Next Steps
Ryan
I stood there, in Cade’s office, looking down at his limp body. The air was thick with the aftermath of what I had just done. I didn’t feel remorse—no, I felt nothing but satisfaction.
Avi stood behind me, her eyes wide, but there was something in them that wasn’t fear—it was relief. She rushed into my arms, her body shaking. “He was going to… he would have…” Her words trailed off, barely audible as she pressed her face into my chest.
I held her close, my hand running through her hair, soothing her. “I know, Little Bird,” I murmured, my voice low and steady. “I would never let that happen. Not to you.”
She looked up at me then, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “You may be a monster, Ryan,” she whispered, her voice trembling with a strange mix of fear and something else I couldn’t place. “But you’re the monster I need. The one who will protect me from men like him.”
A slow grin spread across my face, dark and predatory. “And I always will be, Little Bird,” I said, my hand slipping down her back, lower, until I cupped her ass, feeling the curve of it in my palm. “I’ll protect you from everything, anyone. You come first. Always.”
She responded with a fiery kiss, her tongue darting into my mouth, her hands fisting in my shirt. I could feel her heart racing, her breath hitching as I deepened the kiss. I pulled her closer, my hands roaming over her body, feeling her curves through the thin fabric of her dress she put on after her yoga class .
I broke the kiss, my eyes never leaving hers as I lifted her dress, my hand sliding up her thigh and underneath her satin panties. She gasped as my fingers found her wetness, her pussy already slick with desire. I chuckled, a low, throaty sound. “Always so ready for me, Little Bird,” I said, my fingers teasing her clit.
She moaned, her head falling back as I continued to tease her. “Yes,” she gasped, her hands gripping my shoulders. “Don’t stop.”
I smirked, my fingers moving faster, my thumb pressing against her clit. “I’m not stopping, Little Bird,” I murmured, my voice laced with determination. “Not until you’re calling my name.”
She whimpered, her body trembling as I continued to play with her pussy. I could feel her getting closer, her body tensing, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps. I leaned in, my lips brushing against her ear. “Come for me, Little Bird,” I whispered, my voice filled with dark desire.
She cried out, her body shaking as she came, her pussy clenching around my fingers. I smiled, a satisfied smirk, as I pulled my fingers out, bringing them to my lips and tasting her sweetness.
She stood frozen, eyes wide with a mixture of lust and disbelief, watching me like I was something dangerous. “You’re insane, Ryan,” she breathed, voice thick with awe. “Completely fucking insane.”
I smirked, the corners of my lips lifting as my fingers traced the buttons of my shirt, one by one. “And you can’t get enough of it, Little Bird,” I said, my voice low, deliberate. “You crave everything about me.”
Her breath hitched, and she moved toward me, her hands trembling as they worked on my shirt, eager but hesitant. “I do,” she whispered, a shiver running down her spine. “I love every fucking thing about you.”
I grinned, grabbing her dress, pulling it from her body in one swift motion. She stood there before me, exposed and breathtaking, her skin flushed with need.
She trembled, but it wasn’t from fear—it was hunger as she undid my belt, her touch shaking with the same intense need I could feel surging through me. Her eyes locked on mine, searching for something between us—permission, maybe, or a deeper understanding.
I could feel her breath hitch in her chest as she slowly slid my pants down, the moment heavy with tension. My hands found her waist, pulling her closer, pressing her body against mine. Every inch of her skin against mine felt electric, a pulse of heat that I couldn’t ignore.
My breath was hot against her ear, my lips grazing the sensitive spot just below it. “And I love you, Little Bird,” I whispered, my voice thick with dark promise. “You’re mine. Forever.”
Her body shuddered against mine, a frantic, desperate rhythm between us, like something primal that neither of us could fight. I could feel her giving herself over to it, to me. The connection between us was undeniable, raw, and all-consuming.
And in that moment, I knew: She’d never escape me. Not now. Not ever.
I picked her up, her legs wrapping around my waist as I carried her over to Cade’s desk. I laid her down, her body spread out before me like a feast. I leaned in, my lips brushing against her ear. “I’m going to make you mine right here, Little Bird,” I whispered, my voice thick with need. “I want to hear you scream my name—only my name.”
She moaned, her body arching up to meet mine. “Yes, Ryan,” she gasped, her hands fisting in my hair. “Fuck me, please.”
I smirked, my hands moving to grip her hips. “With pleasure, Little Bird,” I said, my voice filled with dark promise. “With absolute fucking pleasure.”
The air between us was thick with heat, charged with something deeper than just desire. Our bodies moved together, a dance filled with passion and desire. She screamed my name, her body trembling as she came, her pussy clenching around my cock. I followed soon after, my body shuddering as I came, filling her with my seed. The world outside ceased to exist. It was just us, in this moment, nothing but raw emotion, desire, and need.
We lay there afterward, tangled in each other, our bodies slick with sweat, hearts still racing, breaths coming in sharp, jagged bursts. I looked down at her, my fingers gently brushing against her cheek, tracing the soft lines of her face.
“I will always love you, Little Bird,” I whispered, my voice heavy with conviction, with something deeper, darker. “I will always protect you.”
She met my gaze, her eyes filled with trust, something profound in them. “I know, Ryan,” she said, her voice steady, full of the same certainty. “I know.”
I started to back away. I had to focus. We couldn’t stay here any longer.
“I need to take care of Cade’s body,” I said, my voice cutting through the silence. “We can’t stay here, Little Bird. Not after everything that has happened.”
Her eyes went wide for a moment, “Ryan, we can’t just leave. It’s too suspicious,” she said, her voice firm, even though there was a hint of fear beneath the surface. “If we just disappear, they’ll know something’s wrong. We’ll be hunted down. You know this. I can’t lose you, Ryan.”
I stopped in my tracks, a wave of frustration flooding through me. She was right. I’d been so focused on getting out, on erasing everything, that I hadn’t stopped to think through the consequences. I’d been ready to burn it all down, but she had a point. Running wouldn’t solve anything. Not yet.
I ran a hand over my face, trying to shake the fog of desire and panic that had clouded my judgment.
“You take care of Cade’s body,” she said, her voice quiet but firm. “You get rid of the evidence. Make sure no one will ever find out what happened here tonight. ”
I felt a knot tighten in my chest at the thought of what she was suggesting, but I didn’t argue. She had seen me for what I truly was, and still, there was no hesitation. No fear. Just trust.
“But you?” I asked, my eyes searching hers, trying to understand what she was asking of herself.
“I’ll stay here,” she said, her voice steady but something flickered in her gaze—doubt, maybe, or fear. “I’ll finish my time at the retreat. Tomorrow is the last day anyway. Let them think everything’s normal. I won’t draw attention.”
I swallowed hard, trying to suppress the overwhelming surge of emotions that rose inside me. The thought of leaving her behind, even for a short time, felt like a wound. But I understood it had to be this way.
“I don’t want to leave you here,” I said, my voice low, like a growl that threatened to slip out. Taking a deep breath, I finally nodded, though it felt like swallowing glass. “Alright,” I muttered, the words heavy in my chest. “You’re right. We do it this way. I take care of Cade, and you finish this retreat.”
Her eyes softened, and I saw that same trust—the fragile yet unshakable bond I had always recognized between us. In that instant, it hit me. This wasn’t just about survival anymore. It wasn’t about what I wanted or the mistakes I couldn’t undo. It was about her. About us. It was always meant to be this way—our paths intertwined, creating something real, something stronger than the chaos. I wasn’t just protecting her; I was building the future we both deserved. And it always had to be with her.
“I’ll come back for you,” I said, my voice steady now, a promise woven through the words. “And when I do… we go home together. You can start a new life with me. No looking back.”
Her eyes flickered with a mix of exhaustion and resolve, the weight of what we were about to do settling in. “How will we do this?” she asked, her voice quieter now, worn from the tension but still strong.
I exhaled slowly, trying to ground myself in the practicality of it all. We couldn’t afford to make any mistakes. This had to be clean, precise, no loose ends. We had to be on the same page.
“I’ll get into his computer,” I said, my voice steady as I looked her in the eyes. “I’ll type up a letter—one that says he crossed the line with a patient. Make it look like he left on his own. No one will question it.”
I could see her mind working, turning the plan over in her head, weighing the options. She trusted me to make it happen, and I knew she didn’t want to ask too many questions—didn’t want to think too deeply about what we were doing. But she had to trust me.
“I got this, baby girl. Trust me”
She nodded while I moved over to my clothes, I put them back on and walked around the desk to Cade’s computer.
I glanced back at Aviana as she was getting dressed, her eyes following my every move, trusting me to make this right. I could feel her eyes on me, that unspoken connection between us. She didn’t need to say anything. She was already prepared to play her part.
I finished typing the letter, reading over it once more to make sure it was flawless. It needed to sound like Cade—an expert in his field, someone who could make an abrupt but believable exit. Every word was crafted to erase any trace of suspicion, to make sure there was no room for doubt.
To whom it may concern,
I regret to inform you that I am unable to continue my duties here at the retreat. After much reflection, I have come to the conclusion that my professional boundaries have been compromised in a way that leaves me no choice but to step away from my position. I must take responsibility for my actions and acknowledge the harm they may have caused.
Effective immediately, I will be returning to home, to take some time for self-reflection and to address personal matters that require my attention. It is with deep regret that I leave the retreat at this time, but I believe this is the best course of action to maintain both my well-being and the integrity of this institution .
I hope you understand the necessity of this decision and I trust that the team will continue to provide excellent care and support to the remaining patients. Thank you for your understanding.
Sincerely,
Dr. Cade Brenner
I turned to Aviana, my eyes locking with hers as I pulled the letter up on the screen for her to see. “It’s done,” I said quietly, a cold smile tugging at my lips. “No one will question this.”
She stepped forward, her eyes scanning the letter quickly. Her fingers brushed against mine, a silent acknowledgment of the effort that had gone into this—our plan, our future.
I leaned in, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear again, this time letting my hand linger a little longer, feeling the connection between us, the silent promise of everything I would do for her.
“I haven’t been caught yet, have I?” I said, my voice low, filled with that dark promise she knew well. “No one will ever be able to take me away from you, Little Bird.”
She met my gaze, her eyes unwavering, and nodded. That trust—everything—poured from her in that single motion.
I clicked the print button, watching the letter materialize on the page.
I placed it carefully on top of the neat stack of files on his desk, the printed letter now the last thing anyone would see before they noticed his absence. It blended right in with the rest of his paperwork—no signs of haste, no signs of disruption. It looked like any other letter he might have written, professional and plausible.
My mind was already shifting into the next phase, my movements precise and deliberate. I didn’t want to leave any trace behind, any evidence that could tie me to this place.
With the letter in place, I started cleaning the office. Every surface was wiped down, every item carefully put back in place. I didn’t take any chances. The more we covered up now, the less likely we’d be to make a mistake. The less likely anyone would start asking questions .
I finished cleaning, the office now looking as if nothing had changed, as if Cade had simply disappeared without a trace. I threw his lifeless body over my shoulder, the cold weight of him dragging at my strength, but I didn’t falter. I carried him with the ease of someone who’d done this before, the weight of his death now fully my responsibility. The dark sky above, the quiet of the night—it all seemed to close in around me, a suffocating reminder that there was no going back.
Every step was deliberate, calculated, as I moved through the retreat’s grounds. The camp was quiet, the other campers safely tucked away in their cabins or occupied elsewhere, leaving no one to witness what was about to unfold. The shadows wrapped around me, concealing my every movement, masking my intentions. It was just me and Cade now, the darkness my only companion.
I reached his car after pressing the unlock button on the key fob, the tail lights flashing in the dark like a beacon leading me straight to it. It was parked in a remote spot at the far end of the lot, out of sight from the main building—just as I’d hoped. I tossed open the trunk, the cold metal creaking under my hand, and dumped Cade’s body inside without a second thought.
The finality of it hit me as I slammed the trunk shut. There was no going back now. Cade was gone, and in his place, I had set in motion a plan that would change everything.
I wiped my hands against my pants, as if that would cleanse me of the dark weight I carried. But it wouldn’t. Nothing would. This was the point of no return.
I moved around to the driver’s seat, sliding in quickly and starting the engine. Aviana would be waiting for me, and I needed to take care of this problem, get back to her and take her far from here.