Chapter 21: Carrot Cake (Kane) - Once I Find You

Fuck, it’s so hard to be dishonest with someone who implicitly trusts every word I say. She looks at me as if I can do no wrong. It hurts me to know that I’m someone who can look her in the eyes and pretend, even when she has that big, beautiful smile on her face.

But if I tell her someone is blackmailing me, she’ll feel guilty. If she realizes someone has been watching her and following her, she’ll panic. Though I want to be angry at her for having put me in this position in the first place; I need to hold back. I know she didn’t purposely expose me to someone. I know she didn’t realize someone was watching her. She’s completely unaware of the lurking dangers of the world and the fucked-up people in it.

That’s why she needs me. As much as I thought I could kick her out of my life and move on, I’m fucked beyond repair over this woman. The idea that someone else could have her was hard enough. The idea that someone is now threatening her safety?

Lord help them when I find them.

All I have to do is eliminate the threat before she finds out about it. I want to protect her from having these thoughts that plague me. She deserves a life where she can freely…skip about and eat cake, or whatever the fuck she does. If this unknown person tells her about my past…I don’t know if she would ever look at me the same again.

Would I still be her hero? Would her eyes still sparkle when she looks at me?

When we finally make it back to the shop, I try my best to keep my face neutral so she can’t see the way I’m spiraling. She’s so excited that I’ve asked her to move in, and I wish I had done it simply because I was ready.

I need her close. I need her safe. I can’t have some random person going up to her and telling her everything about me. And I have no fucking idea if this person is going to hurt her in the process, too. They’re certainly capable of it, and likely not working completely alone. I feel relieved when I see her set her bag down in the living room and drop to her knees to play with Bacon.

For now, this is fine.

“Oh, Layla!” Mason booms, coming to greet her. “What ya doing here?” he asks, his eyes flicking over to me.

“Kane didn’t tell you? I’m gonna be staying here with you guys,” she says, but as Bacon licks her cheek, she laughs and gives her attention back down to him.

“Oh, no, he didn’t.” He raises his eyebrows, and I give him a look to say, ‘I’ll explain later.’ “Well, that’s great. I guess we could use someone who bakes here. I’ll get free cake, right?”

“Sure! I’ll bring you some when I get off work tomorrow. What kind do you like?”

“Oh, chocolate all the way. I think Kane likes carrot cake,” he jokes, but she just tilts her head.

“Carrot cake? Why?” she asks me, and Mason laughs.

“Idiot,” I mutter, shaking my head.

She stands up, picking up her bag. “Is it okay for me to take a shower?”

“Of course,” I tell her, and she smiles before she locks herself in the bathroom.

Right as the lock turns, Mason turns to me. “So?”

I roll my eyes, sighing as I pull the phone out of my pocket. I open the text thread and hand it over to him. He takes it, and his eyes widen a bit as he reads them all.

“Seriously? You should just tell her about them, Kane. Don’t let this person⁠—”

“No, she can’t know. I don’t ever want her to know that shit. Do you know how it feels to have someone who thinks so highly of you? I don’t want her to change.”

“I get it, I do. But you’re letting this random person blackmail you about telling her. You think you can keep it from her forever? It’s gonna be worse when she finds out from someone else,” he explains.

And…I know that. But I can’t tell her. If I can lure this person out and handle them, I can sleep easy again and not worry about losing Layla anymore. I would have staked out her fucking job if I hadn’t had cars to work on here at the shop.

“I don’t know who this is, or what they’re capable of yet. They say I killed someone they loved who didn’t deserve it, and that…fucking worries me. It’s the words of someone who may try to flip the same scenario on me.”

He seems to understand where I’m going with it, and he rubs the back of his neck. “You’ve never killed someone you weren’t one-hundred percent sure of, right?”

“Never,” I answer immediately. Never have I ever been unsure. I extensively check each bastard I hunt, and usually they’re begging and apologizing the moment I come for them. I can’t think of one of them that could have ever been thought not guilty.

“Then why would they say that?”

“Fuck if I know. Probably some sort of sympathizer who thinks the person they love could never do something like that.” I motion dramatically with my hands, and scoff. “Whoever it is, they’re done. I’m going to find a way to entrap them and tie up the loose end. I’ll bury them with my mask and be done.”

“For her? You’re stoppin’?” I nod once, and he slaps my back. “Good job, old man. I think you’ve found a good one. You know I’m here to help you make it happen.”

I’d never drag anyone into my mess, not even Mason. I don’t need anyone’s help. I’ll get this person on my own, and instead of dedicating myself to killing to compensate for my sins…I’ll dedicate my life to Layla. I’ll make her happy. I’ll keep her safe. I’ll give her everything she’s ever wanted. And maybe one day…I’ll have made up for a fraction of the two lives I didn’t save.

“Anyway, I asked what they want, and nothing. I’m just waiting.”

“Just keep me in the loop, at least.”

A novel for your next quiet moment.

Find something to read on Lokepub.

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.”

She nods quickly, and I grin. “Okay,” I say, lifting the mask to my head and starting to slip it on. “I’ll give you a head start to get downstairs before I get my hands on you, unless you want Mason to hear what I’m about to do to you.” She stands up, like she isn’t sure if I’m serious.

No, baby. If you asked for it, I’m going to give you exactly what you’re asking for.

“Go, because once I have you alone, I’m going to show you what it’s like to be fucking owned by me.”