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Frederick laughed. “You really were always so naïve, sheltered and a brat. Just do as you’re fucking told for once and make it easier for both of us. Do you truly plan on running away forever? What can you possibly do on your own other than just sleep around? That’s all you’ve ever been good for.”
“Jealous because it’s never been you?” I snarled with all the acid I could muster.
His smile twisted, revealing his hideous nature. It reminded me far too much of the week after my twenty-first birthday. It was my first memory of seeing Frederick like this, his cruel and vile intentions seeping through. A powerful man who would do more harm than good. A memory I’d run away from for years now.
We’d both been at a party and despite our parents agreeing to a pre-organised marriage, I still didn’t want to get to know him any further. Tears pricked at my eyes when I thought about him pinning me against the wall, hidden away from other members of the party.
“You’re mine and you will give me what I want” he sneered.
“I won’t sleep with you,” I hissed. “Get off me.”
Slap. The cold air and his palm struck me. I clutched at my face, the alcohol in my system and the hit forcing the room to sway. Or was that me?
“You’ve never been pretty in the first place. I was showing you a mercy tonight. I hope I don’t have to see you for another five years until our wedding day. Fucking disgusting.” He walked away, my shallow breaths felt like they were bringing in the walls as I slid down it, holding my burning face.
Had I been only good for one thing? Was this what my loveless marriage would look like? Tears streamed down my face. How could my parents give me over to someone so cruel and all in the name of status and growth? And as much as I’d hated the sting on my cheek, I’d welcomed it. Relieved he’d hit me and walked away instead of the alternative. Terrified that he might not have stopped and taken something that was never his to take.
I’d wrapped my arms around myself and cried, disgusted that I was so pitiful but determined to find someone that genuinely loved me and cared. That I wouldn’t be an item shipped around, that I had a meaning to someone. That I wasn’t only judged for my looks or last name.
The few years after that were hell, Frederick was everywhere, sneering at me from the shadows but boasting his glee in front of friends publicly. Every party and every event. We had the same friends and circles. I’d just become known as the party girl when he’d become known as some golden goose to watch out for. My father’s eyes sparkled with pride that he’d made the right investment.
And so, I ran away to Manhattan determined to find a man who would actually love me. To prove to my parents that they were wrong. That I wasn’t just some bargaining chip and marriage was something to be cherished and filled with love, respect, and passion. And yet here I was… Him and me in the same room again. The only reason his hand probably wasn’t raised to me was because of the snapping and snarling dog that came between us.
A tear slid down my cheek, my only focus now Eric. I was terrified as to what Frederick might do to me, but this wasn’t Eric’s mess. I’d only brought trouble to him.
“I didn’t mean to lie,” I squeaked. I’d only brought him pain, literally as he bled on the floor of his own cabin. This retreat he frequented. I’d tarnished it unknowingly because I’d been selfish and tried to run away from my own responsibilities. “Eric, please look at me.” But I could feel he’d already slipped through my fingertips, leaving me as cold as the air sweeping through the front door in the early hours of the morning. “Eric, I don’t love him. I love you.”
Frederick laughed. “You’d really let anything put its dick inside of you, wouldn’t you?”
Eric tried to wriggle free, but he was shoved painfully back down. The bodyguard was straining but I could only stare as the bandage thickened with red.
“She lied to you, dude. And you fell for it.”
Silence. Eric’s face was shoved into the floor. Tears streaked my cheeks. I wanted to hold him and say that I was sorry but I felt the distance stretch further between us. A layer of ice keeping me further away. My warm-hearted lumberjack had frosted over again, and I only had myself to blame. I was no better than the con woman who tricked him the first time.
“I swear to God, Cassidy if you don’t get off the fucking floor and get in the car, I’ll demolish this entire town.”
Eric and I both flinched under that statement, and I knew with painful clarity that if Frederick threw a big enough tantrum, he had the money, power, and status to do it.
“Please don’t hurt anyone,” I begged. This was because I’d run away, not anything they’d done.
Frederick pointed at me. “Get off the floor. And you, shithead.” He pointed at Eric. “If you or your fucking mutt try anything I’ll put a bullet in both of your heads.”
I flinched at his words. And then Frederick’s cruel smile stretched. “But don’t worry, wifey, nothing will ever happen to you. The golden child of Mr. Carrington. We can’t have anything happen to his precious daughter.”
The bodyguard slowly stood. Eric shook him off and stood painfully, his limp more pronounced.
“Eric, I’m sorry,” I cried. He looked away from me and my heart thudded to the floor.
“I really don’t like having to raise my voice and go to these measures,” Frederick said, adjusting his gloves. “But you’ve really created some trouble for me this time. So, get in the car and we’ll pretend like none of this happened, okay?”
“Eric,” I cried out again. But he was already lost to me. Slowly, he walked over, and my heart froze as he gently slipped his hand around Shadow’s collar and took a step back. I choked on a sob.
“I won’t let anything happen to this town,” he said, finally eyeing me. “And you know I don’t believe in fairy tales. If I had just been some fun for you to pass the time, then let’s leave it at that.”
“It wasn’t—”
“Leave!”
