Page 77 of Snowbound with the Santas

“I understand.” There’s a note of distaste in Nick’s voice. “What seems to be the problem?”

“Is Miss McCullough here?” Frank asks.

Nick nods. “She is.”

“Can we see her?”

My heart punches into my throat and a sharp stab of cold shoots down my spine. Archer doesn’t move. He remains a statue in front of me, but Frankie turns around and his brow is bunched up with worry. He doesn’t say anything, but I can tell by his eyes that he’s trying to ask me if I’m okay.

I can’t answer him. I’m still locked on staring at Ashton through the small gaps between Archer and Nick.

“She’s right here.” Nick steps back and casts his arm back to us. “You’re more than welcome to talk to her.”

As Byron steps inside, Ashton tries to follow, but Nick forcefully slams a hand into his chest and shoves him backward. “Not you.”

“What the hell? You kidnap my girl and keep her here, then think I can’t come in to see her?”

“You’re not stepping foot inside my property,” Nick snaps. “Not unless you're a cop with a detailed fucking warrant.”

“Archer. Frankie.” Byron nods to each of them in turn, and only then does Archer sidestep to reveal me. “Miss McCullough.”

“Hi.”

“You’re looking well.”

“I am, thank you.”

“Rayne!” Ashton surges forward once more. “Thank God you’re okay! You’ve no idea how worried sick everyone has been since you disappeared. Your mother has been utterly distraught to the point of sickness. For a few days, we were sure you were dead.” His voice quavers as if it’s the most painful truth for him. “Then when we heard you were stuck up the mountain with strangers, we feared for you even more. I know how twisted men can be.”

My heart pounds so fast that it’s a blur. Archer’s back stiffens and Nick’s jaw tightens, but neither of them speaks.

“You watch your mouth,” Frankie snaps, but he’s quickly silenced by a look from Archer.

“It’s the truth,” Ashton growls out, and then he looks directly at me. Locking eyes with him is like being punched in the throat, and I forget how to breathe for so long that when I next manage to, it’s just a gasp.

“Sir,” Byron snaps. “Remain quiet or my colleague will lock you in the car.” He turns back to me. “Rayne, I have to ask this. Are you being held here against your will?”

“What?” I scoff softly. “No, of course not. These men have been nothing but gentle and kind with me. They saved my life after I made the very stupid decision to go driving in the storm. But they found me. They saved me. They’ve nursed me back to health and tended to my wounds from the crash.”

“But you didn’t choose to return to the lodge five days ago?”

I force a deep breath to try and calm the tremble in my voice. “No. I chose to stay.”

“It’s true,” Archer says. “Rayne wanted to stay up here over Christmas, and we were happy to let her. We were planning to bring her back down to the lodge when we headed down the mountain for supplies in a few days.”

My heart squeezes and a flood of relief warms behind my eyes. Archer has my back. Of course he does.

“Bullshit!” This time, when Ashton shoves inside, Nick doesn’t stop him.

I stumble back and fear grips me. All I see is him coming toward me and suddenly, I’m a teenager again watching him bear down on me without the strength to fight back. Instinct has me reaching for Frankie, who is the closest, and he grips me firmly.

“You need to stop this and come home, Rayne. If you’re scared of them, then it’s okay. They can’t do anything. We’re here to help you, to take you home and to look after you!”

Byron catches Ashton’s arm. “Sir!”

Ashton’s cold eyes then drop down to where I’m clutching Frankie’s arm, and suddenly, he understands. I can see the realization bleed over his face and he scoffs sharply.

“Rayne.” Byron turns back to me. “Your family is worried about you.”

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