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“No,” I reply sternly. She takes a step towards me, and I’m damn near certain she’s about to rip the mask from my face.

“Take it off!” she screams.

I raise my masked face to hers as I apply pressure to the burning hole in my shoulder. “I can’t,” I rasp.

“Fucking. Take. It. Off.” Mallory growls at me, fully succumbing to the feelings flowing through her now. Teetering on the edge of insanity because of the events of the past month. This is my fault. I’ve broken her, or at least had a hand in it.

“You’ll hate me.” I hang my head in shame.

“I just killed for you, for us. Have I not proven myself enough? Do you not trust me to love you when I see what’s under the mask, Ghost? You hide from me, yet I cannot hide from you. You see all of me.” She gestures to her bruised, naked, crimson streaked body and I can’t deny her. I see all of her, literally. This is her rawest form, fully revealed and no longer concealing herself or her emotions. It’s fucking intoxicating. Her pupils are dilated, and I can see the hysteria waiting with bated breath to break free. If I don’t show her my face she’ll snap. “This is enough. It isn’t fair,” she snarls, fist clenching around the handle of my knife. She’s standing her ground, and it’s hot as fuck. Seeing that spark I planted inside her ignite in an inferno.

Fuck it.Let’s do this. If I’m going to die it’ll be after I see the look on her face when she finally knows who I am. “Fair? Don’t even get me started on what’s fair, Mallory. Carrying on with two men isn’t fair…to either of us.” Her mouth snaps closed as her eyes turn to saucers. That shut her up real fucking quick.Nothing to say now, eh baby?Shock and slight traces of fear cross her beautiful face. I wonder if it’s the last time I’ll see it.

“How did you know?” she stutters out on a hushed breath.

“Because baby…” I remove my hand from the wound and it leaks my life force out onto the floor of this dirty, wretched sawmill. Grabbing the front of the mask, I slowly pull it from my face. “We are the same fucking person.”

Part Two

Chapter Thirty-two

Mallory

One month later.

The moist dew seeps into my pants as my knees sink further into the supple earth. The fog is thick, wet. It hangs around us like a curtain, obstructing us from anyone’s lingering gaze, coating our skin in a thin sheen of moisture. Nox’s groan of pleasure reverberates out around us as I suck his cock slow and sensually. I missed him so fucking much while gone, I can’t contain the desire I have for him now. It’s this unquenchable thirst to feel every moment with him to the utmost extent.

His cock hits the back of my throat as he weaves his fingers into my hair, fisting tight and taking control, chasing his release. Another moan slips from his lips as his hips lose their once steady rhythm. I love watching him come undone for me, because of me.

His sounds of pleasure morph into gurgling maniacal laughter, jarring me from the lusty cloud I’m floating on.Raising my eyes, Officer Johnson stares down at me, blood bubbling from between his lips. Fear squeezes the air from my lungs as his dick cuts off the air to my lungs.

“Breathe through your nose, darlin’,” he snarls, finding his release. His rancid cum spurts into my mouth, and I can’t believe I’m still trapped here with him.I got away. I killed him.Crimson drool leaks from the sides of his mouth as he looks down at me, the gaping hole beneath his chin leaking blood down his neck and chest, staining his shirt. “I told you we weren’t so different, don’t you see it yet?” he taunts, evaporating before my very eyes.

In his place, Nox reappears, panting heavily and gazing down upon me with nothing but adoration. His orgasmic haze clears and he tucks himself back into his pants. Concern creases his brow when he looks at me again, as if he can see the panic tightly coiling through me. He undoubtedly can. I’m trying my best to suppress the anxiety attack clawing at my chest and the shakes coming over me. Dropping to his knees, he embraces me. The heat from his body sinking into mine, chasing away the cold chill of death left by my memories.

“Did I do something wrong?” he asks cautiously.

“No,” I whisper. He didn’t do anything wrong. How could he? Nox waits on me hand and foot, fearful that any second I could shatter into a million tiny pieces. He’s been putting me first, all while juggling the new captain’s position, and mourning the loss of his uncle.

“Let’s go home,” he mutters against my skin and I nod.

Standing, he extends his hand and I slip mine into it. Nox pulls me to him, crashing us together, lips meetingviolently. Passion reignites within me at the eagerness in his touch, the proximity of his body to mine, and the growl that comes from deep inside him as I bite his lip, dragging it between my teeth. My nipples ache for attention as his grip on me becomes crushing, holding my body against his as if I’ll disappear again at any moment.I’m not going anywhere.

My thighs rub together, seeking anything to quell the rapid thumping of my clit. “Touch me,” I breathe against his mouth. “Please.”Make me forget.

He pulls away from me, shaking his head, then turns towards the truck. The memories of what we used to be haunt me endlessly. His actions send my negative thoughts careening off the precipice my self-esteem resides on, they grab ahold of it tightly, sending it crashing into the jagged rocks below. My mind’s a pile of worthless trash as I follow behind him, a discarded cum rag that’s served its purpose.

He rounds the front of the vehicle, opening the door and sliding into the driver’s seat, sitting still as a statue, waiting for me to follow. Mirroring his movements, I climb up into the passenger seat and click the seat belt around me. Lennox turns the key in the ignition and his Dodge Ram roars to life. The vibrations rumble a soothing sensation through my tense muscles, calming the racing of my thoughts.

Being denied is a kick to the gut of the progress I thought we were making. He’s never going to want me again.Ruined. Dirty. Disgusting.My parents’ words echo through my head, and I dread the moment I’ll hear the same fall from Nox’s mouth.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Knuckles meet the glass of the driver’s side window, and Nox rolls it down without hesitation.

“This is a no trespassing area, sir.” The voice, raspy and familiar, shoots adrenaline through my body, winding me tighter and tighter until I’m liable to snap. My frazzled and fractured mind can’t take anymore. I slowly turn towards the voice, praying this is once again all in my head. Officer Johnson steps into view, looking as he did the day he pulled me over; clean-cut, freshly shaven, police uniform starched and pressed with the cap upon his head. I suck in a gasp, my answering scream getting caught in my throat. I’m frozen with fear, rendered completely immobile by this sick fuck’s presence.

“I’m going to have to ask you to leave the premisesimmediately.”His gaze locks with mine over Nox’s head, and he winks.No. No. No. This isn’t real. It’s another hallucination.I’m breathing too fast but I can’t get any fucking air. My head swims, and I’m pretty sure this is what hyperventilating is. Will I pass out from lack of oxygen? Why isn’t there a paper bag handy when you need it?