Page 30 of Wicked Nightmare

Skeeter nodded frantically, words tumbling out in a desperate rush. "Janine lives nearby. They've even got a foster kid now. But I swear, they're not hurting the child. They're different now, I promise!"

A laugh bubbled up from my chest, sharp and bitter. I waved my hand dismissively, cutting off his pathetic excuses.

"Oh, honey," I cooed, leaning in close enough to feel his panicked breath on my cheek. "You really expect me to believe that leopard changed its spots? Please."

People like the Almines didn't change. They just got better at hiding it. A new husband, a new house, a new foster kid to play happy family with. The system handed children to people who'd already proven they couldn't be trusted with them, because the system didn't track, didn't follow up, didn't give a fuck. Sarah had moved us out of the Almines and into Carmen's, and nobody had ever gone back to check if John and Janine had gotten another kid to replace us.

But they had. Of course they had.

My mind whirled with this new information. Janine, playing happy family? As if she could ever be anything but a monster. And now there was another kid involved? History repeating itself in the worst way.

I locked eyes with Cam, a silent conversation passing between us. Time to change tactics.

"Well, Skeeter," my smile was all teeth. "Looks like we've got ourselves a field trip to plan."

Cam stepped forward, his towering frame casting a shadow over our informant. He was so imposing, all the air in the bathroom was sucked out and I shivered as goosebumps broke out over my skin. This was always my favorite part.

"Now, let's talk about the Nuns," Cam said, his voice,. "Where are they hiding these days?"

Skeeter's face drained of color, his head shaking in a silent, frantic refusal. The fear etched into every line of his face was almost beautiful. Almost.

"Come on, man," I coaxed, running a finger along his jaw. "Don't clam up on us now. We were having such a nice chat. You said before you didn't know, and considering Father Christopher met with you, I'd say you do. Or at least, know how to contact them. C'mon, babe, just give me a little hint."

Cam's dark eyes shone with malice as he grabbed those fat cheeks and squeezed before releasing and slapping him lightly. "I'd listen to the lady if I were you."

Skeeter's lips quivered, but no sound came out. I sighed dramatically. "Well, can't say we didn't try the nice way."

Without warning, Cam's hand moved. The knife flashed in the dim light, and then—

Skeeter's scream filled the room, a raw sound of agony that bounced off the tiles and burrowed into my bones. I couldn't tear my eyes away from the thin strip of skin dangling from Skeet's face.

"Jesus," I breathed, equal parts joyful and aroused. Cam's capability for violence never failed to send a thrill through me. "Warn a girl next time, would ya?"

Cam's lips curled into a smirk. "Where's the fun in that, baby?"

I giggled, the sound overriding Skeeter's whimpers. His face poured blood, splashing onto his chin and dribbling down his neck, soaking his shirt. It was beautiful and part of me wondered what he would look like if his whole face looked like that.

This poetic violence was why Cam and I worked so well together. If I needed him to jump, he’d ask how high. If I needed to jump, he'd bend down so I could use him to vault the stars.

"Aw, come on now," I cooed, patting my fingers on his sweat-soaked head. "No need for waterworks. Just tell us what we want to know, and this can all be over."

Skeeter's tear-filled eyes met mine. "I—I'll talk," he choked out. "Please, just... no more."

God, I loved it when they broke.

"The group home," he gasped, words tumbling out in a frantic rush. "Everything you need to know is there. Where Lakey stayed. During Cam's time in the clink. It's all there, I swear!"

My body went rigid. That hellhole where I'd rotted while Cam was locked away. Where nightmares were born. How did he know about that? How did he know I stayed there?

I straightened, my playful demeanor evaporating. "Now, Skeets, we just have one little issue..."

He swallowed, his tear-crusted eyes landing on mine. "Wh...what?"

"We don't know where it is. You see, a lot of my time there is a big, black hole. So, you're gonna need to refresh my memory."

He shook his head. "I don't... don't know where it is! Lakey, please, I swear—"

Leaning down, I grabbed his nuts and twisted. "Listen here you sweaty little piece of fuck, give me that address or I will cut your balls off and feed them to you. I'll cauterize the wound with a piping hot pan, so you don't bleed to death and make sure you die a very slow, very painful death."