Chapter 13
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Fire burned throughRiley’s shoulder. Sweat covered her skin, and fresh blood slickened the skin around her wrists and ankles.
She’d tried to fight Hayes off, but being bound had made it an impossible feat. He’d held her down while he made the incisions.
Each one more painful than the last.
Riley could feel the warmth of her blood as it dripped from the cuts. She didn’t have to see the skin there to know what he’d done.
He marked me. Just like all the others.
After cutting her, the bastard had then used the bloody scalpel to slice through her shorts. Even more exposed than before, Riley was now lying on the bed—on Eric’s bed—in nothing but her bra and panties.
The worst part—the mosthorrificpart—was when he’d taken the picture of her back and sent it to Eric.
Another tear fell onto his pillow. The soft cotton was already damp against her chin, because she’d cried when Hayes told her what he’d done.
Not the cutting. That she could handle. It was the thought of Eric opening the picture of her, of him seeing what the son of a bitch haddoneto her... that was what broke her heart in two.
He’ll blame himself when he finds me.
Over the past three years, she’d gotten to know Eric West well. Better than anyone else in the world.
Which is how Riley knew that the strong, sweet, caring man she’d fallen in love with would go to his grave believing her death was his fault.
I’m sorry, Eric. I love you.
She closed her eyes, sending more tears free. Riley inhaled his scent, thankful to at least have that much of him here with her.
Memories of the times they’d spent in this bed played like the most wonderful movie in her head.
It was filled with endless clips. Scenes that took place here and in her own apartment. Stolen moments at the Swinging Pig, or in the car going to or from a scene.
But it was the moments they’d shared at the beach house that were the most special of all.
I love you, too, Riles. Pretty sure I have from the moment I first saw you.
