Page 41 of Bred

Grabbing the doorknob, I manage to yank it open before a large arm wraps around my middle pulling me off my feet. Screams fill the air as I kick and flail with everything I have. My fists pound against the strong arm holding me.

“Shhh, it’s okay.” The deep voice says breathily in my ear. Pulling me backwards into the house, he closes the door. With his attention on the door, I use the opportunity to ram my foot into his groin and he collapses to the floor with a groan. Wasting no time, my eyes find the fire poker next to the fireplace. Frantically, I dash across the room and hold it tightly in my grip like a baseball bat. The man is hunched over still and I decide to chance it and dart to the door around him. As I fling the door open, he grabs my ankle, rendering me off balance. With a thud, I nearly face plant the floor but manage to catch myself with my hands. A scream tears at my throat when he pulls on my ankle. Desperately, I kick back at him merely hoping to make contact. But his grip on my other tightens. Gripping the fire poker, with all my might, I twist and swing it, hitting the masked stranger across the head.

He grunts, his hold loosening from around my ankle. Scrambling to my feet, I dash to my car and get inside, slamming the door and clicking it locked. My heart sinks, the keys are still inside the cabin. Looking up, I see the man getting to his feet. Panic claws at my throat as I dart out of the car and into the woods desperate to hide somewhere. I’m not even sure where I’m going but I run. In my panicked state, I don’t stop until my legs give out sending me skidding across the cold hard ground.

My labored breaths are loud in the quiet forest. My hands shake but somehow, I manage to pull my phone to my ear.Please let me have enough service.Watching for signs of him I barely make out the feminine voice on the line as I dart my head from left to right. Whispering to her my location, she cuts in and out with sketchy phone service, but thankfully, I can hear her reassuring voice telling me that someone will be by soon.

CHAPTER EIGHT

HOLDEN

"HeyTom,thanksforthe call." Nodding to the police officer, I walk up with him to the door.

"Not a problem, Holden. It's good to see ya given the circumstances." He grimaced. "Holly would love it if you came by sometime for supper, we both would. It's been a while."

"I'd love to, just been busy with work.” Moving the conversation along, "How's the girl?"

A chuckle leaves him. "You never were much of a conversationalist, surprising since you’re a professor. Anyways, I haven’t spoken to her yet, thought I'd wait on you."

Annoyance prickles at me. If it was anyone else, I'd rip their head off for not checking on her sooner. But then again, I’d rip his head off for being alone with her too. The door opens and my chest tightens, my whole world starts spinning, seeing my reason for living standing there, her beauty shining through like a beacon warming me from the inside out. But the tears in her eyes and her arms curled around herself makes my gut churn with guilt.

"Miss Burnett, my name's Tom and this here is Holden Thatcher, the owner of the cabin. I called him because he knows this area better than anyone around. Him and his family own most of this mountainside."

“It’s you…” She whispers, her teary eyes widen in shock.

Her words make me freeze.How does she know?

“You want to repeat that honey?” Tom asks uncertainly.

Clenching my jaw at him calling her honey, I count back slowly from ten. A new technique I’m trying out where she’s concerned.

“Sorry, there was…a run in with a guy I was having trouble with. This man saved me.” Her eyes go from his to mine.

I relax, realizing she didn’t recognize me earlier.

She smiles briefly, “Please, call me Hailey.”

Stepping forward, I grab her hand in mine. "Are you okay? You're not hurt are you?" Staring into those mesmerizing green eyes, I desperately want to pull her into my arms.

Her eyes widen and a gasp leaves her pouty lips at my sudden nearness. "Uh...no. No, I'm fine." She chokes out. "I was just scared.” Pulling her hand from mine, she flashes me a small smile. “Please come on in."

“Thank you. For saving me that day.” Her sweet voice doesn’t hide the nerves.

Anything for you, love.

“You’re welcome.” Is all I can manage. Giving her my best smile.

"Come sit down sweetheart." Leading her by the hand, I wait for her to take a seat on the couch and ease down by her. I don't miss the curious glance Tom gives me. Ignoring him, I snag the blanket off the back of the couch and drop it around her shoulders. Thankfully it's long enough that it covers her bare thighs from Tom's view.

“Do you think we are dealing with the same man?”

My icy glare meets Tom’s surprised face. “No, it’s not. I made sure of it.” He watches me closely, then gives me a nod in understanding. He knows what else I do but has never asked me directly for details. I tend to take out the garbage making his life easier so he’s never interfered. A silent agreement if you will.

"Can you tell us what happened?" Tom studies her closely.

I know he's doing his job but he's still staring atmygirl. Gritting my teeth, I wait patiently to hear her soothing voice. Her sweet voice quivers as she goes over what happened and her hand starts shaking. My stomach sinks knowing I'm the reason for her fear but I had to set these events in motion. Anything to get her running into my arms. I'm a heartless bastard but damn it I've never wanted anything or anyone as much as I've wanted her. And I will do anything to make her mine.

Hearing her voice break, I can no longer sit still. Making her a cup of warm tea, my ears perk at Tom's question.