My brows start to draw together because it’s one of those plastic ones that have fake blood dripping on the inside, but then I still my expression because I’m not trying to make her any angrier.
“What the fuck are you doing?” she shrieks, making me wince. I put my fingers to my lips to shush her again, because I need her to calm down and be quiet.
“Killer ...” I say calmly, but she stabs the knife at me, making her hair bounce with the way her body jerks ragefully.
“Don’t call me that ... Why are you here?”
My hands are out in front of me as I try to urge her to be calm, but it’s not working.
“You need to listen to me ...”
She scoffs, drawing her head back. “Fuck you. I need to listen to you? Who do you think you are, coming in here and ordering me around? Because I know who you’re not—my boyfriend, my fiancé, a guy who refrains from lying ... Should I keep going?”
Jesus Christ. I’m going to have to pick her up and throw her over my shoulder, while she literally tries to stab me in the back, to get her the hell out of here.
She growls, making my eyes pop open wider.
“And how did you even know I was here?”
Shit. I take a step forward, wanting to explain, but she scowls at me, so I step back. “Okay ... I’m not going to hurt you. I just need to talk, but I’d preferably like to do thatawayfrom this camp.”
She laughs, but it’s a mix between panic and a callout of what she clearly thinks is my audacity.
“You’re not going to hurt me?” The face she makes is half smile, halfI hate you. Oh shit. “Says the fucking guy who just had his hand over my mouth.” Her voice raises way too loud. “And broke my fucking heart!”
“Baby, I didn’t want you to scream,” I rush out, instinctually closing the distance between us.
Her eyes pop out of her head as she hurries backward, and I see it in her eyes.
She’s going to scream for help.
Goldie’s mouth opens, and I know it’s coming, so I pounce, sealing my palm over her mouth again and wrapping my other hand around her body. Our eyes are locked, both pleading with the other.
She’s trembling and I hate it, but I need her to listen. But then her eyes move down, and I realize in the moment that she’s fake stabbed me.
Damn. My girl actually stabbed me.
“Okay ...” I breathe out as I look back at her. “If you’re done fake murdering me, I’d like to talk.” I swallow. “I promise I am not here tohurt you, Goldie. But you’re in danger, and I need to get you and your sister out of here.”
Her brows draw together, and I can feel her chest slowing as she stares up at me. Seconds tick by as we just stare at each other. And I know that holding her like this isn’t ideal, but it’s really nice to be close to her again.
I let out a breath and take advantage of the silence.
“There’s a lot to say, but this isn’t what you think ... I’m not the bad guy, killer. But someone dangerousishere, and I think he wants to hurt you, and maybe Evie too. So we have to get the fuck out of here, okay?”
I hear and feel the fake knife retract from my gut.
But when she doesn’t say anything, I realize my hand is still in place over her mouth.
“I’m gonna take my hand away now. No more screaming ... Nod if you understand.”
She hesitates, then nods.
I take a deep breath and slowly remove my hand as we never break eye contact. You could cut the tension with a knife. Her lips part as she breathes steadier and then slowly lifts her hand, making me tense before she brushes her hair from her face.
Her voice is quiet as she stares up at me. “How am I supposed to trust you?”
I frown because what I want to say is,Because you know me. But that’s not true anymore. So I go with reason.
