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Rowan checked the lock on the door again before heading to bed. For some reason, she felt off, like maybe someone was watching her. She’d felt that way all day. There was no way anyone had been watching her all day long. She was making it up, had to be.

She pushed the weirdness away as she pulled the covers up, wishing Shine was with her. She missed him so much. Tears gathered in her eyes. Since meeting Shine, she'd been too emotional. In her work, she had to stay detached, or at least somewhat detached.

With her thumb, she wiped the tears from her eyes. Shine had opened her to deep emotions, and she welcomed them, but those emotions were uncomfortable. Having so many feelings was unsettling. Normally, she kept them bottled up inside. It was easier to control when she didn't really feel anything. But with Shine in her life, she was feeling everything.

She punched her pillow, trying to get comfortable enough to sleep. Maybe she should just get up and read something. That usually helped her when she couldn’t sleep.

Rowan stretched then grunted, deciding it would be better to get out of bed rather than spend an hour tossing and turning.

She heated water for tea and grabbed a study she needed to read when she heard something at her door. She paused, fear filling her. Why was someone trying to break in?

Her pulse raced, and her muscles clenched. She'd left her phone in her bedroom, which had seemed like a good idea at the time so it would charge while she slept, but she hadn't grabbed it when she'd gotten up to read.

Another round of fear hit when she realized she would be asleep right now if she hadn’t felt off. At least now she had a chance to fight back. The thought got her moving, but it was too late. The door opened, and she screamed.

She spun and tried to run to her room and grab her phone, but she slipped, going down hard on one knee. She let out a screech as she heard his heavy footfalls drawing closer.

Rowan glanced over her shoulder, panic clogging her throat. He was on her. His hand pulled at her shoulders, and she tried to fight, but it was no use. He was stronger.

He pulled her to him, his chuckle chilling her to the bone.

“You’ll do what I say or pay.”

The voice. She recognized it. She didn't have a chance to say anything before pain blossomed on the side of her head, and everything went dark.

He'd done it. He had her in the trunk, and he was on the way to the cabin. Charles's throat tingled with excitement. The feeling rose, and for a moment, lights flashed in front of him. He took his foot off the gas pedal and slowed as he forced himself to calm down.

The last thing he needed was to get into a wreck with her in his trunk. He prided himself on operating in a cool and calm manner. That was the only way he’d get his job back. She had to see that he could handle pressure.

He thought about stopping for a milkshake, which usually calmed him down fast, but he pressed on. Getting Doctor Kays to the cabin was paramount. Then he could leave and get a milkshake and gather his thoughts.

For the rest of the drive, he fantasized about how he would prove to the doctor that he could handle his job. Once she saw how in control he could be, she would sign the paperwork granting him his old job back.

When he had his job back and was at work, he would show Kaminski exactly who was smarter. No doubt, he would be able to prove he was smarter, and he would not only get his job back, he would replace the jerk. It was totally unfair that they hadn’t given him the promotion. He deserved it more than Kaminski.

Charles was so deep into his fantasy about beating Kaminski that he almost missed the exit. He needed to keep it together. Sure, it would be satisfying to show Kaminski who was boss, but he had to get Doctor Kays to sign off on his paperwork first. Once she realized the mistake she'd made, he could get back to work, and everything would be okay.

He stopped in front of the cabin and sighed. Step one of his plan had worked. He had the prize. Now, all he had to do was get her inside and set up. He'd used his drill to place a U bolt into the floor and had enough chain she could reach the bathroom, the kitchen, and the couch. When he had to leave her alone, she could take care of herself, but she wouldn't be able to leave the cabin. The chain was a better solution than his first thought of securing her to the bed. If he'd done that, he would have had to stay at the cabin all the time. This way, he could come and go, but she wouldn't be able to escape.

He stepped from the car, not hearing any sound from the trunk. He took time to unlock the door and flip on a light before going to get her. Again, the tingling sensation was back as excitement coursed through him. He couldn’t wait to prove to Doctor Kays that he was fit to work.

Charles popped the trunk open and jumped back as she flung something at him. Pain slashed as whatever she’d tossed at him clipped his elbow. Shock hit next as he realized she was scrambling up, trying to escape the trunk of the car. If she got away from him, she would be lost in the forest. That couldn’t happen. He didn’t want her out in the wilderness running around. She could get hurt out there.

There was no other option than to hit her. He cocked his arm back and swung, striking her cheek. Her head flew back, hitting the trunk lid. She crumpled in a heap in the trunk.

“Oh shit, I didn’t mean to hit you so hard. I’m so sorry.”

Of course, she didn't respond. She'd been knocked out. He'd hit her too hard. He needed to find a new way to control her. Maybe he should buy a zapper, something to give her a little electric shock to make her obey. It had worked for him growing up. When his mom brought out the prod, he would do whatever she told him to do. He'd hated that thing, but his mom got the point across. He had to do what she wanted or else. He would go out today and get the prod. That would make Doctor Kays do what he wanted.

He carried her inside and positioned her on the couch, brushing her hair out of her face. She looked so peaceful. He leaned in and brushed his lips against hers.

Charles jerked back, panic filling him. Why had he done that? He jumped up and wiped his hand over his mouth, removing the feel of her soft lips against his. That wasn’t why she was here. He couldn’t go down that road again. That had ended badly. A memory sharpened—him standing over a hole he’d dug, her body flung in, the dirt he’d shoveled in to cover her.

A shiver worked through him, and he pushed the memory down. Focus was needed to complete his task. He had to get Doctor Kays to submit the paperwork clearing him. The prod would make that easier. He could do this, and no one would be the wiser. Then he would have his job back, and everything would be good.

He turned to leave, almost tripping over the U bolt. “Stupid idiot.” He’d almost forgotten to attach the chain. That would have been disastrous. She could have run out into the wilderness and gotten hurt. He didn’t want her hurt. His heart squeezed as he stared down at her. She needed him to watch after her.

He moved the heavy chain to the couch and closed the shackle around her ankle, locking it closed with a padlock. His fingers lingered on her leg. Her skin was so soft. He ran his fingers up to her knee, then her thigh. The feel of her smooth skin made him hot. He leaned down and kissed her thigh. She smelled good, like vanilla and spices.

A moan from her had him jerking back. It wasn’t time for that now. She couldn't escape, and she would have to listen to him. Once she made this right, everything could go back to normal.