I look around but all the windows are closed.
A heartbeat later, the distinct sound of shattering glass cuts through, coming from where Sara is.
Joe and I move simultaneously, his weapon drawn as we sprint down the hallway and I slam the door open. Wind whips through the curtains from the open window, and my broken lamp litters the floor.
I already know what I’ll find. My deepest fear sinks my stomach into a bottomless pit before I even look at the bed.
It’s empty, covers thrown back where Sara was minutes ago.
Forty-Two
Sara
Liam’s body against me and inside me is making me dissociate into a moment I wish to never end. Terrified, I hold on to him, kissing him as though it might be the final time, mesmerized by the light in his eyes and lost in a paradise I’d die for. I would give my life up for him. Liam is all that matters, all that ever will. He’s dug too deep in my soul. Each of his thrusts propelling me into a loop of pure ecstasy as I feel every inch of him owning every part of me.
I’ll always love Joe, I wrote our story in my head a thousand times, with a thousand different endings. His eyes on me,watching Liam consume me, is cathartic and painful, but I have to let him go, even though he’ll always own a part of me. Joe was my first love, but his brother is my last and no matter the version, it always ends the same way—with me standing here, loving Liam, choosing him, and I have to pray that this will not be the last time he ever sees me.
When I woke up, the lights were off, and an eerie silence in the bedroom besides the pounding rain made me panic. I looked around the house before stepping out the front door, looking for Liam and Joe.
Someone instantly whirled me against the wall, pressed a blade to my throat, and pushed a hand against my mouth.
“You scream. You die.” My eyes met Tyler’s. I nodded frantically against his hand, keeping me quiet. Fear keeping me immovable.
“You’re going to let me come inside. I’m going to find the money and the poker chips Joe took from us, and then you will leave with me.” Tyler delivered the command, deliberately enunciating each step.
I tried to pull away, but he pressed his knife deeper, and his hand moved away from my mouth to let me speak, “It’s not there, Tyler. You won’t find it.”
“Then I’ll make Liam tell me where it is.” He let out, anger rushing through him.
“He’ll kill you.” I spat.
“I’ll wait until he’s asleep, next to you, vulnerable and —”
“No. No. Don’t hurt him, please. What do you want?” I pled with him, shaking, trembling against him.
He laughs mockingly. “You. Just you then. You say one word and I’ll slit your throat before Liam even expects your last breath.”
I accepted, shaking and desperate to do anything I could to keep Liam safe. Tyler finally let me go and walked right into the house.
I’m so sorry, Joe, andI’m so sorry, Liam, I’ve let the devil inside.
“I love you. The words are too simple, but I love you.” His words shatter me inside. He’s right, the words do feel too simple. They’re bigger than what I can express with my voice. I hope to show him with all my heart how much he means to me. I owe him that much.
“I’ll always love you, Liam, no matter what happens,” I whisper. I truly hope I’ll get to tell him how much more I’ll love him day after day once this is all over—once I lead him to who’s in charge and he stops them.
I watch him pause, then I lay back down. I just need him to walk a few more steps. He takes them, clicking the bedroom door shut, leaving me wondering if I’m taking a risk that will cost me my life away from him. I sit up, the cover falling down to my lap, and I reach for my clothes on the nightstand.
“You can come out now, you piece of shit,” I whisper not too loudly, but with a bite I hope will choke him to death.
As I get dressed, the sound of the closet door behind me opens. My heart sinks into my stomach. I wanted to tell Liam that Tyler was in the house, but I didn’t know where he was hiding until I noticed some water from the rain at the bottom of the closet. And at that point, Liam was unharmed, in my arms, lost in each other. I stayed quiet. Tyler had his knife, probably a gun, and I knew he was ready to do something I couldn’t survive if he hurt Liam.
I hear his footsteps approaching as sweat pools on my forehead, and every instinct tells me to run. I’m scared, I’m trapped. I could scream, but Tyler is already at my side when Ifeel the cold metal against my skin as the tip of his knife finds my chin, forcing my face up to meet his eyes.
“You're such a pretty, brave little thing,” Tyler says, his voice carrying a mock admiration that makes me feel sick. I swallow hard, tasting fear like copper in my mouth.
“I love that you're making it easy for me. I had to bring something back, if it’s not the money, it’ll be you. Hurry up.” He jolts me upward.
My hands shake as I pull on my clothes. Every second feels like an eternity, every movement deliberate so as not to provoke him.
