Page 5 of Madness & Mayhem

He’s gone.

I stabbed him.

He might be dead.

I love him.

I hate him for what he’s done.

Reign is him.

My masked man.

A sob breaks free, and both Kyler and Archer step up to me, their arms wrapping around me as they hold me closely.

“What the fuck did you do, Lakyn?” Archer groans, his voice thick with emotion.

I shake my head against his chest. Leaning back, I can barely stand to look him in the eyes. “Reign is gone,” I whisper quietly.

Archer freezes against me, his fingers tightening slowly before peeling away from me, finger by finger.

He leans back, staring at me blankly, as if everyone is coming to realization, bit by bit.

I can feel the dread soak me like a downpour, chilling me until goosebumps break across my flesh.

This is the moment.

The moment of truth, and I’m not ready for it.

Slowly, Archer’s eyes narrow, until he’s glaring at me with hatred.

He straightens, taking a step back until his spine hits the door. He looks angry, hateful as he glares at me. Taking a deep, shaky breath, he exhales, though his body never loosens.

He’ssoangry.

“Reign is the fucking slasher, isn’t he?” Archer’s voice islethal.

I lick at my lips, not ready to admit the truth, but knowing I can’t lie anymore.

“He killed those people? He killed your fucking father, and you didn’t say anything?” he roars.

My eyes widen. “I didn’t know! I didn’t—” A sob works its way through my chest. “I had no idea,” I whisper. “Not until tonight…” My voice breaks off at the end, withering away in my chest. A match that loses its flame.

“Fucking son of a bitch!” Kyler roars as his hand slaps the wall right next to my face. I flinch, tears and snot rolling down my face as my body trembles with a sob.

Archer steps up to me, a growl ripping between his teeth as he grips my hair. He pulls me off the counter. I can feel the threads of my hair pop from my scalp, and I let out a yelp as I grab his arm for leverage, stumbling after him.

“Archer,” I cry out.

He growls, slamming me against the door. His fingers span across my neck, his jaw clenching as he rolls his knuckles down my body. I shiver as they slide past my ribs, into the dip of my waist, and around my hips. He stops at the hem of my dress, shoving it up slightly, revealing my multiple cuts and the blood stains on my thighs.

His eyes lift to mine, burning fiercely into me. My palms lay flush against the wooden door. “I’m sorry, Archer,” I croak.

His upper lip curls, showing vicious, sharp teeth. “I don’t even know who the fuck you are anymore, Lakyn.”

Kyler nods, and it feels like an agreement.

I’ve broken it. I’ve broken everything to them.

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