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His words hit me like he's plunged a knife into my heart. My hands tremble as I move forward, reaching out to the door. The door creaks when I pull it open, one of the hinges threatening to break in protest.
I step into the dim interior. There is no electricity, and my eyes have to adjust to the dim light from the doorway. The cabin is musty and dark, cobwebs clinging to the rafters. An old cot and a scarred table are the only furniture. Burn shoves me inside, the door creaking shut behind us.
"Please," I whisper. I turn to Burn, pleading with him. "You can still let me go."
"Not a chance." He folds his arms, smug satisfaction etched into his features. "You're going to stay right here until Dare comes to his senses."
"My husband will come for me," I say.
Burn moves toward me and for a second I fear that he's about to hit me. But he moves past me and pulls out a silver lighter, lighting a kerosene lamp that hangs on the wall.
I clamp my mouth shut, staring at the floor.Do I really believe that Dare will rescue me from this lunatic?
Yes. I have tobelieve that he will come for me.
The light from the lamp is feeble, but it's something. I turn, gazing at the space around me. The cabin is small with two windows facing the lake and a small fireplace in the corner.
"You're a fucking idiot if you think he'll come for you," Burn growls, almost to himself. "And if he does, I'm ready to tell him the truth about the baby's conception. He deserves to be told that I'm the father of your baby."
"He already knows the truth!" I blurt out. Desperation and fury war inside me. "He's known all along. It was his idea to deceive you in the first place."
A tic pulses in Burn's jaw and his eyes Burn into mine. "Bullshit."
"You think I dreamed this whole thing up by myself and forced him into it? No one forces Dare Morgan into anything he doesn't want to do."
He sneers. "Liar. You manipulated him into believing your lies. But I won't give up so easily." He stalks toward me, backing me against the wall.
I shrink away, pulse racing.All my senses are on high alert and I have the distracting thought that Burn smells clean and masculine like Dare. Burn sees the conflict in my eyes and pounces on it.
"You want me," he says softly. "I can see it in your eyes. And once Dare realizes you've moved on, he'll be free of your toxic influence."
Revulsion rises in my throat. "I don't want you. I had sex with you once, sure. But then I met Dare. I wish... I wish I'd met him first."
He grabs my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. His eyes blaze with obsession. "You're mine, Talia. You always have been, and you always will be. Deny it all you like, but we both know the truth."
I wrench away, nausea churning my stomach. "The only truth is that you're insane."
Burn's expression hardens. "You'll change your tune soon enough."
He turns on his heel and stalks out, slamming the door behind him. The sound of a heavy lock clicks into place, sealing me in my prison. Alone, with only the small lamp for solace. No escape to be had and no hope of salvation.
Burn has won this round.
ChapterFour
TALIA
Ijolt awake at the sound of the door handle rattling. The first light of day creeps in through the window, and I see a silhouette of a figure standing in the doorway. Burn. He’s here to take me back home.
He storms into the cabin, his face twisted with anger and accusation. “Get up."
I clutch my knees to my chest, suddenly feeling vulnerable and exposed in my wrinkled dress in sharp contrast with his muscular form dressed all in black. He strides across the room and stands over me, his eyes blazing hot with fury I can feel like an inferno between us. My pulse thunders in my ears and I stifle a scream of fear as he grabs my arm roughly and pulls me up from the bed.
He hauls open the door then turns back to grab my hand, pulling me out into the crisp morning air before I can even protest or think twice about what is happening.
His grip on my arm is bruising, but I don't struggle. What's the point? I'm trapped in this godforsaken place with a madman.
My stomach rumbles. It's been more than twelve hours since I ate or drank anything and I'm starting to feel lightheaded.
