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“I picked up Jeff on the way. He drove it here for me.” Mike exchanges a look with me. “I know you have things to do, so I won’t stay long. How about the three of us meet for breakfast tomorrow? My treat.”
Mackenzie slips her arm around my waist. “That sounds amazing.”
“Name the time and place and we’ll be there.”
“I thought my vehicle was the surprise. Where are we going?” Mackenzie looks over at me from the passenger seat, a quizzical expression on her face.
“You’ll see.” I wink as she scowls, lifting our joined hands and kissing her knuckles. Then I rest it back on her leg as I steer with one hand. “You know I’m proud of you for no longer having panic attacks in the car.”
“Being held captive replaced my fear of car accidents.” A shiver runs through her. “I had the worst nightmare last night.”
“About what we endured?”
“Yes, but it was worse. It was the first ritual and while Orpheus was…” She swallows hard, squeezing my hand for strength before continuing. “While he was raping me and you were being whipped, he had them cut you down and then immediately raped you.” Her voice grows so faint as she says the last couple of words, I have to strain my ears to hear them.
She turns away, blowing out a breath. I grit my teeth, the pain rolling through me. Being assaulted by him was the worst experience of my life.
“After he was finished with you, he ran his hands over your bloody back and stroked himself so that his dick was all bloody. The cult restrained you while he flipped me over, then they bound our hands together. They had us bent over the altar, our hands joined in the center. Then Orpheus assaulted me the same way he did you. As I sobbed, he said, ‘Your virgin blood was the lubricant I used on him. Now, his blood is the lubricant I’m using on you. The three of us are bound together forever. I will find and haunt you. No matter how far you run, the three of us will always be bound in darkness together.’ I woke up screaming, hugging your pillow.”
“Oh, angel. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there.”
She squeezes my hand. “Not your fault. I just… was that a sign he’ll always haunt us?”
I stare out the windshield, my knuckles gripping the steering wheel so hard they’re white. Blowing out a breath, the confession finally slips free. “All my nightmares are about him raping you… And me. That incident…” Shifting in the driver’s seat, my emotions churn wildly. “It was so humiliating. My mind shut down, and my body froze. I heard a voice telling me to fight, but I couldn’t move.” I blow out a breath, clinging to her hand. “It was so fucking painful. It felt like a knife inside me. The burn as he pushed in and out of me…” I turn my head, daring to meet her gaze. Sympathy shines in her eyes, her face twisted in pain.
“I know you understand the powerlessness I felt. When Rosario intervened and he slipped out of me when she cut his throat, the rage I felt toward him when I looked over my shoulder was so intense. I don’t regret killing him. Not after all the shit he did to us.” Anger rolls through my veins, and my skin grows hotter. “The lacerations and tears, the bruising, while it wasn’t serious, it added insult to injury.”
“I was glad he didn’t do more damage. I’m so grateful Rosario stopped him.”
Squeezing her hand, I say, “Me too. The loss of your dignity is a hard pill to swallow.”
Meeting her gaze, Mackenzie nods. “I know.”
Our eyes lock and hold, silently communicating the things we don’t know how to say.
“It’s ironic you mentioned your nightmare. I didn’t get much sleep in the holding cell but when I dozed off, I had a nightmare about Orpheus.” My mouth is dry, the trauma rising inside, aching to take me over. “I dreamt about the rape, only this time, he raped you, too.”
Mackenzie squeezes my hand. Her voice is soft when she speaks. “I’m sorry, Chase. I hate that you had a nightmare.”
“Me too. I hate your nightmares even more than mine.” My smile is gentle before I look back at the road. “To answer your question, he won’t always haunt us. Since we escaped, I’ve noticed the difference in both of us. The first month was awful, but it’s getting better. We’ll keep progressing, Kenz. Mike told me he’s still going to pay for counseling for both of us when I was texting him earlier while you were in the shower.” My eyes leave the road, meeting hers. “Most importantly, we have each other.”
A genuine smile curls up her glossy lips. “Yes, we do. Always.”
82
MACKENZIE
Placing the last ornament on the tree, I step back, admiring it. Chase’s eyes bore into my profile, studying me.
Excitement fills me as my gaze moves around the festively decorated basement. Stepping into his embrace, his strong arms wrap around me, his expression mirroring mine.I’m so damn lucky.“I love it. That was an amazing surprise.”
He grins. “I know how much you love decorating for Christmas, Kenz.”
“How did you afford this? And you gave me money so I could sneak off and buy you some presents.”
“Jeff’s parents and your dad gave me some money. I felt guilty taking it, but they insisted. I’m glad I did. The smile on your face is priceless.”
“While I love this surprise, you know you didn’t have to do all this. The only thing I want for Christmas is you.”
