Her wrist is cuffed, the slack wrapped to the headboard, chain coiled over her arm like jewelry meant to bruise.She chained herself.A key, the master key is on the nightstand like an offering.I pocket it.I’ll put it back behind the bar before Legend realizes it’s gone.
My top clings to her in the moonlight, thin, slipping off one shoulder.Her legs are tangled in the sheet, one bare thigh exposed.The shadows kiss her skin like they’ve been waiting for her.
Like I have all these years.
My throat tightens.
I shouldn’t stare for too long.
But I always do.
Her lips part softly with each breath.Her hair sticks up.A reckless halo.A warning.
I remember holding her the night of the crash.
Her fingers in my hoodie.Her voice whispering Legend’s name.Her body trembling against mine.
I didn’t fuck her then.But I wanted to.Eventually did.And now I’m staring at her.I can have her at anytime.But once I do, they’ll be no going back to the way we were.A stalker and his prey.
I walk out the door, shut it quietly.
Instead of choosing her, I lean against the wall, arms crossed, letting her presence anchor me and kill me at the same time.
The fabric scrap burns in my pocket.
A thought forms.
Dangerous.
Useful.
Wrong.
If I set her loose…
If I let her wander…
Whoever is taking girls might make a move.
We could use Becki as bait.
The idea makes me sick.
But it might save lives.
I test the lock, not turning it, just feeling the mass of it under my hand.
She deserves to choose.And I don’t trust myself to ask without turning it into a threat.
Tomorrow.
Tonight, I’m…
“I know you’re there.”
Her voice slices through the steel door.
I freeze.
