Page 126 of Moth to a Flame

“We can’t leave her alone.” I tug at his shirt.

“We aren’t doing that. She’ll be with your parents. Like we planned.” He turns to me, his hands curling around my neck. “Listen, I’m going to repeat this one last time. I’m not sorry he’s out. You won’t hear that from me. I’m going to make sure you’re locked up and safe at home. Where no one can get to you. No one’s allowed on our private beach strip, either. Remember that. That’s where you’ll be. Then, I’m going to get him.”

The guards he bribed at Brinestone are still very much on Landon’s payroll. Seeing how his phone is blowing up with messages, I’d say it’s them. They’re probably texting him that Lester was paroled and giving him his address. He wouldn’t have been let out of there without one.

My phone blows up too. I don’t look at it. I’ll call my parents on the way to Landon’s.

This. I have to deal with this first. We had this plan, but apparently, I’ve changed my mind. The reality of the situation has me questioning everything.

It’s the strangest feeling, like I can tell Lester is coming for me. He must have realized I was somehow responsible for his lost penis. Plus, I’m the one who got him in there in the first place. The only one who could identify him.

The only witness.

He wore a mask with the other ones. Had gloves on. I’m sure there were other girls he attacked from the things he said to me.

I like them younger.

No one else came forward. No other cases were linked to his DNA.

Me.

Only. Me.

It will take little to no digging for him to find out where I live. Where my parents live.

“What if he comes here? Or to my parents?” I put my hands on my hips. Landon’s glower would’ve put fear in anyone’s heart. Anyone that’s not me. “What if he’ll hurt them when he doesn’t find me in either place? He will. He will. He will.”

“Regan.” Landon’s roar grounds me.

Partly.

“I’m okay,” I lie, staying firm in place.

“Come.” He pulls me to him. “Regan, so help me, if you don’t start moving right this second…”

“We’re not changing plans. I’ll take Mojo with me to Mom and Dad’s.” The shuffling noises from behind me sound like Rosemary’s grabbing her purse from under the counter. And Mojo’s leash.

Poor thing must be confused. He yaps and barks, his nose pushing at the back of my leg. When Landon tugs on my arm again, he growls.

“It’s better this way. Remember the plan?” She’s at my side, no longer crying. Her hand is on my shoulder. “We can’t go together. Mom and Dad will lose their shit if we both go to your home. To a man’s home, one they’ve never heard of. They’ll think we’ve been kidnapped or something. They’ll never believe us if we say that over the phone.”

Rosemary nods as she speaks, reminding me of the reasons we have to split up.

“I have to go there. Dad told me that he’s already hired security to stand outside the building and their home. I’ll tell him you ran away to somewhere safe. We’ll be fine.”

Landon pulls me, and this time I let him. I’m tired and scared, allowing him to drag me outside the store and into the street.

Someone honks their car’s horn. A woman laughs, and a man joins her. The sounds are dulled like I’m standing in the middle of the ocean instead of a bustling street in Brooklyn.

“They’re ex-military.” Rosemary locks up, Mojo staying close and at her side. He won’t stop barking. “Dad gave them Lester’s photo and ordered them to shoot him on sight. Go home.” She cups my cheeks. Mojo’s leash digs into me. “You’ll be safe there. By this time tomorrow, it’ll all be over. You’ll be safe.”

On its own, my hand goes to my stomach. To the scar. To my tattoos.

My wife.

My property.

My good girl.

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