Page 18

Scarlett

I couldn’t do it.

I couldn’t wake up in that bed and pretend.

I don’t care what it costs me, what awful consequence there is, I had to get out.

My body trembles uncontrollably as I sit here, staring out across the water, at the land so far away. I know I tried to swim it once, I have some vague memory of the waves and the causeway, and of me almost drowning.

But despite that, despite how horribly wrong it went last time, I’m so tempted to just throw myself back in and if the water takes me, if I drown then so be it.

Because I can’t stay here.

I can’t do this.

Not after last night. Not after what Alex and his father did to me.

My chest heaves. My lungs become so tight I don’t think I can get any breath in.

How could he do this to me? What sort of person does this to anyone? Am I even sick, or is that a lie too? Is all of this some elaborate plot to keep me here?

I palm at my face, at my eyes, and all I can see is horrific moments, flashbacks.

Alex and his father. On top of me. In me.

How long have I been here, how long have they been hurting me? I don’t have a clue. It could be weeks, it could be months. God, what if it’s years? What if I’ve been trapped in this hell for years, and I didn’t even know?

I stare down at those vivid scars on my arms. Did they do that? Did they cut me up too? Were they not content with just raping me? Did they decide to slice me open as well?

I feel sick, I feel disgusted. And all the while that voice in my head keeps repeating that I have no escape. No way out.

I’m a prisoner here.

I have to get out of this place.

But how? How the fuck do I even manage it?

I get up, turning my back on the sea. It’s not been my friend up until now, so why the fuck would I think the situation would change today?

Besides, there’s a whole other side to the island I’ve not explored. Perhaps in the woods there might be something. Maybe there’s a boat, or something I can turn into a boat and I can use that to escape.

Maybe.

I’ll admit I don’t have high hopes, but I’m also not willing to simply do nothing.

It takes a good ten minutes to get to the trees, you can see this part of the island is left well alone. Ignored. Nature is allowed to do as it wants without any interference. It’s a far cry from the immaculately manicured gardens around the mansion.

The woods are a dark, tangled mess.

The air is cool and crisp, the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves fills my senses.

I walk aimlessly, my feet crunching over fallen twigs, my mind a whirlwind of fear and desperation.

Even if I do escape, what then? The Forster’s are one of the richest families in the country.

I don’t stand a chance against them. They’ve already got one doctor diagnosing me with a psychiatric illness.

It wouldn’t take much for them to convince the world that I’m just a sick woman making wild accusations.

And worse than all of that is I married him. I married Alex Forster. I can’t accuse them of shit without it coming right back on me. No, if I escape, if I somehow manage that miracle, then I have to disappear. I have to become a ghost.

And to do that, I need money – which I don’t have.

Suddenly, the hair on the back of my neck stands up, and a shiver runs down my spine.

It’s clear I’m not alone anymore.

I turn around slowly and a jolt of adrenaline courses through my veins as I see him standing there, leaning against a tree. The spade in his hand is dirty, muddy, like he’s just used it to bury a body.

Christ, have I just stumbled upon a murder scene on top of everything else?

Maybe he’s burying some more family heirlooms, or was about to dig them up, about to sneak them off the island and make a quick buck?

His dark eyes bore into mine and that tell-tale predatory smile plays on his lips.

“Going somewhere, princess?” Rafe calls out.

Fear grips me, but I refuse to let it show. Haven’t these arseholes tormented me enough?

“I’m just taking a walk,” I reply, my voice steady despite the god damn pounding of my heart.

He leans the spade lazily against the trunk and takes a step closer, his gaze raking over me in a way that makes my adrenaline spike further. “In the woods? All alone? Come on now, you know that’s not safe.”

As if he gives a fuck what’s safe. As if he’s concerned about protecting me?

I back away, my instincts screaming at me to run. But I know that Rafe is faster, stronger. There’s no outrunning him even on a good day.

“I can handle myself,” I say, though the words feel as hollow as they sound.

He laughs, the sound echoing off the trees. “Is that so? Because from where I’m standing, you look like you’re lost. And we both know what your husband would say if he knew where you were.”

The threat of Alex seems to hang between us. The way he says the word ‘husband’ is like it’s an insult.

“I’m not lost,” I retort, squaring my shoulders. “And I’m allowed to walk where I want.”

“Are you now?” he taunts before lunging at me, his hand closing around my wrist because my reactions are too damn slow.

I struggle against his grip, but it’s like trying to break free from iron shackles. “Let go of me.” I demand, my voice rising in panic.

He yanks me toward him, his breath hot against my ear as he stares so intently into my eyes that I can’t take it.

Fury. Frustration. Pure fucking anger surges in me and I slam my knee into his leg as hard as I can.

Fuck them. Fuck the Forsters. I hope they all fucking die.

He groans, loosening his grip just enough for me to slip free.

I seize the chance, taking off running, my heart pounding in my chest as I weave through the trees. But Rafe is right on my heels, his laughter filling the air as he gives chase.

“Run, little red riding hood,” he calls out, his voice just as low and gravelly as a beast. “The big bad wolf is very hungry today.”

The branches whip against my cheek, drawing stinging lines of fire across my skin, but I don’t slow down. I can’t. The consequences of doing so are far too catastrophic to bear.

Beneath my feet, sharp stones cut into my feet like knives.

I can hear Rafe getting closer, his footsteps heavy and deliberate as he chases me down. Every step is a torment, a taunt, a reminder that I have nowhere to go, nowhere to run that will be safe.

“You know how this story ends, don’t you?” He calls out. His words are a cruel reminder of my predicament. That I’m the prey, and he’s the hunter.

But I won’t make it easy for him.

I won’t go down without a fight.

I burst through a thicket, my lungs burning as I gasp for air. The woods are a maze, and I have no idea where I’m bloody going. All I know is that I need to keep moving, to put as much distance between Rafe and me as possible.

Only, suddenly, the ground is gone, where my feet land there is nothing and I’m stumbling, falling, screaming as I tumble over with the dirt rushing up to meet me.

I land hard, the impact knocking the wind right out of me. I try to scramble to my feet, but it’s too late. Rafe is on me, turning me over, using his hands to pin my wrists to the undergrowth while he straddles me with his massive frame.

I thrash, kick and fight with every ounce of strength I have left, but it’s a losing battle. It was from the very start.

“Please,” I beg, my voice breaking with the weight of my defeat.

“Please, what?” He says back, staring down at me with all the mercy of a psychopath.

“You know what your father and brother are doing to me.” I gasp, using the only cards I have left. “Why won’t you help me?”

His grip tightens, his gaze a storm of emotions I can’t even begin to understand. “And why should I? What makes you so special, huh?”

I swallow hard, my mind racing, grasping.

While he’s always been intimidating, he’s never been directly involved in my abuse—at least, not that I remember. If I could convince him, if I could appeal to whatever shred of decency might lurk beneath that cold exterior, is it possible to turn him to my side?

I know he and Alex hate one another. Surely, I can leverage that, use that? Play them off against one another?

This could be my only chance.

This could be what saves me.

“Because you’re not like them,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “You’re not a monster.”

I don’t even know how true that is. He certainly looks far more dangerous than either his brother or his father do, but looks can be deceiving, right?

For a moment, he seems taken aback, his eyes searching mine for something, anything. Then he laughs, a cold, mirthless sound that chills me right to the bone.

“I’ll do anything,” I plead, desperation seeping into my words. “Just please, help me get out of here. Help me get away from them.”

He leans in, his lips brushing against my ear, and my body shudders in an entirely different way. “Anything, huh? That’s a dangerous promise to make, Little Bird.”

I nod, swallowing hard. “I mean it. I’ll do whatever you want. Just please, please help me.”

He releases me suddenly, pushing me away from him as he gets to his feet. “Fine,” he says, his eyes gleaming with dark amusement. “On your knees.”

I stare up at him, confusion and horror washing over me. “Wwwhat?”

“You heard me well enough.” he growls, undoing his belt. “If you want my help, you’re going to have to prove that you’re worth the effort.”

“Prove it?” I hiss. He’s just as bad as them, just as morally fucked up.

I curse myself for my stupid miscalculation while my eyes dart behind him, desperately hoping for some mercy I know will not come.

He pulls his cock out and it’s already semi-hard, thick, veiny, with a hint of precum at the very tip that tells me he’s getting off on this powerplay.

“You want me to be your hero,” He says, holding it right in front of me. “Then you’ll get on your fucking knees and worship me as that.”