Gerald had gotten close once.
That would be the last time.
Because now I knew exactly what he was doing.
He wasn’t hiding.
He was hunting.
And I was done letting him think Sadie was prey.
35
BEAST
By sunrise, I had a plan.
Not a good plan.
A necessary one.
Sadie stood in the kitchen doorway wearing one of my shirts.
The sight should have distracted me.
Normally, it would have.
But all I could see was the fear she was trying to hide.
The coffee cup shook slightly in her hands.
Not enough for anyone else to notice.
Enough for me.
“You should sit down,” I told her.
“I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not.”
Her chin lifted.
“I don’t want him to win.”
The words hit harder than they should have.
Because Gerald had already taken too much.
Her sleep.
Her peace.
Her ability to walk outside without looking over her shoulder.
I crossed the kitchen.
Took the cup from her hands.
