Page 88 of Into Temptation

Sections of the roof are missing, allowing the moonlight to be my beacon as I search the dilapidated manor for Cami. I use caution when I climb the staircase as the floor is unstable. This place is barely standing. I need to find her and get her to safety.

I turn the corner, and a long hallway awaits me.

This place would have been the envy of many back in the day, but now, it’s just a sad reminder of what once was.

Strips of gold-flowered wallpaper curl from the walls, and the soggy carpet squelches with each step I take. I poke my head around each of the doorjambs—which no longer have any doors attached—as I approach the many rooms, but Babydoll is nowhere to be found.

I reach the last room on the left, and when I look into it, I sigh in relief. Babydoll is standing out on the balcony. With an unhurried pace, I walk into the bedroom, not wanting to frighten her as the balcony looks far from stable.

She knows I’m here as my footsteps announce my arrival, but she won’t turn around.

“Baby,” I quietly say. “Are ya all right?”

I know it’s a stupid question, considering the circumstances, but I need her to tell me what’s wrong.

She remains perfectly still, the moonlight catching the jewels on her dress. I’ve never seen her so…quiet. It worries me.

The balcony floor has holes, and when I step onto the concrete, the sound of crumbling pieces bounces off the ground below us. I stand beside her, ensuring to leave some space between us because I don’t want to crowd her.

She continues staring off into the distance, her hands gripping the railing.

“I’m sorry ya had to see what ya did.” I wasn’t thinking about anyone when I slit Brody’s throat. All I cared about was the vengeance coursing through my veins.

But I’ve clearly scarred Babydoll as she won’t even look at me.

“I should have thought of ye, and how it would affect ya. I should have killed him quicker and not taken pleasure in seein’ him suffer.”

I enjoyed torturing him, which allowed Babydoll to see my true colors. Is she disgusted by what she saw? I don’t know what she’s thinking, and it’s driving me crazy. If she can’t forgive me, then all of this will have been for nothing.

“Cami…talk to me,” I beg, uncaring she can hear the desperation in my plea.

The night is cool, and a shiver rocks her quivering frame. I go to take off my jacket, but realize two things—one, I left my jacket at the crypt, and two, I’m slathered in her father’s blood.

I go to turn, embarrassed to be here, pleading for mercy when I didn’t show that to her dad, but she gently grips my elbow to stop me. I look at her, confused to what’s going on.

The tears in her eyes shine under the moonlight as she whispers, “Thank you.”

“Thank you?” I question, taken aback. “What are ya thankin’ me for?”

“No one has ever put me first, and that’s all you’ve done. Time and time again. What happened with Hugh—” She takes a deep breath before continuing. “He humiliated me and did things I…I’m ashamed I didn’t do more.”

A tear trickles down her cheek.

I want to wipe it away, but I don’t know if she’ll withdraw from me.

“I couldn’t breathe,” she explains. “I needed to get out of that car. I’m embarrassed you know what he did. I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t want me—”

“Stop that,” I gently interrupt. “None of this is yer fault. You were doin’ what ya had to, to survive.”

“I’m pathetic. Nothing but a victim when I should have done more.” She slams her fist onto the railing, biting her lip in anger.

But I won’t stand back and allow her to blame herself.

With a hesitant touch, I place my hand over her fist, stopping her from hurting herself further. “I don’t see a victim,” I state. “I see a survivor. That’s all y’ve done, Baby. Y’ve just tried to survive.”

More tears fill her eyes as we stand together, broken and wounded under this star-filled sky.

She focuses her attention on our hands and then looks at my shirt. She only just realizes I’m covered in Brody’s blood. I’m at her mercy because whatever she wants, I will obey her without a fight.

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