Page 63 of Overcast

He draggedme through a set of thick woods, telling me that this place should look familiar. It doesn’t.

We passed a beautiful log cabin with a magnificently large deck surrounding it and flowers that are ready to bloom. Some have already matured into brilliant colors, contrasting against the gray stonework that was supporting two massive wooden beams that led to the entry door. The grass was freshly cut, and a firepit laid out in the backyard with thick logs covered with tribal looking blankets for seating.

As much as I wanted to enjoy the landscape and construction of the most beautiful home I’ve ever seen, I can’t help the apprehension that creeps through my veins.

A secluded area where no one would find me would be the perfect spot to kill and bury someone.

When we reached the back of the property where the woods thickened again, Emric guided me down a narrow, dirty trail edged by tall grass and weeds.

His grip on me never loosens, and he hasn’t said a word since we left the extensive warehouse building that Hollis and Dad are being kept in.

I press my lips together at the disappointing thought of my father. His sharp words slapped me in the face when Emric shared that he hurt me. No signs of worry or anguish that I was being held hostage showcased off Dad’s features.

He was emotionless. As though he couldn’t care less. I tried to incorporate in my brain that it could be an act. If Dad expressed how much it bothered him, it might have given Emric an edge.

Mind you, I don’t know why Dad just won’t tell him he knows nothing. Maybe he’s calling a bluff or something.

Neither decision makes me feel any better; however, it’s hard to believe that my only parent doesn’t give a crap about me.

I’m his only daughter. We don’t always speak or have the best relationship, but I’m still his blood.

Dad has either the best poker face I’ve ever seen, or he just laid out all his cards—he doesn’t care.

Emric was clearly dissatisfied with how things turned out. It’s the only thing I can agree with him on.

I’m still within his clutches and got hurt again, which is turning into a trend ever since I had the misfortune of meeting him.

Now I landed here. In an underground bunker of some sort that’s nestled in the middle of the trees we walked through, away from civilization.

Not the ideal situation. The large room smells of pine now that my head has cleared, which is inviting if I wanted to be here. Except a hard shove greets me next, abruptly landing my butt on the charcoal-colored couch as I was studying the dome-like ceiling.

Then I’m instantaneously met with narrowed hazel eyes and a deep frown lining Emric’s lips.

“Don’t touch a fucking thing,” he snarls, his vast-set frame precariously towering over me. “This is temporary.” I clasp my hands in my lap, as his gaze falls on my t-shirt. “Take it off.”

“Again?” I can’t. One, because...just no. Two, because I’m not comfortable in my skin like that. Three, no.

Emric takes a menacing step in my direction and reaches around his back, pulling out his Glock from earlier. “Do you want another gunshot to match the other side of your body—” He points it there. “—or do you just prefer to remove it on your own?”

My body involuntarily shakes as I touch the hem of my tee. “Why do I need to?” His body impedes closer. “Because I fucking said so.” With only a second of hesitation, I begin to slowly drag it over my head. There’s no use in arguing with him, I’m never going to win.

Throwing my tee at him, I immediately cover myself but recognize my hands don’t hide everything. He doesn’t catch it, nor does he conceal how his eyes swallow me up.

I tuck my chin into my collarbone, feeling every flick of his sights on me. My nipples pucker underneath my white bra. The hairs on my arms stand on end, and I want to shrivel up into nothing.

It’s embarrassing enough that I watched him have sex with another woman and listened to the things he said to me.

That he’s imagined us and wondered how tight I’d be if he got the chance to fuck me.

When his hazel eyes belted into me as he jacked off and smeared himself over my lips, still boring into me with a lust-repleted stare.

For a split second, I wasn’t bound by zip-ties and gagged with a cloth duct-taped in my mouth. I was there, imagining him on top of me, his lips pressed into the column of my neck and sweeping up my warm skin with the tip of his tongue.

“Now I can see what the fuss is all about,” Emric mutters, his voice deep and tearing me from my inappropriate thoughts.

Bending down to swipe up my shirt, he pivots and strides away, giving me some well-needed space to breathe again.

His presence is always a heavy weight on my chest. He soaks up everything in the room, making me feel smaller and cowardly.

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