Chapter 28
Royal
The hallway outside Becki’s door feels colder than the night outside. Maybe because I’m colder. Maybe because I haven’t slept in days. Maybe because the Reverend’s voice is still in my skull like a hook.
The world is falling apart. And she…
The girl I nearly claimed…
She’s humming.
A soft sound. Barely a whisper.
Mocking me.
I unlatch the door and sneak in.
Becki sits on the bed, knees drawn up, blanket around her shoulders. She looks small. Wounded. But her eyes…
Those eyes are knives.
“You sent Sophie,” she says quietly.
I lock the door behind me.
“I didn’t send anyone.”
She smiles, just a little.
A dangerous smile.
The kind meant to cut.
“You think I am oblivious to how, she looks at me? Like I’m poison wearing lipstick.”
“You might be.”
She stands slowly, the chain pulling taut, sliding across the metal bar of the cot.
“I ain’t the only poison in this room.”
I jerk. “Don’t test me,” I warn.
“I’m counting on you failing,” she whispers.
I step forward. She doesn’t retreat.
Two predators, one cage.
“You escape again…” I start, hating to risk her.
“You’ll catch me again.”
“Not fast enough.”
“Sophie wants it, too. To use me as bait.”
Something in me snaps.
I grab her wrist…
Not the chained one, the free one…
And slam her back into the wall. She gasps. Not in fear. In challenge.
“I can’t let you run again?” I snarl. “Run. I’ll drag you back bleeding.”
“Do it,” she breathes. “Do something real.”
I pin her hands above her head. Her breath hits my throat. Her lips part.
“Royal,” she whispers.
Something breaks loose inside me like a dam giving way.
My mouth crashes against hers. A violent, bruising, desperate kiss. More threat than tenderness. Her teeth scrape my lip. Her nails rake my neck. She’s shaking. I’m shaking.
Her breath stutters.
Her body arches.
Mine answers without permission.
It’s hunger for her. It’s hatred for wanting to risk her even only for a moment. It’s need sharpened into something unholy.
I break away, chest heaving, forehead pressed to hers.
“This can’t happen,” I rasp.
“Then why does it?” she whispers.
Because I’m losing myself.
Because she’s the fire.
Because I’m already burning.
I shove away from her like I’m saving both our lives.
But neither of us is saved.
Not anymore.