Page 99 of Love Me Dangerous

Thanks to the mess I’m now in, that dream died up there in the larch grove.

My quivery stomach twists violently. I gulp cold air in short bursts even though it hurts my rib. Finally, the nausea subsides. I focus instead on the pain, and the certainty that, for now, my only option is to do as the man says.

There has to be a way out of this. A solution.

When I get to the main street, I scan both directions, looking for a utility pole with flyers posted on it. I spot one a block away.

I squeeze my handlebars, the cushy grip flexing beneath my fingers.

At the pole, I make sure no one is watching, then rip The Limelight’s most faded playbill from the staples. The ink has faded thanks to the harsh elements. It’s two weeks old, too. Another plus.

I arrive at the Huttons exhausted, but I head into the barn to finish my chores before I climb upstairs. The space is lit only by the night light plugged into the tack room wall. Leo snorts from his stall and steps over, his footfalls slow and heavy. Bracing for the pain, I grab the wheelbarrow and shovel, but when I enter Leo’s stall, it’s been cleaned, and his hopper is full, which means someone’s done this work for me.

This makes me feel worse. Leo huffs softly, his serious eyes on me. I move closer and gently stroke his neck, inhaling his comforting musk mixed with sweet hay.

“What am I going to do, boy?” I ask him.

He huffs another sigh.

I stroke him once more, then step from the stall and return the wheelbarrow to its place next to the tack room. I check on Bea, who is busy munching her dinner, and then Galaxy, who perks his ears but doesn’t approach.

When I turn away from his stall, a figure is in the doorway, blocking the moonlight.

Henry.

“Long day, huh?” he says when I approach.

Fuck. The longest. “Yeah.”

“Hungry? Barb saved you?—”

“Thanks, but I think I’ll just go to bed.” The thought of looking into Barb’s eyes right now, knowing how hurtful this is all going to be when it falls apart, is too much.

“Understood,” Henry says in a kind voice. He nods at the mountain bike leaning up against the side of the barn. “Nice bike.”

“It’s a loaner.”

“That rib must be feeling better,” he says with a smile.

“Yeah,” I reply, trying to smile back. At least the darkness is good cover, or he’d likely know it was fake.

This makes me think of Sofie and my invitation.

Shit.

She’s no doubt thinking we can pick up where we left off. My longing for that burns so hot my skin prickles, but there’s no way I can be with her right now.

I’ll have to send her a message. Cancel the night we were going to spend together.

I’ll have to cancel everything.

“I gotta help move some horses tomorrow early,” Henry says. “I could use your help, if you’re up for it. I can drop you at the ranch in time for work.”

“Of course,” I reply with a nod.

“All right,” Henry says, tilting his head like he’s trying to read more from me. “All right.”

We part ways, and I watch him saunter back toward the house, his head lowered as if he’s deep in thought. I just hope it’s not about me.

---