Page 108 of The Art of Being a Psychopath

“I kept a truth to myself so it wouldn’t hurt you,” he replied, and I scoffed.

“You’re just twisting your words to suit your narrative.”

“Maybe, but it’s the truth. I did it for the right reasons. There was no subterfuge. Nothing underhand, I promise.”

I stared blankly into my lap, my ears ringing as I breathed deeply.

Alex took my chin in his thumb and forefinger to turn my head to face him.

“I don’t want to argue with you, Emma. And I hate to see you so upset.”

“Then don’t lie to me,” I pleaded with him. “Or keep truths to yourself, however you want to word it. And don’t leave stuff like that on your computer for someone to find. It’s harrowing. I’ll be seeing those photographs for a long time.” My rapid breaths and racing heart were beginning to slow down. “And promise me he’ll stay locked up. I need to know he’s not out there.”

He looked heartbroken that I’d seen what was on his computer.

“I’m so sorry,” he said, stroking his thumb over my hand that he held tightly. “I won’t let anything like this ever happen again.” And judging from the honesty that shone from his handsome face, he meant it.

I nodded and he stared at me, the thoughts running through his mind echoed in his eyes as he frowned to himself.

“What is it?” I asked, knowing he was toying with telling me something else. “Tell me.”

“I just want to protect you. That’s all. I want you to let me deal with all the bullshit.” He put his arms around me to pull me into a hug, and I let him, only resisting a little to show I still wasn’t over it. “I want to treat you so well you forget you were ever scared of that man. I don’t want you to have to think about him, see him, or talk about him. As far as I’m concerned, he’s dead. Gone. He’s of no importance to us or our lives.”

I closed my eyes, enjoying the warmth of his embrace.

“I guess if we’re being totally honest, I might have another confession,” he said, and a sick feeling surged inside me again. I went to pull away, but he wouldn’t let me. “Don’t worry. It’s nothing bad. Just something I need to show you. Something which will hopefully put what happened today, and what you’ve seen, out of your mind. If that’s at all possible.”

I wasn’t sure anything could do that, but I nodded quietly in agreement.

“I’m not sure I like your confessions,” I said, regarding him with suspicion.

“Well, I hope I can change that with what I’m about to show you.”

CHAPTER

FORTY-TWO

EMMA

Istill felt shaky and nauseous. Images of the murder scene flashed through my head like a horror movie on repeat. It was becoming quite a habit, having to erase horrors from my mind. And I knew they’d live with me for a long time to come. That, and the thought that he might still be out there, watching me, despite what Alex had said about him being locked up. But I’d agreed to get into the car with Alex and take a drive to see whatever it was he wanted to show me.

When we pulled up outside my house, I turned to Alex, feeling a little confused and concerned that he’d brought me back here so soon. I’d expected him to try and keep me at his home for longer.

“Are we here because the house is ready for me to move back into?” I asked, but I couldn’t deny, the thought of being alone again filled me with dread. Especially after today.

“Not quite. The attic still hasn’t been secured. Your landlord is an asshole. He promised it’ll be done by next week. I told him I’d do the brickwork with my own hands if it wasn’t, and he threatened me with legal proceedings. That amused me. He obviously has no idea who he’s dealing with. But it’s fine. It’s being sorted.”

I nodded in a daze, apprehension still buzzing away in my brain like a swarm of wasps had taken residence in there.

“So, why am I here, if it’s not ready?”

I peered up at my house as we sat in the car. It didn’t feel like home anymore, which was sad. I had loved this place at one time. My slice of freedom and independence. I hoped it’d feel that way again soon.

“Let’s get out and I’ll show you why,” Alex replied, and the thrill and secrecy of what he had to show me intrigued me enough to agree.

We climbed out of the car, and he came to stand next to me, holding my hand as we walked up the path. I glanced sideways at him, still feeling a little suspicious despite my curiosity. But from the way he hummed to himself, he wasn’t apprehensive at all. The nightmares that plagued me weren’t even on his radar.

Once we got to my front door, he took out the spare key that used to live in Ethel’s drawer and unlocked it. Then he pushed the door open and stood back to let me walk in first.