Page 472 of Lessons in Cruelty

I step closer, flexing my hands in and out of fists.

She doesn’t know what’s coming.

It’s time I reminded her exactly who she belongs to. Who she’s always belonged to. Not Rooke. Not anyone else who’s touched her since she left Agony Hollow.

Haven Lee isn’t just running from me.

She’s running from the truth.

She’s mine.

Always has been.

Always fucking will be.

Chapter 53

Haven

Melissa’s going to kill me. When I couldn’t find a rock to throw through the window, I wrapped her bougie jacket around my fist and punched it out.

My plan worked, but there were casualties.

RIP Chanel.

Maybe they’ll join her Prada’s in heaven, the ones I ditched when they kept snagging against foliage.

Since it’s already fucked, I use the wadded-up jacket to clear away the jagged shards of glass still clinging to the window frame, then reach inside to feel for a latch.

Seconds later, I’m carefully climbing through the window, trying not to cut my feet on the glass scattered on the floor inside.

There’s a chance Kai might follow me here.

Which means I have a minute, maybe two, to figure out if there’s anywhere to barricade myself…

Damn it.

This cabin looked a lot bigger from the outside.

It’s all one big open area—the kitchen, the living space, the bedroom. No separate room with a door, like I’d hoped.

Except for one tiny, walled-off area in a far corner that I’m assuming is the bathroom.

And that door looks mighty flimsy.

Shit!

I rush to the other side of the lodge, flattening myself against the wall so I can peek through the window.

The spotlight makes the shadows between the trees that much darker.

Kai could be anywhere.

Unless he gave up.

I run to a different window and peek out. The spotlight is shining on the other side of the cabin, creating a long shadow that almost reaches the trees. That would be the best escape route, and since I’ve established this cabin is more a prison than a fort, I don’t have a choice but to climb out and head back into the trees.

My hand goes to the latch, my lips pursing as I try to open it.