Page 63 of Ruthless Possession
"Whenever you want," my father promises, his hand gentle on her shoulder.
As they drive away, Charlie waves from the porch between Trenton and me, her small hand raised high.
"They're nice," she says when they're gone, turning to look up at me. "They're not like my dad."
The words hit me with unexpected force. I crouch down to her level, taking her hands in mine. "No, they're not. And you know what? You get to have lots of different kinds of people who care about you. That's what family is."
She nods slowly, considering this. "Family is people who keep you safe."
"Yes," I agree, my voice steady despite the emotion threatening to overwhelm me. "Exactly that."
As we go back inside, Charlie's small hand finding mine, I know we've taken another step forward.
chapter eleven
Morgan
I'm jolted awake by the ringing of my phone. The screen glows in the predawn darkness of our bedroom. It's Greyson.
"Morgan, are you watching the news?" His voice is tight, controlled in a way that immediately puts me on alert.
"What?" I sit up, rubbing sleep from my eyes. "No, what's happening?"
"Turn it on. Channel 6." The line goes dead.
I fumble for the remote, switching on the small television we keep in our room. Trenton stirs beside me, instantly alert at my movement.
"What's going on?" he asks, his voice rough with sleep.
"I don't know yet," I whisper, not wanting to wake Charlie in the next room. "Greyson called."
The news anchor's face fills the screen, her expression grave.
"…discovered early this morning by a group of hikers in Callahan State Park, just outside town boundaries. The woman, whose identity has not yet been released, appears to match the description of previous victims in what police are calling a serial murder case."
My stomach drops. "Trenton…"
"I know." He's already reaching for his phone.
Matthew appears in our doorway, his face pale in the dim light. "You've seen?"
I nod, unable to speak as the news continues.
"Authorities are warning residents to remain vigilant," the anchor continues, "as this marks the third body discovered in as many weeks."
"Three?" I manage to say, turning to Matthew. "But they only found two before."
He shakes his head, his jaw tight. "This must be new."
The camera pans to footage of police officers securing a wooded area with yellow tape. My heart hammers against my ribs as I recognize the park. It's by the forest, the same area where we searched for Charlie.
"We need to call Ethan," I say, throwing back the covers. "And your dad," I add to Trenton.
"Already on it," Trenton confirms, his phone to his ear.
I dress quickly, my mind racing. Is this Evan's work? Has he found another woman who looks like me? Like Charlie's mother?
The thought sends ice through my veins.
