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“Just keep me in the loop, at least.”

Before I can reply, the bathroom door opens and some steam escapes as she steps out. Her bright hair is darkened by the water, and her skin is glowing from whatever the hell she’s put on it. “Um, you mentioned burgers before?” she asks, and Mason and I both laugh and I stand up straight again.

“Yes, sweetheart. I’ll get on it now.”

When dinner is over, she moves to grab her plate, and I put my hand on her shoulder to keep her seated. “Don’t do anything, I’ll always clean up when I cook for you.” She looks conflicted, but nods and thanks me in that angelic voice.

Just being around her will give you a toothache.

When I finish up the dishes, she’s already laying on the couch, waiting for me. I was not prepared for how weirdly…domestic this feels. I don’t know how to cope with the fact I’m suddenly responsible for this girl, and suddenly…she’s mine.

I have someone to take care of again.

It feels…right. I feel needed again. Like my life finally has a purpose, because someone depends on me again.

“Hurry up, we should watch something to get in the mood for the season. They’re playing Halloween right now.”

“You like scary movies?”

“Sometimes. I mean I love spooky movies. Sometimes I get scared watching scary movies. But I think you’d rather watch a scary one,” she explains.

I take a seat next to her. “I don’t really like watching movies, anyway. You can put on anything, I’ll probably fall asleep.”

She laughs and gets comfortable against me. “But do you like Halloween?”

“Not really.”

“But you wear a mask!”

“That’s for disguise, not for a fun costume,” I remind her.

“But I like it. You should wear it for fun, too.”

“For fun, huh? What are you trying to ask me, sweetheart?” I take a piece of her hair and rub the end of it with my fingers.

“What! N-no I didn’t mean like that! I mean, because you don’t seem like you have a lot of fun. And like…you can totally try to uh, I don’t know. I lost my train of thought,” she rambles, and I know she’s nervous.

“That’s the only fun I’d be willing to have in it. I can’t be seen with it in public, Layla. It’s dangerous.”

“So…you’d wear it for me? If I asked?” she tests, looking down as she plays with the seam of her shirt.

“Are you asking?”

“I guess…I’m curious,” she says softly, and I can tell she wants to say something.

“Hm? About what, sweetheart?” I ask, releasing her hair and putting my arm up over the back of the couch.

“I’m curious what it feels like to have sex with The Hangman.”

Fuck. Those words go straight to my dick. “Yeah? You want to know what it’s like to be fucked by a killer, little girl?”

“Show me, daddy.”

That’s it. I need this fucking distraction. I’ve spent the entire day anxiously pacing around, fucked up while I worked in the shop. Now…I need my pretty distraction.

I stand and walk over to the side table that sits by my front door. I open the small drawer where I keep my mask and gloves, and slip only the gloves on, holding the mask in my hand. When I turn to look at her, she’s blushing. How much does she really want, though?

“You sure this is what you want, Layla? Because The Hangman isn’t as patient as I am.”