Page 5 of Last Breath

Salem needs this as part of his regime. Death, destruction, and sex, otherwise like an obligation, Salem will repeat the first two steps until the third is done.

Pushing on his shoulders, bringing him to his knees, he looks up at me from the ground with lust clouding his eyes. With blood coating his body and a girl free of a monster, I see how messy and beautiful this moment is.

Pressing his hands into my thighs, leaving dark red handprints, his mouth envelopes me. Tossing my head back, I force myself to stand still. Though the way he’s pulling my orgasm free, it’s difficult. This is quick, needy, and greedy.

Twisting my hands in his hair, holding him in place, Salem allows me dominion over him. This is the only time. This is when he’s mine to control.

Looking down on him, seeing his head move back and forth, his mouth rubbing along the seam and down the shaft, I moan. After ten years together, we know what feels right. He has a talent that drags me to the edge, quick.

Even as he tries to hold me up, my legs soften from the sheer enjoyment. Shifting his hands upward, moving them to my ass, Salem holds me still. His mouth is tight against my skin. As my end nears, I lose all sense of control. My hips piston to meet his warm mouth and I release on a sigh.

Accepting every bit of it, slowly moving back off me, Salem smirks. He’s content. Looking down at my cock, the mix of blood and smeared sweat makes me a mess. A sated one, but a mess nonetheless.

“We have places to be. Let’s get her home,” Salem states as he stands up. His mask of indifference is back in place.

Shit.

This could be a bloody ride.

Chapter 4

Malachi

This is a bit too close to home for my liking.

Sixty miles from here and we’d find ourselves on my parents’ doorstep. Running away like I did all those years ago, they’d probably assumed I was like our travel companion—stolen. I’m sure if I looked in the local convenience store or barber shop, I’d find a ‘have you seen this child’ poster with my face gracing the cover.

Looking in the rearview mirror, seeing my reflection, I don’t recognize the man that stares back. I’m not the same Malachi that left that day. Touching the poorly stitched skin, the edgy scar tissue, I see the man I am now, not who I was. And if I don’t recognize me, then they won’t either.

Peering at Salem, the same unease is noticeable in him too. His back is ramrod straight, his eyes tight as he chews on the edge of his lip to distract himself.

“You sure this is it, Lucy?” Coming into town, she’d asked us to pull off to a side street. We’re across from the police station.

“Yeah, I’m good here.” Popping the front door, Lucy pauses. “I won’t tell anyone it was you, I swear. I won’t let on I know anything at all.”

“Just look after yourself, Lucy. Don’t worry about us.” Smiling and tapping her hand, she grins back.

“I won’t forget you at all.” Stepping out and closing the door behind her, she takes a deep breath before walking toward the cop shop. Watching her cross the street, Lucy turns back to look at us before opening the door.

“Let’s get clear of here,” I say, popping the car in reverse and backing down the alley.

As I pull out onto the side dirt road, Salem asks, “Where to now?”

“No idea, Sal. No idea.” It’s getting dark, I’m tired, and we look like shit. We could use a good place for the night. “Let’s head west. I need sleep.”

Chapter 5

Malachi

We drive along the dirt paths that take us away from Lucy, away from the little town and toward a past we both wish to forget. I want nothing more than to drive straight toward the Canadian border. Anywhere to avoid the whole state of Illinois.

We’d been driving for over an hour when Salem passed out. With no one to chat with, I’m beginning to feel the effects of staying up all night. Doling out punishment to that awful excuse for a human is taking its toll.

I tap Salem on the shoulder. “Sal, I’m exhausted. We need to stop.” I feel bad trying to rouse him, but if he doesn’t stay awake and keep me up, we’ll find ourselves upside down in a ditch.

Yawning, he reaches forward and drums his hands on the dash. “Sorry. I was having a hard time keeping my eyes open.”

“Yeah, me too.” My lids are heavy, my breathing slow enough that I yawn more than breathe. My body is screaming at me to sleep.

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