Page 8 of Viper

His training kicked in. His movements became more methodical, and a sense of calm washed over him as he glided the remaining distance to the boat.

Chapter Three

“You won’t get away with this,” Paige spat. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth as she spoke each breathless, pathetic word. She sat against the headboard of Craig’s king-sized bed, her hands tied awkwardly to the frame.

He reached forward from where he sat on the edge of the bed and caught a drop of blood on his thumb, then brought it to his mouth and sucked. “I already have.” Menace and self-satisfaction shone in his eyes.

She curled her lip. “You’re stupid if you think that. I’m sure the police are onto you, and if another body shows up so soon after⁠—”

Whack!

His knuckles clapped against her cheek again, stealing the breath from her lungs.

“Did I ask for your input?” he whispered, his hot breath scalding her lips. “I’ve been doing this a long time, sweetheart. No one suspects me.”

She closed her eyes, shuddering at his proximity. She could kick him again. She’d done it already and he’d nearly choked the life out of her. Her throat ached with unshed tears and caged screams.

She’d certainly angered him enough to earn a quick death—only that’s not what he wanted. Every passing second confirmed that he’d restrain himself until he couldn’t any longer. That he loved the game, the mind fuck.

“Got something to say, Paigey? Come on. You’re so ballsy in the water. I saw you touch a hammerhead just yesterday, and you’re afraid of little old me?”

She opened her eyes and glared. Her anger hotter than a Roman candle on the Fourth of July. “You’re right. I should be afraid of them. Because you know what they have that you don’t? Power. You’re a small man, Craig. A sick fuck who deserves to suffer. Becoming fish food? That kind of death would be too clean for you.”

He reeled back and balled his hands into fists.

She waited for the blow that would knock her out, for the grip that would steal her last breath.

He moved closer on the mattress and trailed his fingers over her cheek and down the column of her throat to the neckline of her dress.

Paige’s muscles locked. She couldn’t draw in enough air to reach her lungs. She didn’t dare move. Didn’t flinch. Her brain frantically searched for a way out, but she was trapped.

His fingers swept under the material of her dress, moving like centipedes as he fondled her breast and found her nipple.

The grimy taste of disgust hit her tongue. She needed to end this sick little party. “Is this what you have to do, Craig? Tie women up just to cop a feel?”

His cheeks turned bright red. “You’re not very smart, Paige. Or do you like swimming with chum, waiting for your shark friends to eat away at you like a buffet?”

Cold sweat coated the back of her neck, but she forced away the crippling anxiety. In truth, she’d rather face every predator in the ocean instead of him. At least their instincts weren’t sadistic.

She bared her teeth. “Go to hell.”

He seized her nipple in a biting grip. She cried out as he twisted. Pain shot through her breast.

“Let me go!” she screamed, jamming her heels against his abdomen.

His sick laughed turned high-pitched. “I knew I could make you scream.” He let go. Blood rushed to her abused flesh, and the tender area pulsed.

He stood from the bed. At six foot two, he towered over her. “Do you want to know what made Annamay scream?” His distant, dreamy voice sent alarm bells clanging against her skull.

Her breath wheezed in and out through her nose as she studied his face. His eyes took on a faraway look and were colored with excitement.

A lump pressed against the back of her throat. She swallowed but it didn’t budge. “Craig, you need to let me go now,” she said lightly, almost convincing herself she wasn’t afraid.

His mouth turned down at the corners. “Annamay cried a lot. You’re different.”

“Craig, people are looking for me. Chantal knew I was coming here. She’ll⁠—”

He shook his head distractedly and began pacing in a small circle while rubbing his fingers over his scalp. “No, no. No one looks for the girls. No one finds the girls. They stay with me forever. They⁠—”