Page 189 of The Monster and the Masochist

The heady scent of cloves slammed into me, and suddenly, I could feel him again.

Those phantom touches seeped through my clothing, and my vision faded in and out as I was hit with a full-blown tactile hallucination.

“Well, if you thought I was going to destroy your father, you have no idea what I’m going to do to your brother now that you’ve provoked me… Not to mention that pretty, pretty wife of yours.”

Fear like I’d never known before exploded through me, and I shook my head helplessly as hot tears spilled down my cheeks.

I didn’t even know when I’d started crying, but I was, and I was too wrecked to try to stop.

“No…” I rasped, shaking with panic and desperation. “No, please. Don’t hurt them. Leave them alone. I didn’t tell anyone, I swear!”

Samwell just chuckled softly, finally releasing my chin and taking a step back. He looked pleased, and the smug expression on his face was so horrifyingly familiar that I nearly gagged. He was pleased he’d managed to scare me. Like some sort of emotional vampire that fed off fear, he was gorging himself on my terror, and there was nothing I could do to stop him.

“I have very powerful friends now, Theodora, and you’ve made me very angry. Do you think that was smart? Hmm?”

“Please, Father, they’re innocent. They–”

“What’s going on here?”

I jumped as a new voice interrupted us, and both Samwell and I turned to find Nolan approaching.

He glanced at me, then at Father Samwell, and it took me a moment to process that he looked just as pissed as Samwell did.

“Theo? You alright? Where’s Cass?” he asked, frowning as he searched my face. Abruptly, I realized my cheeks were still wet with tears, and I hastily wiped them away with the sleeve of my suit jacket.

“Uh, yeah. Yeah. I’m all good. Cass is in the bathroom. Uber’s here. I’ve gotta go let them know she’s gonna be out shortly.”

Nolan’s frown deepened, and he turned to Samwell.

“Reverend Sterling. Can I ask what you’re doing here? This event is invite-only, and if the letter of dismissal preceding your arrest didn’t make it clear, you are not a welcome guest.”

I didn’t stick around to hear Samwell’s answer.

The second his attention was off of me, I made my escape.

To my relief, the Uber was arriving just as I slipped through the glass revolving doors of the hotel.

Cassandra’s heels clicked violently on the sidewalk as I rushed to the car. Slipping into the back seat, I slammed the door shut behind me with trembling hands.

The second I was in the dark, quiet car, my body began to shake, and I curled my fingers into my hair in an attempt to keep my shit together long enough to get somewhere safe so I could fall apart.

“Theodora Fairview?” the driver asked, confirming I was the right passenger.

I nodded, swallowing thickly.

“Yeah. Listen, there’s been a change of plans. I need to update the drop-off location.”

My trip to the bathroom took longer than I’d anticipated. There’d been a line, and I was even more grateful for Theo’s comfortable shoes as I’d waited my turn.

After drying my hands, I made my way back out into the lobby, rushing slightly in case Theo already had an Uber waiting for us.

Though as I made my way back to where I’d left Theo, I frowned as I realized she wasn’t where I’d left her.

Instead, I found a furious Nolan and… What the fuck?

“The Antoinette is first and foremost a hotel, Mr. Cross. I am not here for your pitiful event.”

Reverend Sterling was snapping at Nolan, whose face was nearly white with rage. The reverend gestured to a young girl at his side, and my blood went cold as I took in how lifeless she seemed. “I am here with a member of my flock. We have a prayer session booked with a specialist.”