Chapter 9 - Be My Monster
The drive back to the estate was silent.
Arthur held Clara tightly against his side in the back of the SUV, refusing to let any space exist between them.
When they arrived, the estate was on maximum lockdown.
He bypassed the medical wing entirely and carried her straight up to his private penthouse.
He locked the heavy doors behind them, shutting the violent world out.
Clara walked into the bathroom, turning on the hot water to wash the dried blood and dirt from her hands.
Arthur stood in the doorway, watching her with a heavy, tormented expression.
“I should have protected you better,” he said, his voice raw with guilt.
Clara dried her hands and turned to face him.
“You tore down an entire syndicate to find me, Arthur.”
“I think your protection is adequate.”
Arthur stepped into the bathroom, leaning against the marble counter.
“It is only going to get worse,” he warned her.
“My enemies know you are my weakness now.”
“They will never stop coming for you.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a thick envelope, tossing it onto the counter.
“There is a new passport in there, along with access codes to an offshore account with ten million dollars.”
Clara stared at the envelope.
“What is this?” she asked, her chest tightening.
“It is your out,” Arthur said, refusing to look her in the eye.
“I have a private jet waiting on the tarmac.”
“You can go anywhere in the world, Clara.”
“You can be completely free of me, and completely safe.”
Clara felt a sudden, sharp spike of anger.
She grabbed the heavy envelope and threw it directly into the trash can.
Arthur looked up, startled by her aggression.
“I did not ask for an out,” she snapped, stepping aggressively into his space.
“You knocked on my door when you were broken.”
“You pulled me into your violent, terrifying world.”
“You don't get to push me away now just because you are scared of losing me.”
Arthur stared at her, completely captivated by the fierce fire in her eyes.
“I am a monster, Clara,” he whispered desperately.
May you like
“Then be my monster,” she demanded, grabbing the lapels of his ruined shirt.
“Because I am never leaving you.”
