Page 53 of Savage Scream

Breaking the Silence has a double meaning. Not only is it breaking the silence and divulging the dirty secrets of the scum here in Australia, but when she does this podcast, she is using her voice. It’s probably the only time she uses her voice.

BreakingherSilence.

Shit. And Hush?

How the fuck didn’t I pick up on that sooner?

Dee dashes into her room, quietly closing the door, and I stand, happy that my mates are too enthralled in the podcast to worry about asking where I’m going.

I don’t even bother knocking on Dee’s door, opening it quietly and slipping inside.

She’s standing with her back to me, looking out the window of her small bedroom, and I have no doubt she can see my reflection as I stand behind her.

“Hush,” I whisper. “Not just your assassin name, but your podcast name, too.”

She doesn’t say anything. Not that I expected her to. She tries to control the narrative by remaining silent. Unfortunately for her, I know her game, and I’m not going to give up just because she feels like ignoring me.

“You’re like a modern-day vigilante. Always looking out for other people and making sure they know someone cares. You help them get revenge and closure.” I step up closer, gripping Dee’s shoulders, and slowly turn her to face me.

Her eyes betray her worry, so I cup her cheek and run my thumb over her lips, hoping she feels how much I care about her.

“You do all of this for other people. No one pays you to do the podcast, do they?” She doesn’t respond, but that’s ok. I already know that’s what’s happening here. “But you do it anyway, because you care. You care about getting justice for other people. Mainly younger women and those underage. People who don’t have the power to speak out.”

This time I bring my other hand up to cup her face, making sure she has nowhere else to look but at me.

“You’re amazing.”

She shakes her head in my hold and tries to step away, but I latch onto her shoulders, not letting her escape.

“Yes, you are, Elodie.”

She stops struggling when I say her real name, almost as if she likes hearing it fall from my lips.

“How many more secrets do you have?”

Her face falls and her breathing quickens, all signs that she sure as shit has more secrets.

“How many?”

Biting her lower lip, Dee raises her hand and lifts her pointer finger.

“One?” I ask, and she nods. “Will you share it with me?”

Her shoulders shrink as she tries to close herself off, but I don’t let go of her. I’ll never let go of her, even when she leaves. This beautiful creature right here will forever own my soul.

“How about we trade? I’ll tell you something. Anything you want, and in return, you tell me your one last secret.”

Dee frowns as she considers this before giving me a nod.

Shit.

I don’t really have any more secrets to share with her. But maybe there is something she wants to learn about me.

“What do you want to know?” I ask, and she shoots me a small smile, stepping away from my now loose grip before taking a seat on her bed.

I follow, needing to be close to her, touching her every fucking second.

Taking her phone out, Dee puts her words in text and then turns the screen to me.

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