Page 21 of Monstrosity

Her voice is steady, sure. "Because I won't be pushed away. Not anymore. Whatever's going on—and don't tell me nothing is going on—we face it together. That's what people who care about each other do."

"Dasha—"

"Together, Rio. Or not at all."

Before I can respond, her phone buzzes with a text.

She glances at it, frowns, then shows me the screen.

Unknown number:

Sweet dreams, beautiful. See you soon.

My blood turns to ice. "When did that come in?"

"Just now. Probably some creep who got the wrong number." But there's uncertainty in her voice, and when she looks at me, I know she can see the truth in my expression.

"Inside," I say, already moving. "Now."

"Rio, what's?—"

"Inside. Get the girls. Now."

She doesn't argue, sensing the urgency in my voice.

Within minutes, we have both girls unbuckled and moving toward the house.

I'm checking shadows, scanning rooflines, every nerve on high alert.

The house is secure—locks engaged, alarm system armed.

But as I do my sweep of the rooms, checking windows and sight lines, I can feel Dasha watching me.

"You want to tell me what's really going on?" she asks once the girls are settled in the living room with a movie.

I look at this woman who's become the center of my world, who's offering me everything I've ever wanted, and I know I can't keep lying to her.

"There are some very bad people who want to hurt me," I say finally. "And they think the best way to do that is through you."

She goes very still. "What kind of bad people?"

"The kind that killed Flora."

The words hang between us like a blade, sharp and final.

Her face goes pale, but she doesn't look away. "How long have they been watching me?"

"A few months. Maybe longer." I run my hands through my hair, exhausted by the weight of carrying this alone. "I've been trying to keep you safe without involving you, but?—"

"But that's not your decision to make." Her voice is steady, stronger than I expected. "If I'm in danger, I have the right to know."

"You have the right to be safe."

"I have the right to choose." She stands, moving closer until she's right in front of me. "And I choose you. All of you. Even the dangerous parts."

"Dasha—"

"No more lies, Rio. No more half-truths or evasions. If we're doing this, if we're really doing this, then we do it honestly."