CHAPTER8
PENELOPE
There’sno way I’m letting Elijah dictate what I do. I’ve been down that road once and I’m never going back. It always starts innocently enough.I want to protect you. I want to keep you safe. There might be a bear lurking in the darkness wanting to eat you for dinner. Do I even know where the panel is? Do I need some kind of tool to get the panel open?I like Elijah and I know he is a good man but I need to set clear boundaries up front if this is ever going to work.
So that’s what I’m doing.
I cling tight to the wooden logs on the side of the building and feel my way through the darkness. My stomach bubbles with nerves, but not the good kind. The night air is cool and it nearly bowls me over sending a chill up and down my body. When I step on the spongy forest floor a twig snaps under my foot and it has me jumping out of my skin.
Okay, so there’s a chance I should’ve let Elijah come with me at the very least. It’s a little creepy out here. But still, no one is going to tell me how to live my life. Never again. And that means doing things that sometimes scare me.
My eyes sweep the black forest for a pair of glowing eyes staring back at me, but all I find is darkness. By the time I come around the corner to the back of the building, my throat is parched.
The night sky seems to take pity on me and when I reach the electrical box, it’s illuminated in the white light of the moon. I don’t have to worry about opening the panel because the door has been pried open. “Wow. Come on Penelope, keep it together. What in the world? Something definitely got into this or someone…” I run my hands over the bent metal.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
My blood runs cold. I turn with a start at the sharp sound of someone clapping followed by footsteps in the darkness behind me. I press my back against the wall of the lodge while my eyes scan the forest searching for the source of the sound.
“Who’s there?” I call out, trying to keep my breath steady.
“Very good, you are smart. Not something but someone indeed.” A sarcastic voice with a hollow tone comes from behind the tree line.
A man steps into the moonlight, but I don’t need to see his face to know that it’s Conrad.Dammit.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I spit my words out through gritted teeth.
“I’m getting your attention. I’ve called a few times but you were too busy to answer. So I thought I’d find you. Parked my truck back behind your cabin this morning. I was planning on winning you back. But when I popped into your office back behind the front desk, I found that you were gone. And rumor has it, with a cop of all people…. Slumming it aren’t you dear? I thought you were better than dating a public servant.”
“I knew it. I doubted myself, but I knew it was you. And then when that bear came I thought—” I start, but he cuts me off.
“Ha! Oh yes, the bear. I had no way of knowing that thing would actually follow the scent trail I laid. It was a happy accident. I was hoping to keep you on your toes and shake things up a bit in your new life. But that bear, well, that is more than I could’ve hoped for.” Conrad steps toward me and I can smell the alcohol on his breath. He stares down at me with a menacing grin and everything in me screams for me to run.
I lean away from him without breaking eye contact. “Okay Conrad, you win. You scared me and you’ve got my attention.”
“Good. Now get in my truck, I’m taking you home to the city and out of this god-forsaken place.” He pounds a fist into the wall next to my face and it makes me flinch.
“No.”
“It isn’t a request. I’m taking you with me.” He hisses his threat.
I breathe in deep and look him in the eyes. “Not a fucking chance.” Without another thought, I slide under his arm and try to bolt away from him.
But even in his drunken state, Conrad is faster than me. More fit. A fact that he once took pleasure in telling me every time he got the chance. He grabs my arm and gives a sharp tug that has me falling back toward him. Nausea swirls in my stomach as my body flies back toward him like a ragdoll. Reality hits me like a ton of bricks.How did I let this happen again? I’m isolated. I’m trapped.
“Conrad.” Elijah’s voice breaks through the night, a ferocious heavy growl.
Elijah’s single word fills me with hope. Conrad is powerless and this time, I’m not alone. Conrad straightens and the interruption is enough for him to let me go, but still, he doesn’t seem to register the threat.
Instead, Conrad leans back letting out a deep and sinister belly laugh. “Oh, interesting, so you’re the cop. Wow, Elijah. You’ve put on a few pounds don’t you think. Oh, and you’ve got a badge.” He waves his fingers back and forth and his voice drips with sarcasm. “Good for you.”
“You’re done here. You’re leaving, now.” Elijah steps in front of me.
“I don’t know that I am. This is a public establishment. I’ve rented my space here at the lodge like everyone else. Besides, you need to relax more Elijah. I’m just here to check on my girlfriend.” Conrad’s mouth pulls into a smirk.
“Ex-girlfriend,” I say. The thought of being connected to Conrad makes my stomach swirl with nausea.
“Don’t talk to her. Not another word. What did you think? That you would show up here and force her to leave with you?”