Chapter 68

“Okay,” he finally said, moving toward the door. “I’m going. I can’t…”

“Jesse. Please. Don’t leave me with him. He’ll hurt me. Jesse, please.”

Jesse didn’t slow, but his voice was weak. “He won’t.”

“The rest of you. Go.” He looked at Michelle with a sneer. “Except for you. You can stay here and make sure I don’t kill her. I’m sure that’ll make you feel better.”

“There’s no reason for me to go as well,” John said evenly. “I’m not affected by her.”

“Yes, there is,” Gideon shot back. “We need something to tie her down. As much fun as it is to hold her like this, I think some of you might feel better if I wasn’t.”

“I know where to find something to tie her up,” Jonah announced.

“How do you know?” Derek asked.

“Jesse showed me.”

“You can show me,” John said, herding them both toward the door. “Detective, you can stay with Mr. Madding.”

“I’m going to kill you,” Emma hissed. “A rope can’t hold me. I’m going to tear your dead heart out.”