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“Then prove me otherwise,” I murmured, stroking her hair as she began reading. When I looked down on the page it was a jumble of letters between the drugs and the dyslexia, and I couldn’t concentrate on a damn thing. But my gaze drifted to Cassidy, the only thing I cared for in this very moment. And in the moment of truth—when I thought it’d be cruelly taken from me—I risked my fucking life to protect it. Maybe when I was sober and not on such heavy drugs, I’d consider its meaning further. Maybe tomorrow. But for now, I simply enjoyed the sound of her voice, trying to drown out the echoing scream of her voice in the woodlands that still haunted me.
Chapter 32
Cassidy
Eric had only made it through one and a half chapters before falling into a deep sleep. I stayed up most of the night, checking on him even when he swatted me away and said it was nothing. It hadn’t looked like nothing. He’d literally been attacked and bitten by wolves. All because he’d been protecting me.
By the time morning broke, I’d hardly been able to sleep at all. The gruesome images kept replaying in my mind. Eric was curled up in bed, the sun barely risen when I slid out from underneath his arm and made way to make his breakfast and coffee. Shadow hadn’t left the end of the bed all night either. It was remarkable he hadn’t sustained so much as a scratch and for that, I was grateful. I gave him an appreciative pat, proud of my little hero. He’d not only saved my life but protected Eric as well and I could never show this furball my deepest thanks enough.
I’d only just switched the coffee maker on when I heard bouncing wheels come up the dirt road and a vehicle park outside the cabin. I looked over my shoulder where Eric was now sitting up in bed, an effective glare in my direction.
“Were you expecting someone?” I inquired. He shook his head. It was probably Coots or Thomas but even for them it was early.
I made my way to the door, startled by the low growl that crept from Shadow, my hand lingered in front of the handle, heeding his warning like a bad omen. He must’ve still been spooked from yesterday. Eric rose out of bed, his feint limp noticeable. “Stay in bed,” I instructed. But I couldn’t shake the foreboding sense as I opened the door.
When I did, all the breath left my body and the chill from outside ran deep into my bones. Frederick’s unpleasant smile greeted me. “Well, it’s about time I found you,” he said, pushing past me and into the cabin.
“You can’t be here,” I panicked. Not in here. This was Eric’s home. Not a single part of Frederick should be in here, contaminating everything he came in contact with.
“You?” Eric’s voice cut through as Frederick’s bodyguard shoved his way in as well.
“Consider me surprised when I find out you’ve been staying with the small-town café owner… even when I came through town two weeks ago and asked if he’d seen you.” Frederick’s cutting gaze went from Eric to me. “You played cat and mouse for longer than I’d given you credit for but I’m sick of the game.”
“You need to get the fuck out of my cabin,” Eric said, throwing an arm over my shoulder and pulling me back.
Frederick began to laugh, bemused and disgusted. “I should’ve known she’d have no issues with fucking the local old man for a place to stay as well.”
I flinched under his harsh words. I was shoved back, and Eric swung. I screamed as Frederick’s bodyguard lunged for Eric. Instinctively, I grabbed Shadow’s collar, the poor dog yelping as he was yanked back. No, no, no, if he got involved, they’d have him put down. Everything happened so fast that it took me a moment to try and figure out what I could do.
In his weakened state, the bodyguard easily grappled Eric to the ground in seconds, pinning him headfirst and twisting his arm behind him with a knee in his back. Eric looked feral, probably still groggy from the medication, as he gritted his teeth. Red began to seep through his bandages.
“Get off of him!” I screamed but Frederick stood in my way, coming between us—as Frederick always did. Bemused, he played with his glove, the power he held over me pinning me in place.
“What a disgrace. If you weren’t my betrothed, I’d publicize this humiliation and blackmail the Carrington family without a second thought.”
I flinched under his regard.
“What did you just say?” Eric growled as he tried to shove back the man holding him down. Suddenly, he seemed to have less resistance, more interested in Frederick’s reply. No, no, no. Tears streamed down my face as I held back Shadow, still keeping him safe, but ut it left Eric vulnerable and bleeding on the floor. His harsh green eyes met mine.
Frederick looked between us both and chuckled. “Oh shit, he really doesn’t know?” He clicked his fingers all the more amused. “Listen here, old man, I’m not sure if your little, small-town brain can comprehend the status and situation those from money have, but the little runaway you’ve been cozying up with is actually an heiress.” He pointed a delicate finger at me. “An heiress, that was promised to me when she turned twenty-six. We were meant to have the announcements and formalities dealt with already but someone decided to run away.”
“I hate you!” I screamed. Those three trembling words felt like the only form of defense I had against him. This ugly man that my parents had promised me to. All to bring two families together in fame and wealth. It disgusted every part of my being. He disgusted me. The moment our fathers had made the agreement on our behalf, Frederick’s polite mask wiped off and he’d only ever shown me this hideous thing beneath ever since.
“Ohhh but, wifey, you only have one job to serve.” He made sure not to step any closer as Shadow snapped and snarled, trying to wrangle free. “You will go through with the plan so I get my inheritance. I didn’t convince your parents to cut your funds and cell just for you to say no and walk away with some poor person. I’ll burn this fucking town down before I let you humiliate me any further.”
Tears welled in my eyes, not at his threats but the silence that overtook Eric. He wasn’t looking at me anymore. “Eric,” I said with a wobbly voice. “Please I can explain.”
“You lied.” His voice was distant. Miles away from me. Cold and reserved.
“Don’t believe him, I don’t want to go back. I won’t go back. I—”
“Is it true?” Eric asked pointedly and finally, his green gaze landed on me. I saw the mixture of hurt, grief, and anger all infused in one and I choked. “Are you engaged to this man?”
My mouth was dry. All words lost as I tried to hold back the tears, realizing that no matter what I said, he’d only compare me to Katia now. A woman and a snake. Someone who tricked him. A person like who he hated the most.
“Not officially but as soon as we return to Manhattan it will be. And you will be forgotten, nothing but the small-town trash you were raised to be.”
“Don’t speak to him like that!” I snapped, cowering on the floor as I held back Shadow. In fear for what they might do to him and me. I’d seen Frederick’s cruel side, a part of him that no one else saw. But I’d resigned myself to being a coward, because I found it easier to shout my hate at him than meet Eric’s gaze again and suffer under that hurt.
