Savage Monster (Boys Without Remorse #2)

Chapter 2

two

Onyx

I walked beside Korain as he rushed to where the scream had come from. Someone was already on the radio, saying they were on their way, since this was supposed to be Korain’s day off. But nope—my boy wanted to rush head first into what could potentially be a dangerous situation. When he told the ranger on duty he was already headed that way and was closer, the other ranger just let it go.

What a douchebag.

Up ahead, people were freaking out. Some were recording. Others were taking pictures. A couple seemed to be on the phone with 911. Two other people were throwing up.

I had a feeling this was about to be a fucking disaster.

“What the fuck?” Korain mumbled, breaking into a jog. He pushed through the throng of people and immediately gagged at the sight before him.

I clenched my jaw.

It was a young girl—probably eighteen or nineteen. She was still in her pajamas, and her hair was wrapped in a messy bun, strands falling out everywhere as if she’d just rolled out of bed. It looked like she’d been on her way to the restrooms just up the hill. Fuck, she was even wearing her damn bedroom slippers—like she couldn’t have been fucked to find regular shoes for the trek from her campsite to the bathrooms.

But what was horrific was her slit throat, the cut so deep, it nearly decapitated her.

Korain was green, his skin clammy as he quickly called it into the local sheriff’s office. I stayed close to him but scanned the area, my jaw clenched. The killer was still on the loose, and I had no doubt in my mind it was the same motherfucker who had killed the other four people. Gritting my teeth, I pulled out my burner and texted Pops.

Onyx: Can you send me a map of the bodies with the dates they were killed?

Pops: Check your email.

Opening up my email, keeping a keen ear out for Korain, I clicked on the encrypted file, scanning my eyes over the map. A snarl twisted my lips when I realized there was a path of sorts.

A path that led to here . Too close to my fucking boy.

Police showed up, ushering everyone away and back to their campsites. I doubted anyone would be staying any longer. Most of them looked pretty freaked out and panicked. The park would be empty by nightfall if these tourists had any fucking sense about them.

Korain came to stand beside me, his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes scanning the area around us before they landed on me.

“What do you think?” he quietly asked me as police chattered around us.

I shrugged one shoulder. “Pretty fucking grim,” I said, my tone coming off bored.

He glared at me.

“What?” I asked. “I’m a fucking psychopath, Korain. This shit,” I waved my hand toward the lifeless, bloody girl, “doesn’t faze me.”

He scoffed. “But you had a whole freakout over someone snooping around my cabin.”

I turned to face him, my face serious. He swallowed thickly when he looked up at me, like I made him nervous.

“You are mine ,” I quietly warned him. I took a step closer to him, the tips of our shoes touching. “I don’t want anyone around you. I tolerate your fucking coworkers. But the creep around your place last night?” I leaned into him, our chests brushing. He was breathing a little too fast, his lips slightly parted, his pupils dilating as he focused on me like he was waiting for my next words with bated breath. “When I get my hands on them, I’ll slaughter them.”

He licked his lips. “You’re fucking crazy.”

A cold smirk tilted my lips. “I never claimed not to be,” I coolly reminded him. “But no matter what, you’re always safe with me. That I can fucking vow. And it’s a vow I’ll take to my grave.”

An officer caught Korain’s attention before he could respond, and he blinked like he was coming out of a trance. Clearing his throat, he stepped away from me, going to the cop and avoiding looking at the body as much as possible. I couldn’t hear what was said, but I watched closely, reading his body language. Korain tensed, and I cocked my head the slightest bit. Whatever he was being told, it had him on edge.

Which had me on edge.

My burner phone vibrated in my pocket. With a sigh, I tugged it out, answering Pops’s call.

“Yeah?” I grunted.

“Why did you need that info?” Pops asked me. “And where the fuck are you?”

I sighed. “There’s been another body.” He remained silent. “I’m at the scene of the crime.”

“Why?” he finally bit out.

I grimaced, knowing he’d chew my ass out for this one. “Some fucker was creeping around Korain’s place last night. I rushed over here because he wasn’t answering his phone, and I sat with him until he woke up. But?—”

“You what ?” Pops growled.

“Can I finish?” I snapped. He made a low sound of warning. I sighed. “We heard a scream. Came to check it out. Girl about eighteen to nineteen. Slit throat.” I looked at her again. “Her hands are resting on her chest like some Wednesday Addams kind of shit—just like our fucker’s MO.”

“Fuck,” Pops sighed. “Unless there’s a copycat running around, which I highly doubt there is, it’s the same person who killed the other four.”

I gritted my teeth. “Yeah… And he seems to be taking a path.” I watched Korain nod at the officer and shake his hand. “I’m sticking around here whether you like it or not, Pops. The only way you’re prying me away from Korain is with me in a body bag.”

Pops sighed. “I’ll rein your dad in because he’s not going to like this.” Yeah… Dad tried to keep us as “human” as possible, but it didn’t always work. We were too much like Pops. “Be careful. And call for backup if you need us, understand?”

“Got it.”

I ended the call just as Korain turned, looking at me. Our eyes met, and I held his gaze, my focus calm and unwavering. His shoulders slumped just the slightest bit. I doubted he even noticed.

He might want to hate me, but instinctively, he knew I wasn’t the enemy. His soul knew I was here to protect him and keep him safe.