Placing my still shackled hand in his, it seemed more like a piece of jewelry now. I wasn’t sure if I’d run if he took it off, and as I stood and he drew me into his body and kissed me, the idea of running was pushed back in my mind, the image becoming an out-of-focus picture.

Chapter 29

CAIN

I wasn’t sure why I offered to do this, but the idea of doing something to please my Sunshine was important to me. Very little outside of my needs and everything that protected those needs interested me at all.

I hopped the fence into the backyard of Margaret Lawson for the second time with no fear of her suddenly showing up like last time. She was being a very naughty woman and was at a particular man’s condo, and I now wished I had a camera in Peter’s place. I was pretty sure their relationship had been going on before Kirby left for what they thought was a vacation, and I was pretty sure that Peter hoped she’d never come back.

I slipped Kirby’s key from my pocket and let myself in the back door. I’d already shut off the alarm and cameras, and even though I’d only been in here once, I knew the home. It always astounded me that people were so blasé with their information. My Sunshine hadn’t been the exception to the rule regarding this particular pandemic in society. I’d break her of the habit, just like I was starting to break through her mind and unlock the door that held her dark desires. The ones she pushed down and tried to hide. The fantasies had her downloading images of murder scenes. On the surface, her actions seemed innocent enough considering her schooling, but I knew better.

She’d cowered and looked away when I killed Barbara in front of her, but I caught her more than once watching, her eyes glazing over and a passion I recognized beginning to form. She understood the beauty of my work, and I now understood why I was drawn to her from the very beginning. Yes, her eyes were the most stunning amethyst orbs in the world, but it was deeper than that. The recognition and acceptance of my world she understood on a cellular level.

The memory of what we’d done all last night was enough to make my body shudder. She’d asked me if I could love. I honestly didn’t know. It was like saying I would cry when I’d never shed a tear. Yet, the idea of having her in my life until my end warmed me in a new way, and I liked it.