Page 55 of Cyber Revenge

My heartstops.

The knife shakes in my hand as I spin around, eyes wide, breath catching in my throat. A figure stands in the shadows near the doorway.

Tall. Broad.

Black tactical gear. Gloves. Boots. A mask covering everything but his eyes.

My pulse pounds so loud I can’t hear anything else.

“Patrick…” I whisper, barely able to form the word.

He doesn’t speak.

Doesn’tmove.

Just… watches me. The knife trembles harder.

“Please…” My voice cracks.

I take a step back. He takes one forward.

No.

I stumble, back hitting the counter, heart pounding so hard it hurts.

“Trip?” I whisper.

But he doesn’t answer.

I know it’s not him.

Trip doesn’tmovelike this. Trip doesn’t make me feel this small.

“Patrick… please…” My voice is barely above a whisper.

He grabs my wrist. The knife clatters to the floor. I gasp, my body going rigid as he spins me, pinning me to the cold tile.

“Don’t, please…” I whimper, tears burning in my eyes.

No words. Just his grip tightening. I can’t breathe.

Not again.

I break. My knees give out. I crumble to the floor, body shaking, tears spilling down my face as panic swallows me whole.

“Please,” I sob, curling into myself. “Please, I’m sorry…”

I’m back there.

Inhisgrip.

Small. Helpless.

“Lydia.”

The voice is muffled through the mask. Lower. Softer. I flinch.

“Look at me.”