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My breath catches in my throat at the sound of footsteps. Coming through the back door and into the dim light of the church is a man in a hooded mask.

The man from the video.

Terror engulfs me. My breathing grows faster, louder as he comes toward me.

He settles in front of me, a tall, imposing figure. Then I watch in horror as he reaches a hand to the mask and pulls it off.

Bile surges in my throat as I get a good look at Please. The man who’s been after me for months. The man who took Melly. All those girls.

He’s disturbingly handsome, with a square jaw, tousled golden blond hair, and ice-blue eyes. The expensive suit clinging to his slender, well-muscled physique reminds me of the boardroom CEOs who come to the Velvet Belles with money to spend. Looking at him, you’d never see a monster.

That’s what makes him so dangerous.

Please’s plastic face twists into a grin. “Sleeping Beauty awakes.” He steps forward, stroking a finger over my cheekbone. I cringe. “I thought being tied to a pole was fitting. Seeing as how you danced on one like a common whore.”

“Fuck you.” My body convulses as I wrench at my bindings.

Please chuckles. “Don’t worry. You won’t be in those long.”

A loud clang makes both of us jump.

Please swears at the noise. But my heart skips a beat as the familiar sound of church bells echo throughout the space.

The old church.

We’re still in Tempest.

But far on the outskirts. No neighbors. No cars or people. Screaming won’t help.

When the bells fall silent, Please looks up into the rafters. “It’s loud. I should have taken you out of state, but I couldn’t wait anymore. I couldn’t take the chance you’d escape.”

Blood roars in my ears, whipping panic, rage. “Who are you?”

“I’m Mr. Please. I produce movies.”

“You produce madness.” Tears sear my eyes and fill my throat. “You’re a monster.”

“You’re right. I am. But I’m sorry to say, there are a lot of us monsters out there.”

His eyes are chilling, and I flinch.

Please cups my cheek. “Monsters who want beautiful, unhealthy things.”

“Don’t touch me.” With desperate effort, I turn my face away. Hatred simmers in my veins.

“Oh, Lady Lawless, I’m going to do more to you than just touch.” His nostrils pulse, and he lowers his hand to grip my throat. “Look at me. Now.”

I gasp for air but find none. Blackness overtakes me. My ears ring. When my eyes race to his, Please releases my throat, steps back, and despite the swimming world in front of me, I can breathe again.

“I have to tell you how much I love you, sweet Delilah.” Please circles me, his smile growing more plastic with every step. “The first time I saw you dancing, I knew you’d be mine. I knew I had to have you. You were the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.” His lip curls. “And then you had to go and run. You ran from me.”

I shiver at the malice in his voice. The sheer disbelief that for once in his sick, twisted little life he failed to get what he wanted.

He gestures to the camera. “I’m going to record a masterpiece of a movie. Or should I say, you will.” He stops suddenly. “You put up a good fight, Delilah. You running actually upped the demand from my customers, if you can believe that. What can I say, they like a good chase. Which is why I gave you a little extra freedom the last few months.” He laughs darkly. “You think you were that good at not getting caught? I could have had you anytime I wanted.”

“Fuck you.” I spit at him. It lands on his cheek. Eyes alit with a perverse joy, he wipes the spit off with his palm, then brings it to his mouth, where he sucks it off.

“You’re a fucking psychopath.” I gulp down fear, disgust.