Page 48 of Rule
“Oh, you have no idea how this works, do you, baby girl?”
“Fuck off and give me the box.” Kneeling on the bed, I hold my hands out for it.
Miles, with a cautious glance at Max, hands it over carefully. With all eyes on me, I open the wrapped box, my hands shaking in case it explodes in my face. But I’m pretty sure it won’t. If I’m right, this has been sent from the killer, and they want us to know who they are, not kill us too.
Swallowing the drop of saliva in my dry mouth, I push the paper aside to show a plain white cardboard box. Lifting the lid, I peer inside and then shove it back to reveal to my men an exquisite porcelain doll. Its delicate features and lifelike appearance are mesmerizing and creepy as fuck. It looks exactly like me.
However, it's the note pinned to her dress that sends shivers down my spine.
"A gift to remember your dear friends by. C. T."
"Trilling?" I whisper, feeling an icy grip tighten around my heart. The realization that he is behind the murders slams into me like a tidal wave. "He's responsible for Beth and Caitlin."
"Scarlet, we need to be careful," Miles warns, his voice laced with tension, his eyes filled with concern. “He wants you, and he will stop at nothing to get to you. It’s my fault. He saw us at the university, and now he’s stepping up.”
The weight of the situation hangs heavily in the air, and the gravity of Trilling's obsession becomes evident as Miles’s words sink in, a chill runs down my spine. The realization that Trilling's relentless pursuit is centered around me stirs a mix of fear and defiance within me. I lick my lips, a nervous gesture, as I meet Miles' gaze, searching for reassurance that is hard to find.
“Me?”
"You," he says, his voice tinged with frustration and exasperation.
The room falls into a tense silence as his words hang in the air. The weight of the knowledge settles heavily on my shoulders, and I try to process the implications of Trilling's obsession. Questions flood my mind, each one more urgent than the last.
Why me? What does he want from me? What lengths is he willing to go to fulfill his desires? The uncertainty gnaws at my thoughts, and I can feel a mix of vulnerability and determination building within me.
In that moment, I draw strength from the love and support of my husbands. Their unwavering presence beside me becomes an anchor, grounding me amidst the storm that brews outside our walls. Their protective instincts kick into overdrive, a fierce determination shining in their eyes.
"I won't let him have me," I declare, my voice filled with a newfound resolve. “I refuse to become a pawn in his twisted game.”
Miles meets my gaze, his eyes reflecting a mixture of pride, worry, and determination. He understands the fire that burns within me, the refusal to be a victim in this dangerous game. His hand finds mine, interlacing our fingers, and I can feel his silent support coursing through our connection.
"We will protect you," he says firmly, his voice filled with conviction. "We won't let him lay a finger on you. We'll be vigilant, strategic, and unrelenting in our pursuit of keeping you safe."
Max, sensing the gravity of the situation, steps forward, his presence a source of strength. "Trilling won't know what hit him," he declares, his voice resonating with confidence. "We'll turn the tables on him. He underestimates the power of our bond and the lengths we're willing to go to protect the ones we love."
Their words instill a renewed sense of determination within me. Yes, Trilling may be relentless, but we are equally tenacious. We will not cower in fear or become victims of his twisted desires. Together, we will be a formidable force, a united front against the darkness that seeks to consume us.
“Did anyone even know he was in Origin?” Max asks with a frown. “I sure as fuck didn’t, which is saying something.”
“He’s not from around here,” Miles says with a sigh, “Down south somewhere. If he never reported in up here, you wouldn’t know.”
“Fuck that,” Max growls. “Another thing we are going to change.”
“It’s fine,” I murmur. “He can want all he likes. He won't get me.”
“We will hold you to that, dirtywife, or he is a dead man with you next.”
“Oh, nice trust,” I mutter, unconcerned.
“Making a point,” he grits out.
“Noted.”
As we glare at each other, I press my lips together so I don’t laugh. “Look, this is a good thing, right? Beth and Caitlin are gone, and it was nothing to do with us. I don’t care about Trilling, so let’s just burn this creepy fucking thing,” I kick it off the bed with my foot, “and move on.”
“You know what?” Max states. “I couldn’t agree more. We are together, in love, and you rule.”
Snickering, we all relax again, and I know that this is only the beginning of the best chapter of my life. The challenges may be mounting, but with my husbands by my side, we will face them head-on. Trilling may be a formidable foe, but we are a force to be reckoned with. Together, we will navigate the darkness and emerge stronger than ever before.
