I gingerly slipped out of the truck. I sucked in a sharp breath as my feet touched the ground. The cuts on my feet were a painful reminder of what almost happened and were going to take more time than my face to heal. I slowly wandered around to the same side Cain was on as he grabbed the large black bag from the back seat. We made our way to the employee elevator and waited. Cain took his phone out of his pocket, and I watched him closely. It was fascinating to watch him work. He pulled up an app and then held the phone down at his side. As soon as the elevator doors opened, he tapped the button, and we stepped inside, the doors closing silently behind us.

I wanted to ask a million questions, but I figured I’d ask later and wrapped my arms around myself and rubbed like I was cold. The doors opened to the floor I’d been to many times before, and my stomach churned. It made me feel sick to think about the last time I’d seen Peter. He was a douche, and I should’ve left him long ago, but then I may not have found Cain. Even though anyone else would say, ‘that would’ve been for the best,’ to me, it wasn’t. I’d hated my life and had been floundering, trying to find myself, but not anymore, not with him. I had found a purpose I loved, a partner I connected with on every level, who saw the light and dark in me and accepted me as I accepted him.

“I’m going to unlock the door. I want you to stay behind me and remain quiet.”

I nodded as he pulled a key card out of his pocket and slipped it into the door. He pushed it open, and I slipped through on high alert, looking for where Peter might be. At least now I knew how Cain had so efficiently snuck in here.

Cain paused long enough to pull something out that looked similar to a gun from inside his jacket. We made our way quietly down the hall toward the bedrooms, and I could hear him moaning and looked up to Cain for confirmation that Peter was, in fact, having sex.

Cain held up his hand, and I stopped walking. He held a finger over his lips and motioned for me to stay where I was. I’d never known any of Cain’s victims to be shot to death, so I doubted that was what he was up to, but I prepared myself for a bang anyway.