Page 87 of Push My Buttons
"Almost two years ago, I was attacked in my family home. Someone tried to strangle me. I lost my voice, and many of my memories from before."
"And do you know who attacked you?"
My hands tremble as I sign the name."My brother's best friend, Levi."
Detective Rivera's expression sharpens. "Your brother being Lucien Cain, the Reaper?"
I nod, wincing at the pain it causes.
"Miss Maddox, what evidence do you have of this stalking?"
"My boyfriends have everything—the notes, gifts, photographs. They've been collecting it all, trying to protect me."
"And you believe this Levi is your stalker?"
"I know he is."My signing becomes more emphatic."I remembered everything today. He was there when I collapsed. He spoke to me right before I lost consciousness."
For the next fifteen minutes, I pour out everything I can remember about Levi—his appearance, his mannerisms, where he went to school with Lucien, his parents' names, the address where he used to live. With each detail, Detective Rivera's expression grows more intense.
"Miss Maddox," she says when I finally pause, "are you aware that your brother was arrested for all the Reaper killings?"
"Levi framed my brother,"I sign, my movements becoming more urgent despite the pain in my head."Lucien and Levi started killing together—vigilante justice, Levi called it. But then Levi started killing women who looked like me. He made it look like my brother's work."
Detective Rivera leans forward. "Are you saying your brother isn't the Reaper?"
"No, he is—or was—part of it. But not all of it. Not the women. Levi killed them because they looked like me. Because he was obsessed with me."My hands are shaking so badly now that Ms. Mills has to ask me to slow down."Levi strangled me that day. He's the one who took my voice. Not my brother."
Officer Chen is writing furiously now. Detective Rivera's expression remains carefully neutral, but I can see the intensity in her eyes.
"This is very serious information, Miss Maddox," she says finally. "If what you're saying is true, it would significantly impact your brother's case."
"It's true,"I sign. "I remember it now. All of it."
"We'll need to report this to the FBI," Detective Rivera says. "They're handling the Reaper case. They'll likely want to speak with you directly."
"I'll tell them everything I told you,"I sign, exhaustion beginning to overtake me."But please, you need to find Levi. He's dangerous. He's been watching me for months, well years actually. I want him caught before he hurts anyone else."
"We'll coordinate with local precincts to locate him," Detective Rivera assures me, standing. "In the meantime, we'll have an officer stationed outside your room. For your protection."
As they prepare to leave, I catch Detective Rivera's sleeve."My boyfriends—they didn't know about Levi. I only remembered today. Please don't blame them for not coming forward about it sooner."
She nods, her expression softening slightly. "Get some rest, Miss Maddox. We'll be in touch."
When they're gone, exhaustion crashes over me like a wave. The memories, the confession, the revelation—it's all too much. My eyelids grow heavy, but I fight to stay awake. I need to see Jace and Theo. I just want to move past all of this and live a normal life.
The door opens again, and they both rush in, concern etched into their faces.
"What did they want?" Theo asks, reclaiming his spot beside me.
"Are you okay?" Jace adds, his fingers immediately finding mine.
I try to sign, but my hands feel like they're moving through molasses. The medication is pulling me under again, darkness creeping in at the edges of my vision.
"Rest," Jace murmurs, brushing hair from my forehead. "We'll be here when you wake up."
The darkness is pulling me under, and this time, I don't fight it. My last conscious thought is of Levi's voice in my ear: "You're mine."
No, I'm not. I never was.
