Page 9 of Crush (Deadly Hearts 1)

“Because you are stronger than you think you are. You are hiding from your feelings and that’s why you come here.”

“You don’t know me!” I shriek at him. “You have absolutely no idea who I am or what I’ve done.”

“I know more than you think, Ruby,” he says, stopping me cold.

“How do you know my name?” I whisper, the dread and fear bubbling up inside me.

“I know you, Ruby,” he says again. “Let me give you the love you deserve.”

I don’t move. I can’t.

He lets go of the door and steps back. “If I’m wrong about what you want, then you are free to leave.”

I hesitate and then I turn towards him. “Who are you?”

“Am I wrong?”

I shake my head slowly.

“Come, Princess. There will be no punishment today.”

“Daddy,” I cry, falling into his open arms.

We have landed back in familiar territory and the fact that he knows who I am, or at the very least he knows my name, doesn’t matter anymore. Not while I’m in here. I’m safe.

He leads me to the bed and settles me in the middle, climbing onto it to hold me close for a few minutes before he lays me flat on my back and looms over me.

As quick as lightning, he pulls the two knives out of their holsters and lays them down.

I try to sit up, but he pushes me back. “You don’t need them here, Princess. You are safe.”

The rational side of me is screaming at me to run away from this stalker and never look back.

But the little girl inside me needs the comfort he is giving me.

The little girl wins.

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