Page 39 of The Sculptor

“Some women you just can’t tame, Congressman.”

I flash him a proud smirk. I’ve never tried to tame Ray. Instead, I added fuel to her fire and sat back, watching her flame burn out of control. And while I’d love nothing more than to see her burn down the congressman’s kingdom on her own, she’s too late.

I couldn’t save her then.

But I can now.

“Oh, Dr. Potter. You have so much to learn. You don’t tame women. You break them.”

Yeah, not this one, Congressman.

I’ve broken her once.

And she rose.

She fought her way through the darkness and found her light.

I won’t let you snuff the light from her again.

I won’t let you destroy what’s left of my girl.

Langston hoists the woman up on his lap as best he can, meaning she has to scoot closer so he can grind her into his cock. “Tonight is Ramsey’s last night of freedom. She better enjoy it. Tomorrow is a new life—just like the one she desires.” Langston chuckles. “No more separate rooms.” He nuzzles the woman’s neck. “No more fucking painting eyes and hearts on her body like a teenager. Ramsey Ford will know her place at my side, holding my…”

I don’t hear the rest of what he says. All I can do is grip the sides of the chair as the screams take over—memories of the cold night I will never forget invading my brain like a monsoon.

“Squeeze my hand, Ray!”

“It hurts.” Her body shudders in gut-wrenching agony, but she manages to find my hand, covered in blood, and squeezes. “I don’t think I can do this.”

“Yes, you can. You can do anything, remember? You’re strong, Ray—so strong. Just look at me, okay? Keep your eyes on me—only on me.”

She’s so tired—so weak that I almost miss the small nod she flashes me. “Only on you,” she finally agrees. “Us against the world.”

“That’s right. Us against the world. I promise, I’ll make the pain stop. I just need you to give me one more big push,” I lie.

We are so fucking fucked.

All the research. All the videos. All the medical supplies. None of it was enough to prepare for this moment.

A moment we hid from our families.

A moment we gave up everything for.

To birth our child in an abandoned cabin.

Alone.

Because we lied.

“Ow!” Ray screams, her hand squeezing mine in a tight grip. I manage to find my courage, placing a kiss to her hand. “One more time, baby.”

I don’t know if it’ll take one more push or several, but I can see the head. It’s almost over.

Ray braces herself, holding the backs of her thighs as I settle down between her legs.

And then she screams.

And screams some more as she pushes a floppy infant out into my arms.

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