Page 27 of For the Love of Layla

Smash!

All the sudden the alarm cuts off as my feet hit the bottom step, my eyes landing onhim.I move from the stairs walking a little way from where he stands panting heavily, a crowbar clutched tightly in his hands. My new shiny systems hub smashed to pieces on the ground. I flinch as he lifts the crowbar again, making the large hole in the wall even bigger.

Smash!

Smash!

Smash!

“Stop!” I cry, ending his assault on my drywall mid swing, his arms still lifted above his head exposing a sliver of toned abs. He turns, noticing me for the first time, his brown eyes glued to the gun I’m clutching. “I couldn’t see you. Why did you do that?”

Tears pool in my eyes as my heart thumps loudly in my chest, “You were spying on me.”

Where the fuck are the cops?

I jump as my cell phone rings, it’s the security company. Judging by the look in his eyes, he knows that too. If I don’t answer, they’ll send help if they aren’t already on their way. He steps backwards, his eyes still trained on me as he rips my phone from the charger on the kitchen counter beside him. I feel dumber than ever for forgetting it down here.

“Don’t do something we both might regret, Layla.”

With that not at all chilling statement he tosses my phone to me, I nearly drop the gun in my struggle to catch it.

I’m in control now, not you.

I shake my head no, letting the phone clatter to the hardwood. “They’ll be here soon, go.”

Something deep, akin to a growl slips through the mask as he rushes me, stopping in his tracks as I lift the gun, switching off the safety. I can see his smirk from underneath, it’s cold. So very fucking cold. “What are you going to do with that, huh?” He takes a step closer, “Nothing. You’re weak, too fucking weak to do shit.” His accent isn’t as heavy this time, I’ve heard his voice on repeat in my head every minute of every day since the very first time.

“Don’t ever fucking shut me out again! I swear I’ll fucking make you regret it, Layla. I’ll kill everyone you know, everyone! I’ll take you, this freedom you think you have, I can take it. Ineedyou.” He drops the crowbar, closing the distance quickly before jerking the gun from my shaking hands, his words slurring.

He’s drunk. Really drunk.

I gasp as my back hits the banister of the stairs his warm body pressed against mine. My nipples taunt underneath the light t-shirt I’m wearing, they brush against his chest as we both breathe heavily. I can hear the sirens in the distance, and my anxiety doubles, making my chest ache and palms sweat.

“Ineedyou.” He groans, pressing his masked forehead into mine, “Is this what you want?”

What?

My heart stills as he cocks the gun pressing the cold metal underneath my chin. The angle is awkward unnatural like it would hurt to hold it that way, “Please stop. I’m sorry.”

He laughs, but there’s no humor there, “No, you’re fucking not, but you will be. God, you will be.”

But I am. I really am.

I whimper as he presses the gun harder against my skin, “Please.”

“Shhh, don’t be scared, baby. I would never make you die alone. I’ll come with you. There’s no me without you, Layla Burke. There’s no you without me.”

Think. Think. God fuck think.

Tears slip down my cheeks as my shaking hands wrap around him, clutching him to me tightly. He exhales a shaky breath as his finger moves to the trigger.

Oh, my god.

“Do you love me?” He asks. All I can hear is the fast approaching sirens.

I don’t want to die and I don’t want him to die either.

“I don’t…I don’t know you.” I answer honestly. There’s something to him, something in his touch that feelsright.Comforting. Even now.

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