Page 98 of Make Them Cry
Regent.
Andrew and Helena.
We still don’t know who the real monster is.
But I know one thing for sure.
I’d burn the whole damn system to the ground if it meant keeping River safe.
And I won’t hesitate to do it.
Even if it means losing everything else.
THIRTY-THREE
RIVER
I wake before the sun.
At first, it’s the warmth that stirs me. The kind that sinks into bones and makes everything feel less haunted. Then, it’s the weight of a strong arm around my waist and the slow, steady rise and fall of Gage’s chest against my back.
I smile.
It’s the kind of smile I haven’t worn in years—one born of safety, not performance. No filters. No armor. Just... me. And him.
His arm tightens.
“You awake?” he murmurs, voice thick with sleep and something else that curls heat low in my belly.
“Yeah,” I whisper, turning in his arms to face him.
His eyes are still half-lidded, dark lashes sweeping across flushed cheeks. He looks younger like this. Softer. But his hand on my hip says otherwise—it’s possessive and sure, anchoring me to him like he’s not willing to let go. Ever.
We just stare at each other for a moment. No words. No rush. Just that silent, heady ache of knowing we’ve passed the point of no return and neither of us regrets it.
“I want to ask you something,” he says, finally, brushing his thumb across my jaw.
“Okay,” I breathe.
“Will you be mine, River?” His voice is low, serious. “Not just while we’re dealing with all this Cathedral crap. I mean when this is over. When you're free. I want to still be next to you.”
My chest expands with a slow, sharp inhale. I don’t even hesitate.
“I already am,” I whisper. “I think I’ve been yours for a while.”
He lets out a shaky exhale and pulls me into him, burying his face in the crook of my neck. And we lie there, tangled together like threads in a stitch that can’t be undone.
But we both know the moment can’t last forever.
Eventually, he pushes the covers off and climbs out of bed, and I follow. We shower, get dressed, and start making breakfast like we’re any normal couple.
But we’re not normal. Not even close.
Because I’m still being stalked. Because we don’t know who Regent is. And because somewhere—hidden beneath my normal life—is the reason all of this started.
We sit on the couch with coffee and the remains of toast and peanut butter, and I bring it up.
“So… this party Friday.”
