The Beast on Her Leash novel · Chapter 12 of 24

Chapter 12: Please

I did not put it back.

I closed the album gently, held it against my chest, and walked past him out of the sitting room.

"Come with me," I said.

He followed.

Behind us the dinner went on, laughing, clinking, a woman telling a story about a ham.

We went out the back door and down the stone steps to the water.

Moose came too, with a groan at every step.

The dock was cold and lit by one yellow bulb.

The river was black and slow.

I set the album on a piling and turned to face him.

"I'm going to say something," I said. "You can walk away at any time. I won't follow."

"I know the rule."

"This isn't a rule. It's me being scared."

He didn't speak.

His hands hung at his sides, shaking, and I thought that if he ran I would not blame him.

"Read the names," I said, and I held the clipping out to him.

My voice stayed level, which surprised me.

He took it with both hands.

"The names in the headline were my mother and father."

I made myself keep going.

I tapped the small grey photograph under the headline, and my finger shook.

"Look at her, Bram."

The wind moved the water against the pilings.

"I know," said Bram.

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