Reign of a King (Kingdom Duet 1)

I wish you didn’t save me.

The worst thing you can do to a life is suffocate it.

A crime is a secret.

Bury them all.

The more I read, the deeper the hole between me and Alicia grows. I’m starting to doubt if I even knew my sister.

It’s like an entirely different being possessed her hand and scribbled those words.

Maybe it’s like with Dad. I thought I knew him, but…

I shut the door on that thought as I step into my building and smile at Paul, who’s watching TV with Shelby. My neighbour doesn’t even acknowledge me. It’s Paul who strikes up a conversation, asking how I’ve been.

He reaches behind the counter. “There was a man who came to ask about you the other day.”

My muscles tense. It must be the solicitor. “Did he mention his name?”

“No. He left when I told him you don’t live here anymore.”

Phew.

Shelby raises the volume of the TV and my relieved breath catches. A news anchor appears, his expression serious and it’s for a very good reason.

The man who’s sitting across from him in a grey room is the main character in my nightmares. The one who digs graves and suffocates people with duct tape.

Maxim Griffin.

The most notorious serial killer in the UK’s recent history.

My father.

The news anchor’s serious tone drifts from the TV. “Today, we’re having an exclusive interview with Maxim Griffin. It’s the first time in eleven years that he has willingly chosen to talk. What happens when a killer breaks his silence?”

The camera zooms out to focus on Dad. He’s sitting casually on a chair, wearing a black jacket and khaki trousers, appearing serene. His beard is trimmed, but he’s still the same — broad, tall. Handsome. Looking like every woman’s dream makes him so scary.

It’s why they fell at his feet.

When his suave voice sounds, his Yorkshire accent barely there, I almost topple over from the force of it on my nerves. “I chose to be silent, thinking I was protecting my daughter. But now, I realise she needs to be brought to justice, too.”

I stumble and nearly fall backwards.

No.

No, no, no.

“Miss Harper?”

I gasp as Paul touches my shoulder. My heart jumps in and out of synch as if it’s about to leap out of my throat.

“Are you okay? Do you need to sit down?”

I need to get out of here.

Not just the building, but out. Out.

I snatch the package out of Paul’s hand and fly out of the place where Maxim’s voice rings out, where he’s haunting and coming after me. My heart is hammering and my breathing is bursting out.