Page 128 of Wildest Dreams

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

DIXIE

Walking into the restroom, nerves prickle at the base of my neck.

I'm nervous to see Tripp.

But I know I need to make this right.

Need to fix what I have broken. Again.

Washing my hands, I look at myself in the mirror and give a haunted smile back to myself.

I miss him.

I needed him.

I didn’t know how to breathe without him.

And now I know the threat is gone, I can be with him wholeheartedly.

They would never let anyone hurt me.

Like Riggs said, I couldn't protect them. But this is the problem with being left the way I was. My mom died. I did everything to protect my sister Lainey, but I failed. I did everything to protect myself and only ended up being hurt.

Splashing my face with cool water, I was hoping it would make me feel a little fresher. I had been slowly dying inside, I was miserable, and it was because I was away from the ones who have loved me like a family should have. Because I was awayfrom the only man I have ever loved, the only man who has showed me whatloveshould feel like.

Grabbing a paper towel, I pat it against my skin before discarding it.

“Time to be a big girl, Dixie,” I whisper to my reflection before giving myself a smile.

It was time to take back control on my life.

Walking towards the door, my fingers wrap around the handle as I tug it open and as I do, I bump into a body.

Head tilting back, my brows pinch when I see Sheriff Kelcie standing there.

“Kelcie?” worry pricks at my skin, and I find myself stepping back.

“Hello Dixie,” a smirk pulls at the corner of his mouth. He steps towards me, cornering me. “Lucian wanted me to give you this, a final goodbye I think he called it,” he scoffs a laugh as he hands me a piece of paper.

With trembling fingers, I take it from his grasp and unfold it.

I'm putting an end to your running, Dixie. It's over. I'll see you in hell.

- Lucian

Swallowing the thickness, I feel bile swirl in my stomach, and I shake my head from side to side as I try and decipher the cryptic message.

“What does this mean?” I ask and Kelcie just shrugs his shoulders.

“I hope you kissed your beautiful daughter goodbye,” and with that, he turns and walks out of the restroom.

I give myself a moment, chest rising and falling as I reread the note.See you in hell?

Slipping it into the back of my jeans, I tug on the handle of the restroom, but it won't open.

“Kelcie!” I shout, banging on the door.

---