Page 65 of Broken Beauty

And I have a feeling I am going to be enduring a lot tonight.

“I'm going to make you scream.”

My heart is beating hard and fast against my chest. Adrenaline is still running through my veins.

“Ash-“

“Run, Ariella. If you leave the apartment without me catching you, I'll leave you alone and move back to New York.”

“And if you catch me?”

“Then you are quite fucked, Madden.”

I don't waste any time.

I turn around and run towards the dark hallway near his front door. Chills run up my spine as I dash through the hallway.

Multiple doors come in my view but I keep running and turning to different corners.

I should have gone upstairs.

I open one of the doors and run inside.

There is no lock but when I turn around and see the room I'm in, I am filled with shock.

It's dark in here but I notice the rows and rows of bookshelves that fill in the room. In the center there is a floor to ceiling window that showcases the moonlight.

I hear heavy footsteps outside the door.

I take a left and run down one of the rows.

My chest is tight and I have an urge to give up and fall asleep. I rest my back against one of the shelves and rest my head against the shelf.

My breathing is shaky and my heart feels like it's about to explode out of my chest. I close my eyes and try to calm down my breathing but then I hear the door open making me freeze.

Even though he is probably feet away from me I feel him everywhere.

I feel him in my bones, soul, and it's like he is stealing all of my breath and taking away the ability to breath.

It's not possible but I wish I could freeze my heart. I feel like Ash can hear how fast my heart is beating.

This whole experience feels like the time when Ash was chasing me in the mirror room at the fair. I get a sense of déjà vu and a small smile makes its way to my lips.

That was one of my favorite moments with Ash and the fact I'm experiencing it again excites me.

I stand up and run towards the other side of the bookshelf but instead I am faced with eyes filled with darkness and a small sadistic smirk plastered on Ash's face.

“Got you.”

Thirty

Ash

Present

My arms are wrapped around Ariella and I can feel how she shudders against me. Her heart is beating so fast that I feel the beats against my chest.

It's fascinating to see her this way. The way she melts against my hold. The way her lips part and she leans into me, hoping for a kiss.