Page 128 of Moth to a Flame

I can’t bring myself to call my parents. They would hear the terror and confusion in my voice, would’ve seen through my brave act. Rosemary will convince them I’m all right, that I’m locked up somewhere safe. At an Airbnb in San Francisco where Lester will never get to me.

That sick feeling returns in full swing.

He’ll get to me. At the very least, he won’t stop searching. Putting him behind bars was bad enough. Taking his dick?

He’s coming for me.

Landon throws the car into park in the driveway. I’m too stunned to move.

That’s not a problem for a man like him. He storms out of the car, comes to my side, and pulls me out.

Over his shoulder I go, and I cling to him as he walks into our home. I need him more than I’ve ever needed anyone in my life.

My boots land on the den’s floor. Landon slides his hands up to my cheeks. “You said you trusted me.”

“I do.”

“Not so sure about that.” His grip is punishing. Bruising. Like he’s angry.

I’ve known him long enough to realize he’s not angry with me. It’s just who he is.

A deadly force.

“Please, there’s no time,” I whine, a tear rolling down my cheek. “He’s out there. I swear, I trust you. You have to leave. You have to get out there and kill him.”

His nostrils flare. “By the end of the day, he’ll be dead. I’ll make sure his last hours on this planet will be an endless nightmare. The demons in hell will pity him. That’s how badly he’s going to hurt. But I’m taking care of you first.”

“What if he gets to my family?”

Landon strips me out of my T-shirt.

“Landon?”

He tears the lace off the cups of my bra, exposing me to him.

“What’s going on? Tell me.”

“Foot up,” he demands from his place on the floor after dropping to his knees.

“You have to explain.”

“I have to be here for you.” My boots are off. Socks and leggings and panties are out of the way. He fishes the chastity belt’s key from his pocket, turns it in the lock, and frees me. “That’s what I have to do. You’re not okay.” He stands up, whipping his shirt off his muscular chest. “I won’t leave until you are, so save your breath.”

My pulse is deafening between my ears. I feel precious and his. So his.

I stare up at his unhinged glare, silently begging for answers. I get them through actions rather than words.

Landon flips me so I have my back to him, then bends me over the arm of one of the leather armchairs.

Not just any armchair. Oh, no. Oh,no. This isn’t a random chair that he’s chosen.

“Do you see it, Regan?” He has his hand in my hair, pulling on it. “The things I’ve done for you…”

I hear his zipper rolling while I’m being forced to look at the three jars we have on one of the shelves in the den. Two sets of eyeballs floating in ethyl alcohol. One toe.

Bile should be rising in my throat. At the very least, I should feel nauseous. Lightheaded.

Should.

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