Page 21 of Colton
Because she fucking matters. That’s why.
Oh, so you’re falling for her. The fucking maid?The voice is bored, but still relentless.
My mind races until I recall the library—a place I once used to escape the chaos that was my home. I remember Mary’s earlier admiration for the books, the way her eyes sparkled as she traced the spines with her fingers. If I can get her back there, it may buy us both some time.
“Mary!” I hiss softly, praying she can hear me.
Her head whips around, and I see the flicker of recognition. “Colton?” she responds, her voice threading through the air, tinged with suspicion.
She’s got no reason to trust you, monster,the voice laughs manically.
I have to try.
“Go back to the library!” I urge, lowering my voice. “There’s something you’ll want to see.”
Her finger hesitates above the book she clutches. A flicker of doubt washes over her features, but curiosity quickly dances in her eyes. “What is it?” she calls back, her innocent interest disarming me further. “I’ve just been to the library.”
I notice her hand trembling, but I can’t focus on that right now. I swallow the lump in my throat, knowing that I need to sell this lie. Her life depends on it. “It’s something I think you’ll love—and I need your help with it. Trust me,” I plead, desperate to pull her farther away from danger.
She hesitates, her expression torn between intrigue and fear. “Are you sure?”
You scare her, yet you think she’s safer with you?the voice huffs.
“Yes,” I respond to both her and my useless internal voice, my heart racing as I backpedal, gesturing towards the library. “Please, just come—before he gets back.”
The urgency in my voice appears to convince her. She steps back down toward me, suspicion still lining her features.
God, she’s so fucking pretty.
As she walks up to me, we begin to retrace her steps toward the library, and I can’t help but feel relieved, if only for a moment. Still, I can sense the darkness closing in behind us.
Maybe she needs a monster to save her from something far worse.
Chapter 10
Luella
Colton pulls me into the library, the heavy door thudding shut behind us. There’s an urgency in his movements that sets my heart racing, each breath thick with tension. “Mary,” he says, his voice a low murmur, “you need to see something.”
“What is it?” I demand, my grip tightening on the book I found. His intensity unnerves me, and I can’t shake the feeling that I should be as far away as possible from this monster. He must be one—I saw what he did in those photographs. Or more so, what he didn’t do. He watched and did nothing to help them.
He catches my eye, his expression serious. “Trust me,” he replies, inching closer as he gestures toward a towering bookshelf. My instincts urge me to back away, but I have no choice. He’s pointing to a different bookcase than the one I used earlier.
How many fucking passageways are there in this house?!
With a shaky breath, I nod. Whatever happens, I know I’m strong enough to fight him off or run.
He pushes against the shelf, revealing a hidden panel that slides open with a soft groan, and my heart races again.
Is this what he’s been hiding? He’s showing me a secret passageway; either he’s genuine, or he’s trying to kill me.
It’s a tight passageway, dimly lit and suffocatingly narrow. I can feel the heat radiating from him as he steps in beside me, closing the door behind us. His hand grips mine, and I jolt back, alarmed. He doesn’t let go, though, simply makes sure the door is closed behind us. Darkness blocks my vision, and all I can feel is his pulse throbbing with mine through our entwined fingers. I swallow hard.
“Colton, what’s going on?” I whisper, glancing back at the hidden entrance.
What if his father finds us?
His jaw tightens, and I watch a flicker of something dark flash across his face, something I can’t quite place. “My father plans to use you, Mary. You have to understand…” His voice trembles slightly, revealing a hint of vulnerability that surprises me.
