Page 44 of Deliria

Fear grips me, but I refuse to let it show. Haven’t these arseholes tormented me enough?

“I’m just taking a walk,” I reply, my voice steady despite the god damn pounding of my heart.

He leans the spade lazily against the trunk and takes a step closer, his gaze raking over me in a way that makes my adrenaline spike further. “In the woods? All alone? Come on now, you know that’s not safe.”

As if he gives a fuck what’s safe. As if he’s concerned about protecting me?

I back away, my instincts screaming at me to run. But I know that Rafe is faster, stronger. There’s no outrunning him even on a good day.

“I can handle myself,” I say, though the words feel as hollow as they sound.

He laughs, the sound echoing off the trees. “Is that so? Because from where I’m standing, you look like you’re lost. And we both know what your husband would say if he knew where you were.”

The threat of Alex seems to hang between us. The way he says the word ‘husband’ is like it’s an insult.

“I’m not lost,” I retort, squaring my shoulders. “And I’m allowed to walk where I want.”

“Are you now?” he taunts before lunging at me, his hand closing around my wrist because my reactions are too damn slow.

I struggle against his grip, but it’s like trying to break free from iron shackles. “Let go of me.” I demand, my voice rising in panic.

He yanks me toward him, his breath hot against my ear as he stares so intently into my eyes that I can’t take it.

Fury. Frustration. Pure fucking anger surges in me and I slam my knee into his leg as hard as I can.

Fuck them. Fuck the Forsters. I hope they all fucking die.

He groans, loosening his grip just enough for me to slip free.

I seize the chance, taking off running, my heart pounding in my chest as I weave through the trees. But Rafe is right on my heels, his laughter filling the air as he gives chase.

“Run, little red riding hood,” he calls out, his voice just as low and gravelly as a beast. “The big bad wolf is very hungry today.”

The branches whip against my cheek, drawing stinging lines of fire across my skin, but I don’t slow down. I can’t. The consequences of doing so are far too catastrophic to bear.

Beneath my feet, sharp stones cut into my feet like knives.

I can hear Rafe getting closer, his footsteps heavy and deliberate as he chases me down. Every step is a torment, a taunt, a reminder that I have nowhere to go, nowhere to run that will be safe.

“You know how this story ends, don’t you?” He calls out. His words are a cruel reminder of my predicament. That I’m the prey, and he’s the hunter.

But I won’t make it easy for him.

I won’t go down without a fight.

I burst through a thicket, my lungs burning as I gasp for air. The woods are a maze, and I have no idea where I’m bloody going. All I know is that I need to keep moving, to put as much distance between Rafe and me as possible.

Only, suddenly, the ground is gone, where my feet land there is nothing and I’m stumbling, falling, screaming as I tumble over with the dirt rushing up to meet me.

I land hard, the impact knocking the wind right out of me. I try to scramble to my feet, but it’s too late. Rafe is on me, turning me over, using his hands to pin my wrists to the undergrowth while he straddles me with his massive frame.

I thrash, kick and fight with every ounce of strength I have left, but it’s a losing battle. It was from the very start.

“Please,” I beg, my voice breaking with the weight of my defeat.

“Please, what?” He says back, staring down at me with all the mercy of a psychopath.

“You know what your father and brother are doing to me.” I gasp, using the only cards I have left. “Why won’t you help me?”

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