Page 23 of Little Twisted Things

My eyes flew open as my heart pounded out of my chest. Katherine wasn’t hiding from monsters that night. She was creating one so she could survive. And I would be forever grateful she did.

After showering, I slipped on my robe and headed downstairs. My heart leaped out of my chest when I walked into the kitchen and saw Alex sitting at the table with a box of muffins and two coffees.

“Alex, you scared the shit out of me.”

“Sorry, darling. I wanted to surprise you.” He stood and kissed my lips. “I brought your favorite muffins and coffee from that bakery you love.”

He still had a key and the alarm code to the house. I’d have to fix that.

“Then, you’re forgiven.” I smiled.

He picked up the small remote and turned the news on while we sat down and had muffins and coffee together. A photograph of the latest victim appeared on the screen. Natalie Connelly. Twenty-three years old.

“This morning marks the second day of the investigation into the murder of twenty-three-year-old Natalie Connelly, whose body was discovered yesterday morning on Higgs Beach. Authorities are now advising young women to be alert at all times, stay in pairs, and stay home at night until The Last Chapter Killer is found.”

“So, they are admitting there’s a serial killer in Key West,” Luke said.

“Well, when three dead bodies with similarities turn up, I would say there’s a serial killer on the loose.”

Alex stood from his chair. “I’m worried about you.”

“Why?” My brows furrowed.

“Because there’s a serial killer on the loose who takes pleasure in killing young women. You need to be careful, Dahlia.”

“I’m always careful. Stop worrying, Alex.”

“I won’t. Not until this psychopath is caught and behind bars. I have to get to the university. Dinner tonight?”

“Of course.” I smiled.

“Have a good day.” He kissed my lips.

“You too.”

I almost wished I didn’t have to work today. I needed to know more about The Last Chapter Killer. Now, with dinner with Alex tonight, he’ll want to stay, and I wouldn’t be able to do my research. So, I decided to have someone do it for me.

I stepped into the gallery and saw Tess hanging a new piece of art. I froze when I saw it. Eyes Without a Face.

“Another one?” I walked over to Tess.

“Yep. It came last night after you left with two other paintings. I called Esme and asked her about it, and she said she couldn’t sell it and maybe I’d have better luck.”

I stared at it, and I knew what I had to do.

“Take it down. I’ll buy it.”

“Seriously?” Tess glanced at me. “You want this hanging in your house?”

“Yeah. I have the perfect spot for it.”

“Okay. If you say so.” She removed the painting from the wall and took it behind the counter.

I was finishing up with a customer when two women walked into the gallery. The woman with the short blonde hair looked like she’d been crying.

“You need to divorce him,” her friend said.

“I can’t. It’s Macy’s senior year, and I will not ruin it for her.”