Page 60 of Hide Me Darling

PSYCHO MASKED STALKERS

Is that right?

YES

PSYCHO MASKED STALKERS

We don’t want to control you, little shadow.

That doesn’t mean we can’t do something about the other men who see what’s ours and think they have a chance of taking it from us.

My jaw tightens, irritation and apprehension mixing in equal measure.

You’re being ridiculous.

PSYCHO MASKED STALKERS

Try us. We will always be watching.

Anger and defiance surge within me as I read their last message. I refuse to be intimidated. My fingers fly over the keyboard.

Fine, you want to watch me? Then watch this.

I hit send, a sense of rebellious determination coursing through me. I won't let them dictate my actions or my choices. They can watch all they want, but they won't control me.

Storming toward the bedroom, I strip out of the dress and my underwear, digging through my clothes for something that would make a statement. My fingers brush over the smooth fabric of my bikini, pulling it out of my bag, and then I find it—the sheer overdress with delicate embroidered flowers. It's completely see-through, every cut and mark on my skin will be visible, but at that moment I don’t care.

They want their marks on display, then they will be on display.

Chapter 29

Hydessa

Iprobably shouldn’t have let my temper get the better of me. I have worked so hard to never give into impulsiveness. I have a feeling if I did, then that part of me I keep locked deep inside would seek justice in the most brutal ways.

I couldn't help it though. These men keep getting to me, pushing me. I think it’s time I pushed back a little more.

After checking the time, I decided to take some advice from Maddie and take a walk to the lighthouse to take some photographs at sunset. The fact that I would have to stroll through the entire beachfront area to get there was just a bonus.

Those psycho masked men can kiss my almost completely bare ass. Oh but wait, that would require them to remove their masks, which the assholes won’t do.

Since I don’t have my professional camera with me, I decide I’ll improvise using my phone camera instead. Making my way to the beach and then toward the tall impressive building on the distant bluff, the fading sunlight casts a mesmerizing array of colors across the sky, painting it with hues of pink, orange, and purple. Despite my earlier frustrations, a sense of satisfaction washes over me as I weave through the bustling crowd of tourists and locals.

The idea of Cain and Abel watching me among the crowd in my minimal attire brings a defiant smirk to my face. Several heads turn in my direction, their gazes lingering as I smile politely.

Reaching the end of the beach, I turn towards the path leading to the lighthouse. The air is filled with the salty tang of the sea, making me lick my lips for a taste of it. The sound of waves crashing becomes a soothing backdrop to my thoughts.

The silhouette of the tall red striped building grows more distinct against the colorful sky. I pause for a moment to admire the view, the vibrant hues of the sunset painting the scene in a surreal beauty. Pulling out my phone, I switch to the camera mode and begin capturing the scene before me.

Each click of the shutter captures a different aspect of the lighthouse and its surroundings: the stark contrast between the darkening sky and the illuminated structure, the play of light and shadow on the rugged terrain, and the distant horizon where the sun dips below the edge of the world.

As the sun sinks lower, casting a final blaze of color across the sky, I capture one last photograph. Satisfied with my efforts, I take a moment to simply absorb the beauty of the moment before turning to head back.

Deciding to walk back on the beach I take the path down the side of the cliff the lighthouse sits on. The walk back feels different now, my thoughts quieter. Maybe I needed that moment after all.

This area is quiet and nearly empty, too far away from the main street for tourists to bother with. There are a few jagged outcrops of rocks and hills, and the whole area is beautiful.

I can see rocks sticking up from the sea close to the cliff. I pause for a moment, taking a seat on the sand to watch the first stars come out. The sky turns from a deep blue to dark navy before all color disappears.

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