Page 69 of Handsome Devil

I decided to disappear inside the woodlands adjacent to his property. The gated community boasted a natural reservoir that stretched for acres across a cliff.

A few advantages worked for me. Darkness fell with no natural or artificial light outside, so the night could cloak me. The grass was fresh and damp beneath my feet, so my footsteps were soundless. And I was a very good runner. Years of training diligently meant I could outrun most men I knew.

I bolted deep into the woods, putting more distance between Tate’s house and me. I kept my arms outstretched to avoid colliding with objects. It was pitch-black.

I knew I managed to lose him due to the absence of noise coming from behind me. I whipped my head over my shoulder to make sure. There was no one behind me. The forest was cold and thickly threaded with trees. My feet sank into the muddy ground, slowing me down. My muscles were sore. I needed to find my way out of these woods at some point, and I had no idea where they started or ended.

And then I heard them.

The unmistakable howling of hungry…wolves? No. There weren’t any wolves in New York.

Hyenas laughed from the shadows, the sound of them seeping into my ears like they were a hairsbreadth away.

I stumbled to a stop, surveying my surroundings as best I could. My skin was ice-cold, but my body was hot and slick with sweat. From beyond a thick tree trunk, I caught a glimpse of two eyes glowing in the dark. They danced like fireflies.

The eyes moved in my direction.

Slowly. Nearer. Closer.

Lungs burning, muscles quivering, I careened sharply to the right before they could tear me to shreds.

Even as I sprinted, I knew it was no use. I couldn’t outpace a coyote. But I refused to go down without a fight. I gained more speed, their barks and yowls bouncing off the treetops. I pierced through the air, racing faster,faster. So quick it was too late for me to order my legs to stop moving when I realized Iwas barreling straight toward the edge of a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and to my own demise.

No. No. NO.

My last thought was Mum. Who would take care of her? Read to her? Brush her hair?

This was where my life ended and hers too. She’d become the state’s problem. Tossed into an institution—maybe back on a plane to England—to spend her remaining days alone.

An agonized scream ripped through my throat. The ground slipped beneath my feet. My legs hovered over air, nothing beneath them to catch me. My body sank, yielding to gravity. I squeezed my eyes shut, claying into stone.

A rough tug yanked me back to land. The coyotes must’ve gotten the collar of my coat. I covered my face in my palms, petrified, before I felt my body soaring through the air, flying. I slammed against a surface. Hot and sweaty and alive. The texture of beastly muscles vibrated between my thighs.

No. Not coyotes.

I was on top of a horse that was galloping forward.

Behind me was my husband, steering the reins skillfully, my body boxed between his huge arms. My back was flush against his torso. I could feel his heart drumming rapidly.

It was the only proof I had he was mortal. Alive.

The beast whirled around abruptly and dashed straight toward the two coyotes that chased me. They scurried in different directions, whimpering their submission. Tate tugged at the reins and straightened his legs forward in the stirrups, mindful not to hurt the coyotes. We rode so fast the wind slapped my face, making it hard for me to draw a breath.

My thoughts swam inside my head.

My husband was a murderer.

But he saved me from certain death.

And he had a chance to run over these coyotes yet left them unharmed.

“Apologies for the bareback. I had no time to saddle.”

Tate’s warm breath caressed the back of my sweaty neck. Each gallop reverberated along my spine. Tears rushed down my cheeks. I was petrified, shaken, and angry.

At him, for everything he was putting me through.

At myself, for not being able to escape him.