Page 22 of Psychotic Nightmares

“Natalie, about this morning…” I sigh.

“I’m sorry. You were right. I shouldn’t have gone in.” Her grip tightens around me as her body starts to shake. I don’t move, just let her cry it out silently. I stroke her arms lightly with my fingertipsof my free hand. Most of the time I wore gloves while with her. I’ve only felt her skin a few times against mine, yet it still shocks me every time. From the rough skin of her scarred arm to the silky smooth skin of her other. It all feels amazing, because it’s her. It's Natalie. The person who literally ran through fire to save my life and got hurt herself.

When she was in and out of consciousness on the floor after pulling me out, I told her to live, begged her even. Then after wrapping my bracelet around her wrist I ran like the fucking coward I am. But not before picking up the photo in the gift bag that was beside her belongings. I knew it was wrong, but I wanted to keep a photo of the woman who helped me. And that one of her sitting on the sand looking over the sea, hair blowing in the wind. A bottle of wine in her hand and a large smile across her face. Fuck, I think I fell in love with her there and then. I took something else too, the one thing I kept for myself for all this time. I gave her back the photo, but I couldn’t give her back this item.When I heard her tell the doctors she didn’t have a significant other, I was confused. The item I took from her was definitely from a partner. That's when I knew she lost some of her memory. If I gave her back this, she would probably remember them and I wouldhave lost her for good. I wanted her to myself, selfish I know. But I couldn’t help it. I wanted to protect her with every fiber ofmy being.

And yet, I ran that night. I left her all alone in that dark field, the man who tried to kill me was still nowhere to be seen. I shouldn’t have left her. But I did. Just like I left her again this morning. I put her in danger both times. I’m never leaving her again. Never. Now she is here, I’m never letting her out of my sight again.Never again.

“I want to apologize for leaving. I should have fought harder to keep you home. To keep you safe.”I say once her sniffling quiets down.

Her arms loosen from around me and she steps in front of me. Her gorgeous eyes shine with tears as they look up at me. Her usual pale skin is now red from her crying. “I told you to leave. You were just doing what I said, you were respecting my decision, Julian.” She lifts her hands and cups my face. I cherish the touch. I need her to touch me some more. I need to feel her skin against mine. “I am the one who put myself in that situation. Me, not you. You have nothing to apologise for.”

A chair screeching across the floor breaks the moment. I look towards the screen in the corner of the kitchen on the small tablet connected to the camera in the Locked Room and see Howardsawake.That motherfucker.I storm over to the coffee table and pick up my mask. My phone buzzes again, but they can fucking wait. I have a rapist to deal with. Well, Natalie does.

“Come with me.” I take her hand in mine and lead her to the door with the padlock. Taking the key out of my pocket I unlock it, slide the door open, pull Natalie in with me and close it most of the way, I need to keep an ear out for anyone coming in. The fluorescent light flickers above us, Natalie blinks a few times to get used to the lighting then freezes at the sight of Howard. The caltrop is still impaled into his flesh, but has unfortunately stopped burning him. “Time to kill him.” I tellher.

Howard keeps his eyes on Natalie, glaring at my girl, a mix of fear and lust in his eyes as he looks up and down her body. I understand his reaction completely. She also brings out both emotions from me whenever I see her. But only I’m allowed to look at my woman like that. No-one else.

She’s mine.

Mine to look at.

Mine to touch.

Mine to keep.

And if he keeps looking at her with those lustful eyes, I will rip them from the sockets.

“I can’t.” She whimpers. “I can’t take someone's life.” I pick up a knife from the shelf. It's small but perfect for Natalie's tiny hands. I take her hand and wrap her fingers around the handle, she tries to fight against me. “I can’t.” She struggles against my hold. Her breathing quickens as panic begins to set in. The quicker she kills him, the quicker her panic will go. Even with him tied up and unable to touch her, she is still scared of him.

“I’ll help you.” I growl. “You have to do this Natalie. You have to.”

“I. Can’t.” She tries to pull away, but my grip is tight. “Julian, please. I can’t.” She whispers, pleading with me. Trying to calm the monster inside.

“You will.” I demand, pulling her forward she stumbles but manages to keep her balance. “Don’t worry, treasure. He can’t touch you any more. No need to be afraid.” I tuck her hair behind her ear while standing behind her and whisper, “I’m here, it’s okay.”

“Please, I can’t.” She starts to cry. But she has to. She has to be the one to take her rapist's life. It made others feel empowered, more in control. It will do the same with her. “I can’t do it.” she whimpers again. I hold her close, wrapping my hand around hers to keep the blade steady. She pushes back against me, trying to keep as far from Howard as possible. Her ass accidentally grinds against me, making me hard.

“You have to,” I push the knife against his throat. “He tried to kill you, Natalie.” I push the blade in deeper, deep enough to pierce the flesh and fresh blood starts tricklingdown. My cock reacts at the sight, hardening even more. Knives and blood are my weaknesses, right below Natalie.

She is my one true love. She is my ultimate weakness. Not only does she have my body craving hers, so much it hurts. She keeps my heart thumping. She keeps the blood running through my veins.

She is the reason I live.

“No, no. I don’t want to do this.” She’s almost screaming at me now. What’s wrong with her? I thought she would be happy getting her revenge. “Stop.” She shouts. And starts to fight against me. “Julian, stop.”

“It’s okay Nat. I promise he can’t hurt you anymore.” Howard closes his eyes, preparing himself to die. “See, he knows what's coming to him. All you have to do is slice his throat.”

“No.” She sobs. I wrap my arm around her waist and lift her from the floor to move her closer. Her legs start to kick against my shins.Ouch.“No!” She screams loudly. Loud enough so make me jump. “No!” She kicks harder, flailing her arms wildly. “STOP!”

“She said no.” Dante’s voice echoes around the room. She was screaming so loudly I never heard the door open. Howard really scares her that much? I guess the next time I bring Natalie in here I’ll have to knock him unconscious, maybe weaken him some more with the acid? Would she be brave enough to take his life then?

I feel Natalie being pulled away from me, the blade slices across my skin as she stumbles away. Dante spins her and pulls her against him. “Don’t you think she should have someone respect her no’s?” He growls at me.

Oh shit, he’s pissed.

Natalie hides her face in his chest while her hands fist at his shirt, the knife now on the floor from where she dropped it. Fuck I hate feeling jealous. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” He spits, then reaches into his pocket for his gun. “Keep your eyes closed.” He says softly close to Natalie's ear. His other hand comes up between her shoulder blades to play with her hair and my little green eyed monster wants to comeout to play. Howard now looks at Dante with some sort of recognition in his eyes. He’s scared of my best friend and yet they’ve never met. At least I don’t believe they have. “I warned you.” Dante doesn’t look at any of us. “I fucking warned you.Maledetto bastardo.”

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