Page 33 of The Art of Being a Psychopath

“It’s been lovely to see you again,” he said, his voice deep, yet gentle and sincere. “We’ll sort a date out soon.” And with what looked like regret, he put his hand out again to shake mine, reigniting the sparks I already missed. “I’m so sorry I have to leave you, but I’m late for a meeting. I really must go.”

“Goodbye, Alex,” I said, as he dropped my hand and turned to leave.

I watched him walk out of the gallery, but still felt the ghost of his presence lingering, his cologne floating in the air like a memory I never wanted to forget.

“You do realise what just happened, don’t you?” Lloyd whispered, ruining the moment and coming to stand too close to me. “I don’t think anyone has ever been invited to Sunford Manor, at least, not since the Duke and Duchess died. He’s always shunned visitors and he never entertains. When the Duke and Duchess were alive, they were always hosting events.” He nudged his arm into my side and smirked. “I think he likes you.”

“He just wants people to appreciate his art collection,” I replied, trying to fight the blush that I knew was spreading across my cheeks.

“Be careful, though,” Lloyd went on. “S.K.A.M. is unpredictable. He’s someone you don’t want to upset. And if you do go to Sunford Manor, and write another piece for your newspaper, you need to make sure it’s right.”

“I’ll bear that in mind,” I replied, forcing myself not to give the eye roll I wanted to.

“So, about that dinner...” Lloyd started, but I shut him down right away.

“I’m so sorry, but I don’t mix business with pleasure. Thanks for the offer, though.” And while holding Alex Kingston’s business card firmly in my hand, I turned and walked away, leaving Lloyd to stand there in shock and gawp at me as I left.

CHAPTER

ELEVEN

S.K.A.M.

Iwatched her walk out of the art gallery with a smug grin on her face. She stopped on the pavement outside and looked at the card she held in her hand like it was something precious. As if by knowing someone like Alex Kingston, it’d help her in the long run. Protect her from the bloody, vicious path she’d set herself on.

It wouldn’t.

Her smile grew wider, and she put it into her handbag and held onto the strap like she expected a villain to come along and snatch it from her grasp. There was a villain watching her, but they weren’t interested in stealing the contents of her purse. They wanted to steal something much more profound.

She stood tall as she walked down the road, glancing around before crossing the street and heading towards the train station.

She wouldn’t be smiling for long.

I had plans for Emma Belmont.

And like a line of dominoes, I couldn’t stop it now. That first brick had already fallen. It was only a matter of time until her life came crashing down.

CHAPTER

TWELVE

EMMA

The next day, I walked into the office feeling a strange sense of dread. Heads seemed to follow me, watching me walk past, and I had no idea why. Did I have toilet paper stuck to my shoe or food on my face?

I surreptitiously checked my reflection in the wall of glass besides me as I headed to my desk, and I looked fine, but I was getting the side-eye from way too many people for it to be a coincidence.

“Good morning, go-getter,” Dan said as I sat down and turned on my computer.

Go-getter?

He’d never called me that before.

Something was definitely going on.

“What’s happened?” I replied, giving him a blank look that told him I wasn’t in the mood for bullshit today.

“What’s happened? You mean, what hasn’t happened.” Dan smirked, making my irritation rise at the fact that he wasn’t answering my question at all.