Page 24 of The Inkslinger

“I can’t leave her alone. What if he hurts her?” I can hear the anger and determination in every word.

“Call Alistair or Adam. I’ll call Samuel. Don’t do anything stupid.”

“Okay.”

The line goes dead, and I pull up my old school friend’s number.

“Hey, Laine. What can I do for you?” Samuel, the local sheriff, answers after the second ring.

“Derick is in my house. Alone with Hailey.” I say quickly. “Damien is there, and I am on my way, but I need you to get there too. This ends tonight.”

“On my way.”

I put my foot on the pedal and my truck roars down the street. I need to get there as fast as possible, but I also need to not wreck my truck or run over someone. Scary thoughts run through my mind, all the ways he can hurt her before I can get there.

Fear like I have never known in my entire life engulfs me, and for the first time in my existence, I pray.

Chapter Thirteen

Is This The End?

Hailey

Making my way into the main bathroom I open the faucet to fill the pristine white tub before heading back to our room. I grab one of Laine’s old band-themed t-shirts I have stolen to sleep in and some lacy black underwear before heading back.

It’s only once I see Derick standing in the hallway that I realize the water has been shut off. My veins feel like they have been filled with an ice slurry as fear makes its way through my entire being.

“Derick,” I say softly, frozen to the spot as he glares at me, something dark and unhinged in his gaze.

“It wasn’t enough to fuck him?” he asks. “You’re living with him now?”

“You shouldn’t be here,” I say weakly. “I have a restraining order.”

“You think a piece of paper could keep me from the love of my life?” He chuckles darkly. “I know I fucked up, but you’ve gotten your revenge. We can go home now. We can be happy again.”

“Are you fucking crazy?” I ask, the words slipping from my lips before I can think better of them.

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