Page 21

CHAPTER

FOURTEEN

ERIN

The annual golf tournament is a day for all members to invite their family to the golf club.

Really, it’s an excuse to throw a lavish celebration and ensure members sign up for another year.

Dad secretly detests golf, but he plays to keep up appearances.

The club is a frequent jaunt for the Pasturesville elite, where the most influential people do business.

“Stop fussing,” Mom says, batting my hand to stop me from adjusting my dress while simultaneously fluffing her hair. “You look lovely.”

She’s forced me into a red knee-length gingham sundress that cinches at the waist with a green cardigan and white sandals. I’m like a character from Little House on the Prairie , which isn’t helped by the tight bun knotted at the nape of my neck.

“I don’t feel it,” I grumble.

Dad strides ahead of us to greet his golfing buddies on the opposite end of the veranda.

The club house is a giant building nestled among rolling green courses, featuring a spa, fine dining restaurant, and bar.

The day always starts with a drinks reception and light refreshments, followed by a brief tournament.

There are golf cart rides for young children, alongside a magician and bouncy house to give parents a break.

I check my phone.

MIA: Can’t make it. Oliver’s taking me to the city for a surprise shopping spree. Enjoy!

“Put your phone away,” Mom hisses. “It’s time to socialize.”

Dad shakes hands with Robert Gilsmear, a wealthy CEO of a pharmaceutical company that supplies the asylum. Their relationship goes back years.

“It’s always a pleasure to see you,” Dad says to him. “I’m sure I can count on your attendance at Sunnycrest’s upcoming event.”

“Of course.” Robert grins, showing off his new veneers. They’re too big for his face, reminding me of a shark from an animated film. “You can always count on me.”

I groan inwardly. How could I have forgotten about the Sunnycrest annual mixer? The only plus point about the event is Dad being out of the house more during preparations.

“Jocelyn!” Robert extends his arms to my mother. She simpers as he plants kisses on her cheeks. “And Erin, look at you!” He steps back to survey me. “How you’ve grown!”

His beady-eyed look makes me glad I’m wearing a conservative outfit. My inner alarm bells sound. Robert gives me the serious creeps.

“I still need a caddy for the tournament,” Robert says. “What do you say, Erin?”

I glance nervously at my father. He’s smiling, but he’d prefer me to be glued to his side all day.

“I don’t know if Erin has the—” Dad begins.

“I’d love to,” I interrupt, going against all my instincts.

The smile he returns churns my stomach.

This is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for. If my masked stalkers want to act overprotective, this is a man I won’t feel bad punishing.

“Perfect.” Robert claps his hands gleefully. “We’ll tee off at ten. I will see you on the course, Miss Acacia.”

“That was kind of you to offer, Erin,” Mom says.

“I know he’s an important asset for Sunnycrest,” I say.

Dad’s eyes narrow, going into shrink mode and trying to psychoanalyze me like one of his patients. It’s an uncomfortable sensation, but a familiar one.

“Oh, look, there’s Nate’s mom!” Mom waves at her. “We have to say hello to our neighbors, Magnus.”

She steers him away by the arm, giving me a rare moment of silence. I accept a glass of lemonade from the server and sip it, leaning against the fence overlooking the course. There are plenty of secluded areas and shrubbery. Are Eli and the others out there?

“Erin!” I jump as Robert’s slimy hand snakes around my waist. “It’s time for us to go.”

“Sure,” I say, forcing a bright smile.

The game doesn’t start for an hour.

He leads me to a waiting golf cart and puts on aviator sunglasses, which he thinks make him look cool. His clubs are already loaded to save me from carrying them.

“Your carriage awaits,” he announces.

He slips into the driver’s seat next to me and drapes one ham-like arm around my chair. My nose crinkles from his strong cologne that does a terrible job at masking his BO. He slides closer, pushing me into his sticky armpit.

“We’re starting on hole fourteen,” he says, hitting the gas. It’s the farthest hole from the clubhouse and renowned as the hardest on the course. “The other golfers will meet us there.” His piggy eyes gleam like he’s about to eat. “It’ll be good to practice before the others join us.”

“Yes, Mr. Gilsmear,” I chirp.

My jaw aches from maintaining my fake smile.

“Please, call me Robert.”

“Have fun, Erin!” Mom calls, waving us off as we speed past.

“We will,” Robert says. His chubby fingers squeeze my shoulder and linger a little too long.

I’ve heard rumors about his appetite for young women.

Due to his position, people brush the speculations off.

Instead of calling him a pervert, like they should, they brand him an ‘eccentric’.

Even if he were caught, he has enough cash to brush anything under the carpet without consequences.

His wife, who I haven’t met, is ten years his junior.

Mia swears she saw Mrs. Gilsmear hooking up with their gorgeous gardener once.

Like many wives, she’s probably unhappy, but won’t leave her husband for fear of losing her comfortable life.

“How is school?” Robert asks. “You must be, what, eighteen now?”

“Yes,” I reply. “It’s going well.”

“Your father told me you’re shaping up to be a musical prodigy,” he says.

We whizz along the perfectly maintained grass, through sloping hills, past the sandbanks, and around the edge of the small lake.

Are they watching us? I keep expecting to see a masked face, but there’s no sign of them so far.

“He’s exaggerating,” I say. “Playing the piano is just a hobby.”

“You’re so modest!” He slaps my knee, not noticing my flinch. “I’m looking to hire a music tutor for my son. He’s only eight, and he already plays the violin, piano, and flute. The little tyke can’t decide which is best. He wants it all—a real chip off the old block!”

“He sounds very talented,” I reply.

We take a left, trundling over uneven ground. Robert steals a glance at my chest, watching my breasts bob with the motion.

“My wife is convinced we have the next Mozart on our hands!” He laughs. “Do you tutor in your spare time?”

“My schedule is pretty busy,” I say. “My dad takes my studies seriously, so I don’t have time for a job.”

“I could have a word with him?” he offers. “You’d fit right in at our house.”

I say nothing as we come to a halt at the hole.

“Why don’t you help with my clubs?” he suggests.

We’re in a deserted area, a row of conifers hides us from view. Maybe this wasn’t my best idea…

His golf bag is huge. Based on my size, there’s no way I’ll be able to carry it single-handedly. I strap on my big girl panties and remember why I’m doing this. The masked men know something about Sarah. I need answers.

“Here.” Robert places a lecherous hand on the small of my back as I attempt to haul the bag off the cart with a huff. His breath sends shivers down my neck. “Let me help you.”

Not wanting to give up so easily, I tug the bag, causing them to fall with a crash.

Robert chuckles. “What am I going to do with you?”

I smile sweetly, ignoring my inner feminist and twirling a strand of hair around my finger the way I’ve watched girls flirt in the movies. “I’m such a klutz.”

He checks his gold Rolex. The watch would look oversized on most people, but his large wrists make it look tiny.

“We still have time before the opposition arrives,” he says. “Why don’t we have a friendly game?”

“Golfing isn’t my forte,” I reply. “Music is my thing.”

His face lights up. This is the response he hoped for. “I’m a great teacher.” He winks and hands me a club. “Here.”

I grasp it and focus on the hole, despite knowing I won’t get anywhere near it.

Robert sidles up to me like a mangy cat, marking its territory. He slips his sweaty hands around my body and positions them on top of mine. “Let me show you how to swing.”

I grit my teeth as something stirs in his pants against me. He wriggles his hips against my ass to get into position.

I scan the trees for movement. Where are you? They said I was theirs. This is their chance to prove it.

Robert guides my arms, and I strike the ball. It soars through the air, straight over the hill, landing in a cluster of trees. He steps away, clapping and pretending his erection hadn’t been rubbing against me moments before.

“Bravo, Erin!” He applauds. “We’ll make a champion of you yet! Next, we need to work on your aim.”

I pass him a club. “Your turn.”

“Oh no, I need to conserve my energy for the game.” His eyes twinkle. “Into the cart!”

He gives my ass a friendly pat as I turn. Now I really want to see his hand removed.

My bright yellow ball is easy to find. Unfortunately, it strayed farther off course than I first thought, landing at the bottom of a large tree between gnarled roots.

“It’ll be impossible to get out of that spot,” I comment.

“Nonsense,” he says. “All you need is special skill and training.”

I brace myself, getting into position again.

“Before you hit, you need to practice your swing,” he says, standing behind me.

“We need to get your rotation right.” He gropes my hips, pushing his disgusting hardness against me and rotating our bodies in sync.

“See?” His fingers dig into my flesh. “All you have to do is bend forward a little to get that shift.” He tilts me forward.

“Oh yeah, Erin. Just like that.” He wiggles his hips to rest his dick right between my ass cheeks.

“What do you think of golf, Erin?” His voice grows hoarse with sickening arousal.

“Do you think you’re getting the hang of it? ”

“I think I’m ready to swing now, Mr. Gilsmear,” I say coldly.

“Oh, not yet, Erin.” He continues wiggling himself back and forth. “You’re not in the right position yet. Just bend a little more to get your back arched and shuffle back.”

I stay frozen in place, horror-stricken as he continues moving in a rhythmic motion. His breathing grows ragged, filling me with disgust. He’s using me. Sure, that’s what the guys in the masks do, but there’s something thrilling about them. Being gyrated on by a geriatric is quite different.

“I’m an excellent teacher, aren’t I? You’re built for sport. You’re wasting yourself hiding behind a piano. A girl with a body like yours could do anything,” he purrs. “I can teach you about more than golf, if you’d like?”

“I…”

A snapping twig makes Robert jump back and clear his throat, looking nervously at the rustling bushes. While he’s distracted, I swing the club hard and launch the ball in the opposite direction.

In the distance, someone calls his name.

“It looks like the game is about to start,” I say, relieved to be spared from any extra one-on-one tuition.

“That it is,” Robert says, pretending like he hasn’t just creamed in his pants. “May the best man win.”

I spin, hoping to see a masked man emerge from the undergrowth, but no such luck…

My stomach rolls, both from disgust at what happened and for putting myself in that position.

The men are turning me into a person I don’t recognize, and I can’t get them out of my head, no matter how hard I try. Worse still, why am I so disappointed by their absence when it would be best for them to stay out of my life for good?