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“Time to talk, Your Majesty,” I murmured, pushing her hair back and looking down into her face to see she was already gone.
Sound asleep. For the first time in a week, the frown between her eyebrows had eased. She looked peaceful, worn out and safe.
She’d been trying so hard to push me away, worried and alone under the weight of whatever terrible thing Trent Fitzgerald was holding over her.
I couldn’t wake her. Holding her while she slept trustingly in my arms healed the cracks the last few days had made in my heart. I should tie her up so she couldn’t wake up before me and make trouble. My little brat was exceptionally skilled at that. I was reluctant to move, however. I’d missed her so fucking much.
I just needed a little longer. I’d tie her up soon, but not yet.
Not just yet.
Winter
Waking up in the cabin, lying in Asher’s arms, I had a full minute of contentedness before reality crowded back in. Something vibrating had woken me. I reached for my phone. We’d finally made it into the bedroom last night before I’d passed out. I’d been so tired. Bone-shatteringly exhausted. I just couldn’t keep my eyes open.
Surprised to see my cell had a weak signal, I opened the message. It was a video from an unknown number. In it, someone with a flashlight was walking outside. A shape came into focus. I recognized the insignia on Asher’s motorcycle. They poured something into the fuel tank.
A message popped up.
Sodium silicate, better known as liquid glass, and they won’t know until the investigation why lover boy lost control of his bike. There are just so many dangerous roads in Hade Harbor, don’t you think?
I stared at Trent’s message, my heart dropping to my stomach.
Another one popped up.
Now that we understand each other, get ready and wait for someone to pick you up. I’ve had enough of waiting around for you to understand the gravity of your situation. That ends today. Selena says hi, by the way. She’s once again a guest of The Cove. She’s waiting for you, in case you were thinking about ratting me out to your little boyfriend.
I dropped my phone and shivered. Selena had gone back to The Cove? She’d never do that willingly. The danger was very real and closing in. The plan that me and Bran O’Connor had come up with hadn’t involved anyone else, but there was nothing I could do about that now.
I looked at Asher. He’d be furious. He might even hate me. He might give up on me. I couldn’t let those fears get in the way. I needed him unhurt more than I needed him to not be mad at me. Nothing else mattered.
I was sending one bad guy after another. That had to be the plan. Cold-blooded as it was, I didn’t care what happened to Bran O’Connor. My whole world rested on what happened to Asher. Asher Martino deserved to have someone looking out for him for once, and that person was me. I just had to point my dangerous weapon in the right direction. Bran didn’t know where The Cove was. I didn’t, either, and Selena couldn’t remember. Someone had to go there. And that someone was me.
I picked up my phone and typed a quick message to a number I had saved a few days ago. I just had to hope I still had service.
Me: It’s a go. He’s taking me there. Get here and follow - now.
Bran: Got it, my little cheerleading bait. See you soon
I dropped my coordinates and got up.
It took me a long time to get out of bed. I couldn’t stop staring at Asher. The line of his jaw and the dusting of fawn freckles on his golden cheekbones. He was beautiful. On a whim, I took off my necklace. Searching silently in the kitchen, I found a scrap of paper and scribbled out a quick note.
I’m sorry. I can’t take the grapevine knot, because I don’t want you to find me this time. Give it back to me after, if you still want to.
To me, meeting you made all the time I was waiting and lonely worthwhile. And I love you, in case I don’t have a chance to tell you later.
Your spoiled brat, always - W
I left the note with the ring on the kitchen table and crept into the living room. My clothes were all over the place. I dressed quickly and laced up my boots in near silence. I couldn’t let him use his motorcycle. Not only would he come after me too quickly, but it was messed up and dangerous. Messing with his ride like that was practically attempted murder. Fury at Trent flooded through me.
He'd get what was coming to him. Somehow, someway, he would. For me and for Selena and all the girls who had passed through The Cove’s doors unwillingly. I searched the entire place for the motorcycle keys and was relieved to find an extra cabin key on his keychain. I unlocked the door and glanced over my shoulder. The cabin was undisturbed, sleepy still, in the pale dawn light. Would I ever come back here? The thought broke my heart.
Yes, I would. I would make sure of it. I wished I felt as confident as my affirmations sounded.
I was out of time. After a lifetime of having way too much of it, the happiest time of my life had streamed past me in a heartbeat.
A truck rolling over gravel sounded outside. Trent’s henchman coming to pick me up. I had to go. I resisted the urge to look in on Asher again.
