Howard studied me more intently. “She does look a little pale.”
August scoffed.
“Get her some juice from the fridge,” Howard ordered.
August’s jaw tightened. “You do it.”
Howard’s eyes narrowed on him. “This is my deal.”
“But I’m not your servant.”
“You work for me. I gave you that cash to get on your feet.”
“And I’ve more than paid you back.”
That anger was back in Howard’s eyes, but it was no longer pointed at me. “You screwed up getting her the first time. Almost got caught.”
A muscle in August’s cheek fluttered wildly. “She kneed me in the fuckin’ balls.” His head snapped in my direction. “You’ll pay for that, too.”
Shock rocked through me at the knowledge that August had been the one to grab me outside the Bar & Grill. I couldn’t help the shudder that followed. He could’ve taken me then and locked me in this cabin weeks ago. There would’ve been no stolen moments with Ramsey and all the firsts I got with him.
August turned back to Howard. “I got the letters to her. Hell, I found someone to take photos of her for years for you.”
I stiffened. Photos? Seemed they’d been watching for who knew how long, infiltrating my life when I thought I was safe.
The tension in Howard eased a fraction. “The photos were good. You’re right. You’ve helped more than a little.”
“Damn straight.”
Howard squeezed August’s shoulder. “Will you please get some juice for Shiloh? I want to talk to her.”
August’s jaw was still tight, but he nodded. “Yeah, whatever.”
The tension between the two was something I needed to use to my advantage. If I could sow more seeds of discontent, maybe one of them would bail. The thing I couldn’t figure out was who would be worse to be alone with. The worst-case scenarios with each were vastly different.
I pressed my hands harder against the logs of the wall. Panic gripped me, and dark spots danced in my vision.
Breathe. Focus on one thing.
Ramsey’s face flashed in my mind again. Those eyes were my touchstone. Dark like an endless night sky. But I knew sparks would come—pinpricks of light when he laughed. Or when we lost ourselves in each other. I wouldn’t lose him. I wouldn’t lose our everything.
“Shiloh?”
Howard’s voice brought me back to the here and now, and I scooted away as he inched closer.
That tiny movement was a mistake. Rage filled his expression. “Don’t you dare move away from me.”
I froze. “I think I might throw up. I didn’t want to do it on you.”
“Liar. I can sense your lies when they fly from your mouth.”
I shook my head vigorously, the movement making my head pound. “I’m not lying. When I’m sick, I don’t like for anyone to touch me.”
Howard’s face turned a mottled red. “No one should be touching you. No one but me and Ian. But I saw those photos. You let that heathen put his hands on you. His mouth.”
Everything in me twisted, my stomach spasming. “I love him.”
I didn’t know if that would make things better or worse, but it was true. And I wouldn’t deny it for anything.