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“Brent gave me more food after that, at least. Once the infection cleared up, life carried on.”
Silas looked like he wanted to vomit, and Cole’s face was paler than milk. Only Tanner remained expressionless, but his gold eyes burned with rage. Whether that was rage at my stupidity for getting involved with Brent or rage at Brent for being a fucking psychopathic monster was unclear.
“Well, now you know how I got so ugly. I could go on, but we’d be here for weeks.” Ignoring the way my legs shook with adrenaline, I stood. We were done. They’d heard the worst of it. Hopefully, now they understood just how insane Brent was and they’d be on their guard in case he came looking for me.
I hoped he wouldn’t, but given my shit luck, it was just a matter of time before he appeared like a fucking cockroach. At least once I left, the guys would be safe.
The fire crackled behind me and in the corner, the tree Silas and I had decorated twinkled. Outside, the snow fell heavy and thick. I could smell the spicy stew Cole had made, bubbling away in the kitchen, but I had no appetite. All I wanted to do was sleep.
My eyes burned as I turned to leave, but Cole reached out and took hold of my arm, careful not to squeeze too hard.
“Eva, trust me when I say the very last thing you are is ugly.”
He was a sweet man, but I knew what I looked like. My scars were hideous. Brent had told me repeatedly, no man will want you. I believed him. Sure, my face was pretty enough, but my body?
No. Men liked women with smooth, unblemished skin. Not puckered, red skin marked with lines and raised lumps.
“It’s OK, you don’t need to make me feel better. I’ll be gone soon, anyway.”
Silas pulled me into his arms and the scent of him enveloped me like a warm cloud of pine and freshness. For a moment, I relaxed. He felt so good. So…right. But reality kicked me in the head like a bad-tempered mule and I tensed. Silas didn’t need a woman like me. A broken mess of a woman who came with a side order of trouble so bad it could get you killed. He was much better off without me.
“Relax, sugar. You’re not going anywhere. We got you. You’re safe.”
It seemed he saw things differently.
Eva
For the first time since Dad passed, I felt truly calm. Talking about everything Brent had done - all the vile ways he’d hurt me - had lanced a festering abscess and released some of the poison, allowing the wound to begin the healing process.
I was under no illusion that I was suddenly ‘cured’ of my trauma. That wouldn’t happen overnight. If at all. But at least the guys now knew what they were up against. They were aware Brent was no ordinary Joe.
As a cop, he had access to untold resources, as well as loyal buddies who’d back him if the shit hit the fan.
The best I could hope for was that Cole, Silas, and maybe Tanner would help me get to New York in the New Year, where I could disappear and make a new life for myself. I had nothing, but living a life that didn’t include Brent was enough.
I’d find a way. Get a job. Sure, I didn’t even have my high school diploma, but I’d worked in enough senior living facilities to have no problems getting that kind of work.
The sofa in the living room was supremely comfortable. It was my favorite place in the cabin, apart from the outside deck, where on a fine day, I could sit and enjoy the sounds of the forest.
Outside, night had fallen. For once, it wasn’t snowing. High above, the sky was inky black, sparkling with a million tiny stars.
After our talk, Tanner disappeared, Silas went for a run, and Cole tidied up the kitchen. He’d made venison stew, but none of us were hungry. Tales of torture were not conducive to a hearty appetite, apparently.
“You OK?” Cole appeared from the kitchen, a steaming mug in his hand.
“Yeah.” It wasn’t a lie for once.
He sat down beside me and gave me the mug. “Hot chocolate.” God, this man was amazing. How had some lucky woman not snapped him up yet?
“Thank you.” I chewed my lip a bit, searching for the right words. “For everything, not just the…hot chocolate.”
“You don’t need to thank me, Eva. And I’m sorry for walking in on you earlier. It was honestly not my intention to catch you with no clothes on.” He flashed me a smile and I couldn’t help but smile back.
“Really?”
He smirked. Then my smile faded. “Well, I’m sorry you had to see all that.” I gestured loosely at my torso, and he frowned.
“What are you talking about, Eva?”
