Page 147 of Meowy & Bright

It’s Carlton. He’s opening a door, then heading down some stairs. Once he’s gone, I open the window and pull myself into the small kitchen. Sweets are everywhere, everything decorated in green and red sprinkles. The entire place looks like Santa threw up in it. If I didn’t already know Carlton was a nut job, I’d know for sure right now.

I creep to the door and open it. It swings on silent hinges as I hear Carlton’s voice.

“Let’s try to have a nice evening. No more talk of that person. It’s just you and me from here on out. Everything will be perfect.” He sighs. “Now get on the bed.”

“Carlton, please. If you could undo my hands, I could–”

“I said get on the bed!” His anger is instant. “You’re a slut, Liza, and I know how to treat sluts. Get on the bed and spread your legs.”

That’s it. That’s all I have to hear for my vision to go full-on fucking red as I storm down the stairs and into the room at the bottom.

Carlton whirls, the tray in his hands falling as Liza cowers back into a corner.

“What are you do–”

I raise my gun and pull the trigger.

Carlton falls, his body collapsing at my feet. I step over him and rush to Liza.

She’s shaking violently as I pick her up, step back over the body, then run her up the stairs and out into the snowy evening.

“Are you hurt?” I put her down and grab the duct tape around her wrists, ripping it free.

She throws her arms around me. I hold her tightly as she sobs, her body still shaking.

“You’re safe now. You’re safe, Liza. I promise.” I scoop her into my arms and carry her away from the cabin. “Please, babe, tell me if you’re hurt. I need to know so I can help you.”

“I’m not.” She sobs. “H-he was going t-to…”

“Shh. I know.” I kiss her forehead and ease her into the passenger seat. “He’ll never touch you again.”

She looks up at me, her cheeks wet. “You shot him. H-he said you were a criminal. H-he said you weren’t–”

“I’ll tell you everything, Liza. Every last detail. But first, I need to get you out of here. All right?” I snap her seatbelt into place.

She nods as I wipe her cheeks.

“Stay here for just a second.”

“Where are you going?” Her voice rises with fear.

I kiss her forehead. “I need to do one thing. That’s it. I’ll be right back. Can you stay here?”

She looks like she wants to say no, but she gives me a small nod.

“Good girl.” I kiss her forehead again.

I return to the cabin and make quick work of setting the entire hellhole on fire. By the time I get back to the car, it’s already smoking heavily from the kitchen window.

I get into the car and head back down the road to the highway. Once we’re away from the ridge, I pull to the side and turn to her, cupping her face in my hands. “I love you, Liza. I will always come for you, always protect you. I need you to know that. No matter what my name is, no matter my past. You’re my future, if you’ll have me. Do you understand?”

She nods, more tears falling.

“Good girl.” I kiss her gently. “Let’s get you back to town.”

I hold her hand the entire way, the same way she holds my heart. Carefully, and with love.

EPILOGUE

---