Page 158 of Volik

I release my grip on his pants and flatten my hands against Volik’s back. “I ran a few houses down, to one that didn’t have a fenced-in yard and used their hose to wash off my leg. I know I should’ve left his blood on my leg, for evidence, but I… I had to get it off me.” Even now, with my fangs, the idea of that man’s blood still disgusts me. “I had this ugly purse. It was denim with a long cross-body strap. And I still had it on when… I hadn’t taken it off. Once my knee stopped bleeding, I cut through a few more yards, then used my phone to get a ride.”

A large hand strokes down my spine. “My clever mate. My strong mate.”

I let my eyes close as I soak in his praise, even while I feel the guilt. “I never reported it. I wanted to. But…”

“Tell me.”

“I went to my mom’s house the next day, and I told her. I thought she’d tell me what to do. Like, do I call 911? Do I go to the police station? Can I go near my apartment, or does it have to be in the town that guy lived in?”

“What did she say?”

My huff is acidic. “She told me there was no proof. That I should consider myself lucky after being so foolish. I pointed out the cut on my knee. And she said that was a result of me hitting him first. And that he could press assault charges against me.”

The room trembles with Volik’s anger, and it soothes me.

“I never told anyone else.” My voice is quiet. “Until now.”

The chest against my cheek expands as Volik takes a deep, slow breath.

I match his inhale, ready to tell him the last part.

The part that I memorized.

“I don’t know his last name. And I don’t know if the first name he gave me was real. But…” I let my eyes close again. I let my eyes close, and I let the guilt go, as I tell Volik the last detail. “I remember his address.”

Chapter 67

Volik

Icontinue to hold Nix.

I continue to purr.

I continue to cage my power, even though it is battering against my grip. Begging to be released.

I continue until she is asleep.

Until I am sure she will stay asleep.

Only then do I step away.

I keep purring. Keep up the calming vibrations as I walk out of the room. Down the hall. To my office. To look up the address. To plot a path from here to there.

I keep purring, letting the sound slowly fade as I walk out of the house. As I stand in the grass. Barefoot, in only black pants.

Tilting my head back, I look up at the clear night. At the stars. And I slowly release the lock on my power.

I have to keep my heartbeat slow.

I have to keep My Only asleep.

That is my gift to her.

This…

This is my gift to me.

I let my gravito swell in time with my rage.