The man who had betrayedher.
7
11:05 p.m.
She was here.
He’d known she would come. Watching her as often as possible during the past few weeks had confirmed his conclusion. She took her work very seriously. Seriously enough to defy the long-standing threat to her safety.
If ending her life had been his only goal, he could have killed her numerous times before now. While she slept or showered. Even one as vigilant as she let her guard down from time to time. But luring her here was essential to the finale he had planned.
A smile tugged at his lips.
It was fate ... just as it had been centuries ago. He closed his eyes and let the death chant whisper through his mind. He’d planned every moment. Not a single step could be skipped. Each step, no matter how small, served a purpose too important to bypass or to ignore.
Especially now. He opened his eyes, his jaw tightening with fury. The police had taken his son. And the bitch who’d ruined everything was still alive. He’d intended to see that she was good and dead as he had the last bitch who’d attempted to destroy him. But his son had still been awake. By the time the boy had gotten to sleep trouble had shown up. The bitch had called 911 behind his back. He’d had no choice but to leave. The unexpected adjustments were a nuisance but he had a planin place for those, too. It would all come together in the end, just like a finely orchestrated battle.
Until the enemy had been silenced once and for all.
It would finally be finished.
Rage ignited deep inside him, churning and building like an inferno. The past had to be set to rights first before his future could be protected.
Before his son would be protected.
He had been wrong to believe that the past could be ignored ... disregarded. The signs had all pointed to this. He had to be strong and fulfill his destiny.
Movement in the window drew his attention back to the woman in the motel room. He sat in the darkness of his car and watched. Occasionally he saw her shadow through the drapes.
Of all the princesses, she would present the greatest challenge.
But he was prepared for that challenge.
He would not fail.
He would not be free—his son would not be safe—until the last princess was silenced forever.
8
Saturday, December 24; 4:00 a.m.
She held her breath.
Adeline struggled to escape. Flung her arms outward to knock free the restraint keeping her beneath the water.
She couldn’t hold her breath much longer! Why didn’t somebody help her?
Help!
Her lungs burned.
She couldn’t resist any longer. Her lips parted and water rushed into her throat.
Adeline bolted upright.
She gasped. Coughed. Fought to catch her breath.
Her skin was damp ... her T-shirt soaked.