A scream ripped from my throat, and before I could stop myself, I bolted out of the cave.
And that was my mistake.
A shadow loomed over me.
I barely had time to react before a hand tangled in my hair, yanking me backward. I gasped, pain exploding through my scalp as I was forced onto the damp grass.
Bryant towered over me, his eyes burning with fury and something else. Something darker.
"You really thought you could run from me?" he sneered, pinning me beneath his weight. His grip tightened, fingers digging into my wrists as his breath fanned over my face.
But his voice... it was a bit different. Even his stance was.
I struggled, but he was too strong.
"You're mine," he growled, pressing his lips to my neck. "And I'll make sure you never forget it."
Tears burned my eyes as I thrashed beneath him, but it was useless. My strength was nothing compared to his. I wanted to scream, but my voice caught in my throat.
Then—
A gunshot.
Bryant's body jerked, his eyes widening in shock before blood bloomed across his chest.
His grip slackened.
I shoved him off me, my hands trembling as I scrambled away. My gaze darted toward the source of the shot.