my vision.

SEVENTEEN

KAT

Reggie’s fur is so soft between my fingers as I pet him mindlessly. Between Liam’s muscled arm wrapping around my waist and Reggie’s warmth curled into my tummy, I should have fallen asleep long ago.

Alas, sleep doesn’t come easy when you’ve just taken another life.

I need the list to end. And there’s no way back. The men deserve to die, but every single body takes a chunk from my soul that I don’t think I’ll ever get back.

So I lay here in my bed, safe physically, but with my mind tormenting me over and over. The metallic stench of blood clings to my nostrils. Alan’s death noises ricochet around my skull.

You can call Liam’s dad’s death an accident, and Sam’s self-defence. But the others? Murder.

I’m a murderer. Like those people you read about on crime blogs or see interviewed from a cell.

Revenge was supposed to give us a future. Knowing we’d sought retribution for Liam’s past, instead it’s putting wedges between me and everyone I love.

My eyes grow heavy, and I let them close, hoping for a different result. Liam’s behind them, his face contorted in feral rage, and I jolt back into the room.

Reggie stretches beside me and gives me a look that screams Will you lie at peace, woman?

I ease my phone off the bedside table, swiping the brightness down in an effort not to wake Liam.

Ellie’s name fills my screen. Six texts, back to back.

Freddie asked me on a date!

Like a real one.

Are you awake?

Hellooooo?

Do you think people will judge me? Because of Sam? I feel like a bit of a dick, but I also need some. IYKWIM?

Ignore that. Who cares what people think? Right? Anyway, should I wear my slutty black dress or go for demure? MESSAGE ME, WOMAN.

Fuck. That bloody reporter is still sniffing around my best friend. Can’t trust one as far as you can throw them.

It’s not outwith the realm of reality that he actually likes Ellie. She’s one of the best people in the world. And I want her to be happy. But he’s interested in Sam. It’s too coincidental.

He wants a scoop, and I can only imagine he’s staying close to Ellie to try to see who’s around her. Suspect scoping, so to speak. Which is a problem, because Liam and I are here like two great neon signs saying, KILLERS. Thankfully, no one would have any reason to expect motive from us, unless they knew about Liam and Sam’s past. Could he find that out?

I sure as flipping hell hope not.

Ellie’s texts sit in my hand, and I should reply, but I don’t know what to say. It’ll look weird if I don’t.

‘Oh, Reggie,’ I whisper. ‘What a mess.’