Page 63 of Fallen Petal

Chapter 31

J

Her face had turned from blushed to downright pale while I was upstairs to fetch the clothes I had prepared for her to wear tonight.

It was negligence on my side to not bring them downstairs right away, but my head has been so clustered these past few days that a detail as minor as this one had a good chance at slipping through. It shouldn’t matter. I trusted her to stay where I left her, not worrying for a moment that she might use the chance to escape, just when everything was about to end anyway.

Of course, she doesn’t know about that last part. I didn’t want her to.

I knew I had to take action after talking to Christopher at the police station a few days ago, so I did. I knew we’d have to deal with the police sooner or later, but I didn’t expect for things to go down this route.

I had to adapt and act quickly.

And I was forced to step up my game even more when Malia left the house. Things moved so fast, too fast, for me and for Petal.

And I hope to God that it will all work out in the end. A lot of things have to fall into place from now on, to make sure that Petal is safe and I save my own neck.

We both startle at the loud hammering at the front door. She already looked unhinged when I first came back to the room, insisting on asking about Malia instead of following my instructions. But now, she looks outright terrified.

“Who is that?”

Her voice is trembling, as are her lips.

“Get dressed,” I hiss at her. “Now.”

She hesitates for a moment, before apparently deciding that no matter what, it’s better for her to face the intruder while being fully dressed instead of being seen as a naked sex slave by anyone but me.

I make it easier for her by removing the leash from her collar, staying close while she hurries to slip in the clothes I brought, while the violent knocking continues. A muffled voice has joined the hammering sound, but the door is too thick to reveal what exactly is being said as the person continues to work the door with his fists.

I don’t need to hear the words to know who is attacking my door like this. I knew he would come, but I’m still surprised at the hurry with which everything is happening.

I don’t give her any time to ponder once she’s dressed, ignoring her quizzical face as I grab her wrist and drag her with me toward the door.

“Who is that?” she presses, fidgeting but not giving me an actual fight as I force her to follow me.

“Jayson, please, talk to me! Who is that at the door? What’s going o—”

“Police!” the voice roars from the outside, and I cast her a quick glance over the shoulder.

“There’s your answer,” I say, coming to a halt in front of the door and turning to her. We only have seconds, but I need to make sure to use them wisely.

“Listen to me, Petal,” I hiss. “You’ll be okay. You have to trust me on this. We’re about to—”

“Open the fucking door right now!”

She jerks, casting a worried look to the door that is shaking in its hinges.

I wanted more time to assure her, more time to prepare both of us for what is about to happen, but it doesn’t look like we’ll be granted that time. And I sure as hell don’t want to give them a reason to break my door in and take control out of my hands entirely.

So, I open it for them.

It’s not a conscious motion, but I’m holding Petal’s hand as the door swings open before us, revealing the rude intruder and his entourage.

Christopher builds himself up like a fucking bulldozer, only hesitating for a split second before he barges inside, pushing me to the side and heading toward Petal. Our hands are separated as she backs off, raising her hands in defense as he marches to her. “Liliane!” he exclaims, grabbing her by the shoulders to keep her in place while she stares up at him through wide and horrified eyes.

“Detain him!” he yells at the other two policemen, not taking his eyes off of her for a split second, while the other two guys, both not much older than him, but a lot smaller in stature, approach me, one grabbing my arms and crossing them behind my back while the other fastens a set of handcuffs around my wrists.

Petal’s eyes dart back and forth between Christopher and me, an expression of desperate confusion painted all across her face.

---