Page 62 of Fated to Her

“Dad made some bread while you were asleep. And jam.” Emery points to the end of the bench. “Always hated that thing.”

I look at her, wondering what she’s talking about. She lifts her dress, revealing her thigh, the burn matching that of the thing Cyrus is holding.

“Used to be Mom’s favorite branding iron,” Emery says before pulling her dress down.

Cyrus cuts the bread and places it on the prongs. He then holds it over the fire, and I realize what it’s for.

“Don’t you do this, Addie. The handle has fallen off. The metal gets quite hot,” Cyrus tells me.

“We can head into town. There’s a small town two hours’ run inland,” Emery tells him.

“Will see what Eli says. I don’t want to aggravate him. I doubt he’ll let me take Addie with me.” Cyrus blows on the bread when a piece catches fire. He turns it between his fingers.

“I will talk to Eli. Addie can stay with him. At least then we can grab some things and run back,” Emery tells him.

“Sounds like an idea. Will you be alright with Eli?” Cyrus asks, turning to me.

I nod, not that I have a choice, but I know he won’t hurt me, not intentionally at least.

The front door opens, and Eli walks in. He appears calmer when I realize he has blood on his hands.

“What happened?” Emery asks.

“Porter just running his mouth,” Eli tells her.

“I take it he won’t be back chatting again,” Emery says.

“Not if he wants to keep his tongue.”

Cyrus hands me the toasted bread with jam on it. I sniff it, having never eaten homemade bread before.

“Give the old man one thing. He makes the best bread,” Eli says, nodding to it.

I take a bite and find it tastes nice; it is thick. Even toasted, it is soft, the butter melting all through it with chunky bits of strawberry from the jam he’s made.

“When you’re done eating, I want to take you somewhere,” Eli says.

I nod.

Emery turns to him, making her own toast. “Cyrus and I are going to run into town to grab some things.”

“Be back before dark and grab a sat phone. We may be able to get reception out here. I’m sure Addie wants to talk to her mother,” Eli tells them.

Chapter 18

• Adeline •

After breakfast, Cyrus and Emery get dressed and venture out, leaving me alone with an on-edge Eli. His behavior is manic; the slightest movement I make does not go unnoticed by him. He’s always watching like he’s expecting someone to jump out any moment and assassinate me. Maverick keeps his distance and doesn’t come into the house all day, nor do I leave except to go to the toilet. Even then, Eli is waiting outside the door. He’s suffocating me.

I want to leave the room. If I had known it was going to be like this, I would have taken my chances with Sam in the city. I’m literally twiddling my thumbs staring at the wall because there is nothing to do—no TV, no books, absolutely nothing, and it is driving me crazy with boredom. Shifting on the bed, Eli’s eyes fly open from where he is sitting on the wooden chair by the door. He looks at me before closing his eyes again and leaning his head against the wall. Cyrus says I’m no prisoner, but I sure as hell feel like one—not only am I locked in a room, but he’s guarding the door.

“Can we go for a walk or something?” I ask.

Eli sighs, sitting up and leaning his elbows on his knees. He says nothing, just runs his fingers through his hair. He has barely said anything all day.

“Didn’t you want to go somewhere this morning?” I ask him.

“Where do you want to go, then?”