23

 

“Stop fidgeting.” Kevin warned his quarry as she struggled against the binding ropes. He checked the knots, although he knew Sierra’s sister could not escape.

Piper tried to dislodge the gag he’d placed in her mouth. She heaved, probably from the accelerant he’d soaked the cloth in, but he didn’t care. This woman was inconsequential.

“Your sister is nothing like you.” He straddled a kitchen chair and faced Piper, flicking a lighter and watching the flame rise high in the dim room. “She’s a fighter. I’ll take great pleasure in making her beg for her life.”

Tears slid down Piper’s cheeks.

Anger boiled to the surface. Kevin could not tolerate weakness. He picked up the gallon container of kerosene and doused the kitchen. The stench burned his nostrils and stung his eyes.

Piper shook her head violently from side to side. She struggled to speak through the dirty cloth clogging her mouth. Something resembling the word ‘why’ made it past the barrier.

He tossed the empty can across the room, and it landed with a metallic clang. The noise made Piper shrink back, like the coward she was. “Not yet. I want Sierra to watch.” He paced the room. “No doubt she’ll bring her boyfriend with her.” The thought of another man touching his property sent another wave of fury through him. Detective Price would pay for his actions. The man had been a nuisance ever since he’d been forced to teach Amber a lesson.

Kevin checked his utility bag for his new ID. It was ready and waiting. He’d paid an exorbitant amount for it, but it was worth it. He’d finish this business, and then start a new life. He’d open up his own law practice. Somewhere warm, he decided. And sunny. That’s where he’d find his perfect mate. At one time, he’d thought Sierra was that perfect woman. What a fool he’d been.

He wouldn’t make the same mistake again.

Kevin reviewed the plan again in his mind. He had every detail sorted out, and every possible anomaly accounted for. His strategy was infallible. Nothing and no one would get in his way. He hadn’t graduated top of his class on a whim. He’d worked hard for his degree, and his career. No two-timing woman was going to ruin his success, and no misguided detective would stand in his way.

Kevin clenched his jaw, and took out a photograph. “Wait till Price gets a look at this.”

His triumph over the detective gave Kevin a high like the purest of cocaine. He only wished he could stick around and see the look on Price’s face when he saw the picture of Amber, on her knees begging for mercy.

Kevin looked at Piper and boasted, “In case you’re wondering. This is what I’m going to do to Sierra.” He held out the picture.

Another sob escaped his hostage and he sobered. “Stop sniveling.” He took care not to step in the accelerant as he stood and maneuvered a small explosive device from his bag. He set it on the table, and made sure the remote detonator was armed.

Sweat seeped from Piper’s brows, and her eyes shone with renewed fear.

“It’s only a matter of time now.” Kevin’s heart beat at a fast, but steady pace as he stepped to the window, peering into the inky darkness. It didn’t matter that he couldn’t see what was out there. He’d placed numerous alarms across the property. If anything so much as breathed on Piper’s land, he would know about it.

A few moments later, the alarm sounded. A surge of adrenaline coursed through Kevin and a feral grin lifted his lips.

Justice was about to be served.