His Doomsday Cage of Ten Years Regret Chapter 04

His Doomsday Cage of Ten Years Regret Chapter 04

Peyton’s jaw clenched hard.

His cold gaze fixed on my mouth as I spoke.

Alarm shot through me.

I clapped a hand over my lips and tried to scramble away, kicking Peyton several times in the process.

Gritting through the pain, he caught my ankle.

He pinned me flat beneath him in the cramped backseat, his kiss coming down hard and almost rough.

There was no way the two men outside hadn’t noticed the commotion.

Even though the tinted windows blocked their view, the sounds coming from inside made it obvious what was going on.

Caught eavesdropping, the two of them flushed, unsure whether to stay or make a run for it.

The noise inside died down soon enough.

Peyton threw open the door and pulled me out.

“Jude, Cole—let me introduce you. This is Dawn Carter. My partner.”

I spat repeatedly while clinging to the car frame.

Peyton’s face darkened as he dragged me into the house.

“Peyton, what took you so long to get back…”

Winnie Bennett poked her head out of the kitchen.

The warm smile on her face froze the moment she saw the state Peyton and I were in.

“Who’s this?”

Peyton repeated himself.

“Dawn Carter. My partner.”

I finally wriggled free of his grip.

“Partner my ass! I don’t even know you like that—cut it out!”

The words came out of my swollen, bitten lips and carried no weight at all.

Everyone fell silent, yet their eyes flicked between us, buzzing with unspoken gossip.

I shoved Peyton hard, spun around, and ducked into a small room, slamming the door behind me and twisting the lock shut.

My over-the-top anger faded into something heavier and sadder.

I’d told myself I was ready to step aside.

But standing face-to-face with Peyton and Winnie, I found I wasn’t nearly as composed as I’d thought I’d be.

In my past life, Peyton had confessed to me just before the outbreak.

Back then, I’d been enjoying stringing him along far too much to commit, yet I refused to let go of such a prime catch.

So I put him off, saying I needed more time to think.

Then the apocalypse hit.

Luckily, it was a break, and most students had gone home. The dormitory was empty. I escaped getting bitten by my sleeping roommates and survived for three days on nothing but snacks.

On the fourth day, Peyton appeared like a miracle. He fought through the zombies that had overrun the dorm building and got me out.

We ended up right back in this same estate, in this same room.

Once he’d settled me safely, he turned to leave.

“This place is safer than campus. Take care of yourself from now on.”

I’d been terrified by the chaos outside. I hadn’t slept a wink those three days alone. There was no way I was letting him walk away.

“You can’t leave me!”

“You pulled me out of that hellhole, so you owe it to me to stick by me!”

Peyton gave a bitter smile and showed me the bite mark on his arm.

“I could turn any minute. You’ll only be safe if you stay far away from me.”

I shook my head frantically.

To be honest, I don’t know what I was thinking in that moment. I just threw my arms around him and wouldn’t let go.

“Then I’ll turn right along with you.”

Peyton went completely still.

“Does that mean you’re accepting my confession?”

“Is that really what you’re worried about right now? I’m telling you to take responsibility—do you understand?”

Peyton was quiet for a long moment, then he wrapped his arms around my trembling body.

“Alright. I’ll take responsibility. Don’t be scared.”

“We’ll turn together if it comes to that.”

“Even if we turn, I’ll look out for you and make sure you never go without sustenance.”

He poured me a glass of water to help me calm down.

I took a few distracted sips, then my vision blurred, and I slumped sideways into his arms.