Page 98 of Darkened Promises

Nate shuffles through the mail, then pauses, glaring hard at the envelope. “This is for you.”

“Me?” I frown. I haven’t changed my address. Unless it got slipped into their box by accident, with us being neighbours…or former neighbours. Reaching out a hand, I take the envelope from him.

I really hope it isn’t more bad news. Can it even get worse than being evicted and jobless? I don’t think there’s anything else I can really lose.

Oh, unless it’s a huge tax bill.

Please, please, don’t be money I owe.

I rip it open, pull out the paper enclosed within and unfold it. My eyes scan the words quickly, and ice shoots through my veins with each word. Stomach falling and chest pounding, I drop it to the floor.

“No,” I croak, vision fuzzy as I stumble blindly, a roar deafening in my ears.

Nate catches me before I can fall, and pulls my head firmly into his chest, but the contact feels muted. My mind’s caught between staying present in my body and retreating.

“What the fuck is it?” he growls.

Bry moves behind me, the sound of him scooping that letter off the floor so loud it has me slamming my eyes shut as I work through the dizziness.

“Rosy…can I?” Bry questions.

It takes a moment to reply, my throat too tight and dry. “Y-yes.”

The paper rustles, then he releases a breathy, “Shit.”

“Fuck’s sake, what is it?” Nate snarls, clenching me to him tighter, so his heart thuds heavily beneath my cheek.

After a distressed noise, Bry starts.

“Dear kitten,

I’ve been missing you, so I thought I’d reach out to let you know I’m thinking of you.

Our time together was too short, and I’m counting down the days until I have you back.

It’s been a trying time watching you with them, when you belong to me. Sharing isn’t something I enjoy. You’re too perfect for me to let others have a piece of you.

Just know, I see you, and your behaviour has displeased me. You’ve broken many rules.

Try to behave.

Your devoted Owner.”

Nate’s vibrating, and I’ve burrowed as deeply as I can into his chest. Perhaps if I disappear into him, then I can grasp hold of some semblance of the safety I had moments ago. That letter thoroughly burst the bubble I’d started to forget existed. I went outside yesterday. I’d left here and been out in the open… Had he watched me?

Why won’t he leave me alone?

What if…what if he takes me again?

At first, I don’t realise I’m sobbing, too lost in the frantic thoughts racing through my mind. When Bry presses up against my back and hugs me tightly, my body crumbles. They don’t let go. For however long it takes me to cry out every angry, broken, and terrified thought, they hold me.

When they ebb and the sniffled, hiccupped breaths start, Bry presses a kiss to my cheekbone and pulls away. My heart stutters, wanting to pull him back. The urge to scramble and pull them all close hits me hard.

What if one of them gets hurt?

What if he hurts them to get to me?

Chest squeezing tight, my throat burns with each ragged inhale. Nate cups my face, easing me back so he can look at me. His forehead pinches, and he glares hard. I hate that I’m panicking and it’s making him worry.