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“Chad, no. Please,” I whimper as tears spill down my face.

This is why I have rules. This is why I stick to my safety protocols. So nobody gets hurt. Now I’ll never see my animals again. Or see my friends. But worse, Auggie is now in danger, and it’s all my fault. Why didn’t I follow my rules?

Because I fell in love. Because I finally found a place that felt like home.

I had a glimpse of what my life could have been, only to have it ripped away.

Sadness and fear war for dominance as I watch Chad pace before me.

“Please don’t hurt him,” I beg. “I’ll do whatever you want, just don’t hurt Auggie.”

Disgust sweeps across Chad’s face. “Do you care about that monster?”

“He’s not a monster! You’re the only monster here!”

“Unfaithful, ungrateful bitch!” he screams.

I watch as he balls his fist, clenching it tightly before releasing it as he steps in front of me again.

“Always testing me, aren’t you? You don’t have to do that anymore. You’ll see. I’ll help you remember how good we are together,” he says, stroking my cheek tenderly.

I jerk my head away and vomit a second time.

Chad tuts and grabs the washcloth once again. “Silly girl, you’re making a terrible mess. Let’s get you cleaned up and ready to head to the courthouse to pick up our marriage license. We have to look our best when we get to the chapel,” he says brightly.

My thoughts go to Auggie as Chad wipes my face. As much as I’d love for him to be my knight and rescue me, I pray he doesn’t try. Chad will kill him, and I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to him.

Chapter 20

I Object

AUGUSTUS

Come on, come on, come on.

It’s been two hours since we left Cordelya’s apartment, tracking her through security camera footage through three neighboring towns. Officer Burrows had been calling every fifteen minutes with updates for our caravan, which now included two police cars.

Where are you, Moonlight?

I rub at the ache in my chest as my thoughts continue their downward spiral. The last update Officer Burrows had given us was not good. Chad had exited the main road into an area with few cameras.

In other words, we’d lost them.

Now my mind was conjuring worst-case scenarios. What if the police couldn’t find them again on camera? What if he drugged her, and she’s not waking up? Or she’s got a concussion from her head slamming against the car window? They could have gotten into an accident because he’s driving like a fucking idiot, and she could be seriously injured.

“Take a breath, Count.”

Eric's steady voice pulls me back from the spiral.

I take a deep breath, trying to beat back all the horrible could haves or might haves. My hands shake violently, adrenaline and fear pumping through my system in equal measure.

I can’t lose her.

“You won’t. We’re going to find her.” Eric says confidently.

I hadn’t meant to speak the words out loud.

“If they can’t find the car on camera…”