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Still, it wasn’t like she could turn tail and run now. It had been her idea to come here, after all.
“I’m ready,” she repeated, slamming the door of the truck behind her—but she didn’t know if she were speaking more to him…or herself.
“Okay.” Face expressionless, McGoven led the way up the narrow concrete path, where a single ribbon of yellow caution tape dangled from the knob of the front door. Besides the splash of color, the place looked as dreary and cold as it had a week ago.
After fishing a set of keys from his pocket, McGoven unlocked the front door and looked back. “Are you coming?”
Loren realized that she was still on the curb. For once, something else held her attention other than him. The house looked the same. Empty, neglected, and cold. Had she really lived here?
“Loren?”
She could see him there, waving to get her attention. Out of habit, she lurched into motion. Then stopped. Every single time she tried to take a step, something held her back. A memory? The last thing she remembered was climbing up the stairs to go to bed...
“Loren—”
“I…”
She shook her head, turning on her heel, and…
Ran. The snow came down harder as she darted around the side of the house, into the backyard, as she skirted the porch, where the screen door swung on its hinges. If she were trying to get away, heading straight in the direction ofhishouse wouldn’t help her any. Before stepping on the path that cut through the woods, she turned, bracing herself against the trunk of a thick oak tree instead.
I can’t do this.Whether it meant that she was weak, stupid, spineless—whatever. She couldn’t step foot inside that house.
“Loren.”
She wasn’t exactly surprised when McGoven appeared, moving slowly as if expecting her to bolt at any minute.
“I’m sorry,” she blurted. “I shouldn’t have had you bring me all the way out here. I—”
“It’s alright.” He didn’t even have to raise his voice for it to carry across the yard. “You’re not ready yet.”
Yet.At least he seemed optimistic. She wasn’t. That house was like a dungeon, full of dark memories. Why unlock that gate?
“It’s okay. I’ll take you back.”
“No.” She shook her head. After spending the day cooped up with Naomi, Micha, and her confusing emotions, it felt good to be out in the open. Alone…
With him.She tried shaking her head to clear the thought, but it was still there clinging to the inside of her skull.He belongs here,a part of her insisted in a dark murmur. With me. He’s mine—
“Do you want to wait in the truck?” He was closer now.
She could smell him.Morethan smell him—taste him, right there on the tip of her tongue. It was a scent that seemed way more natural than cologne and muskier than that crisp pine. Something sweet and wild and dangerous, all at the same time.
“No,” she whispered, turning around to face him. “I…”
She trailed off as her eyes caught the jagged line of flesh right below his throat, partially hidden beneath the collar of his shirt. It looked grisly, more like the result of an animal attack.
But she knew the real cause—her. Horrified, she reached out. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean—”
At her touch, he jerked out of reach, eyes flashing a shade so dark it was damn near black. “Don’t!”The corner of his mouth twitched as if he wanted to say something else, but held himself back. Abruptly, he whirled on his heel, marching away. “I’ll be in the truck.”
“Wait…” In the end, Loren didn’t really know what made her follow him—just a step. But he froze anyway.
Are you crazy? some rational part of her railed angrily at the back of her mind. She moved toward him regardless, cautiously slipping around that bulk to block his path.
She couldn’t help it. Some sick, morbid curiosity infected her brain. Without hesitation, she fingered the fabric of his shirt, exposing the wound fully. It looked even worse up close. She could make out every individual tooth mark, etched into his flesh.
“It’s nothing,” he grunted, pulling back.
