Page 79 of Savagely Scarred

It didn’t help.

After drying my hair with a giant white fluffy towel, I wrap it around my body. Exiting the bathroom, I approach the bed slowly. Laying on top of the comforter is the torn picture I took out of my pocket.

Enzo came back with our food shortly after I read it in the park. At least, I think it was a small amount of time. I had frozen in place and lost all awareness of my surroundings. I must have looked terrified because he dropped our hot dogs to grab my face to get my attention.

It’s okay… I had lost my appetite anyway.

A week has passed since Kyle left me the first note. That one was more of an announcement of his presence. Something I had been waiting nine long months for. This one is a threat. One laced with malicious intent.

He’s coming to drag me back to hell with him.

There’s a battle raging inside of me. Fight or flight has never felt so visceral. One is trying to pull my emotions in every direction at once, trying to find a way out. The other is sinking its claws into my chest, holding me down so I can’t escape.

My hand reaches out to pick it up when the bedroom door flies open and bangs into the wall. I startle, clutching my towel.

Sage stands in the doorway, both hands gripping the molding on either side of him. The veins in his arms protrude, his muscles flexing. He must have gotten a shower at headquarters before coming home. He changed into black gym shorts and a white tee. His chestnut hair is damp and messy like he’s been running his fingers through it.

I swallow the scream that had caught in my throat upon his dramatic entrance. Sage clenches his jaw, his lip twitching slightly. The room feels like all the air has been sucked out of it. I take a step back when he lets go of the door frame and moves one foot forward.

“Did you”—another step—“or did you not”—his hands ball into fists with another step—“disobey me today?”

Puffing out my chest in defiance, I look up at him. “Enzo was with me.”

“I don’t care if the entire department was with you, I told you not to set foot in another park.”

“I—,”

He holds up a hand to stop me, and picks up the picture lying on the bed. When he flips it over to read it, the muscle in his jaw ticks. “Lorenzo called me on my way home. I know exactly what you’re up to.”

My fingers unfurl from the firm grip on my towel, and I fidget with the ring on my other hand.

“You cannot use yourself as fucking bait!” he spits, throwing the picture to the floor.

My brows furrow and I narrow my eyes. “Other women are going to die, Sage! I can prevent that.”

“I don’t care about them,” he snaps and steps into me. “I would sacrifice a hundred more if it meant you were safe.”

“When did you become so selfish?”

“The day I met you.”

I flinch, not expecting that answer. Shaking my head, I back away from him. “I told you earlier—you can’t protect me forever.” I tap my fingers over my heart. “I need this to be over.”

“I’m not going to bend on this. I refuse to put you in jeopardy.”

“I don’t need your permission if I have the Commissioner’s.”

He throws his hands to his head and looks up at the ceiling, his whole body vibrating with anger. The loud inhale he pulls through his chest shatters my confidence a little. He drops his hands and lowers his gaze to mine.

“I swear to God, Olivia. If you go rogue, I will never forgive you.”

I step around him, ready for this conversation to be over. He’s not going to change his mind, and neither am I.

He places a hand on my chest, halting my retreat. The bedroom door slams when he kicks it shut.

“You don’t get to leave until I’m finished with you.”

I cock a brow at him, daring him to continue.