Page 233 of Love Me in the Dark

The man she described reminded me of the David I’d met at camp. He stuck up for kids that couldn’t hold their own against bullies. Even if it meant having those jerks turn on him. Jason had been a member of his own scout tribe, but that didn’t stop David from stepping in to help me.

But that man contrasted with the man in the cabin. That David punished me. He kept me in a crate. He bathed me and treated me like a pet.

My cheeks heated as I considered the fact that I hadn’t hated it like I should have. Once I recognized him, once I knew who he was, the fear had diminished. What had started as a way to survive my captivity had grown into something more.

Something I didn’t want to understand yet.

“So, where are you from originally? What sort of work do you do?” Cherise asked while putting a can of soda on the table beside me.

“Oh. Uh. Chicago. I work at a library, a small branch library.” I opened the can and took a long sip, loving the feeling the bubbles gave me as they tickled my throat.

“A librarian?”

“No.” I shook my head. “I just reshelve books and work the checkouts for the kid’s department. Nothing fancy but it pays the bills.” I took another sip. And that’s all it did. Other than putting cash in my bank account every two weeks, I had no love for the job. A means to an end, that was all.

“Okay, Cherise. Scrappy is all set to go. Scott needs to make an appointment for two weeks from now and I’m sending him home with a care kit.” David appeared in the doorway, his eyes flicking toward me first. Probably to be sure I wasn’t halfway to the highway.

Cherise nodded. “Great. Thanks again for coming down.” She stopped in the doorway to turn back to me with a smile. “I hope to see you again, Gabriella. It was nice to meet you.”

“Same here, Cherise. And thanks for the soda.” I gestured toward the can on the table.

David stood frozen until she was gone. “Soda is full of sugar and caffeine. It’s going to be hell getting you down for your nap now.” His grin softened the sharpness of his tone.

“Funny,” I said and picked up the can to finish off the sweet drink. “Is Scrappy okay?” I asked him.

“He’s fine. Scott needed a little hand-holding, that’s all.” He looked down at my feet. “She found you something.”

“Yeah. If we’re going already, I can leave them.”

“No. Keep them. They’ve been back here forever. If someone finally realizes they forgot them, I’ll replace them.” He put out his hand for me. “But we do need to get back.”

“Of course.” I stepped toward him, slowly putting my hand in his.

He squeezed gently, then laced his fingers through mine and led me back to the truck. My opportunity for escape, if there had been one, was gone.

We drove back to the cabin in silence. I watched the trees as we passed them, rolling down the window to get some breeze and fresh air. Who knew when I might have this sense of freedom again? I pushed the idea away from my mind. Getting my future to line up with my present wasn’t working. As afraid as I was of what might happen, there was also a sense of calm. I was with David. How could something bad happen to me?

“Who the fuck?” David turned off the radio and slowed his truck as he pulled up the drive toward the cabin. A black Ford Bronco was parked outside the house with music blaring.

“Not a friend of yours?” I swallowed hard.

“No.” He parked the truck. “Stay here.” He reached over me to the glove compartment and removed a gun, tucking it in the back of his pants. “Don’t get out of the truck until I say so. Understood?”

“Wouldn’t it be better if I went inside?” I asked, glancing at the front door.

“Not until I know if anyone’s in there.” The driver’s side door creaked as he pushed it open. The door of the Bronco opened as well, and the driver hopped out.

David’s door slammed shut. He walked toward the front of his truck. I unbuckled my seat belt and leaned as far forward as I could to see the man making his way toward David.

My breath lodged in my throat, choking me.

Jason.

“Shit. You?” David laughed when he realized who was standing in front of him. Jason hadn’t changed, would never change. He was still the entitled little dick he’d always been. Dressed in a pair of designer jeans and black leather pointed boots, he stood in front of David with a look of superiority that he had no right having.

“What the hell are you doing here?” David asked, still forcing his tone to hold some levity, but I knew his mannerisms well enough to know when he was tense. And every bit of him was wound tight, ready to fight.

“I came to pick up my puppy. You got her ready for me?” Jason leaned forward, looking toward the truck where I was. He nodded. “There she is.” He held up a hand.