Page 50 of Mountain Man Daddy

“Do you understand, Avery? I don’t want to hurt you, but I won’t hesitate.”

“How do you know my name?” she asked. “How do you know Alex? How is he alive? What the hell is going on?” Her last words came out in a panic-filled shriek. He squeezed her hand harder; this time it was painful enough to make her yelp and buckle to her knees. Fear exploded in her. This man was capable of pure evil and did it while still maintaining an air of superiority and civility, and that scared the hell out of her.

“Do. You. Understand?” His formerly genteel voice was harsh and uncivilized so she bobbed her head.

“Yes. God, yes! Please!” she gasped, and he released his death grip. His expression was suddenly calm again.

“This isn’t about you, Avery. Please know that.” His eyes dragged over her hair. “You have the same color hair as his wife had.” His eyes landed on hers. “But you’re nothing like her.” His head tilted to the side, and he looked thoughtful a moment before his eyes cleared, and he continued.

“Michael and I have unfinished business, and I’m afraid you’re the only way to get his attention, but I won’t hurt you like I did Ella.” His arm came up so he could trace a finger down her jawline. His mouth quirked and his eyes glinted mischievously. It unsettled Avery further. “Although, Michael won’t be happy you’ve run off, now will he?”

“What do you mean, like Ella?” Avery blurted, her eyes widening in realization. She even ignored the nervous blip over his mention of Mike being unhappy with her. Was Henry the one who killed Mike’s wife? She pulled her face away from him, feeling bile rise in her throat.

“You killed Ella?” She swallowed hard.

“She was a cheating whore. I did him a favor.” He gave a dismissive wave. “He’s been happier with you than he ever was with her. Unfortunately, I need him to leave his little oasis and focus on our relationship once again.” He picked up one of Avery’s curls and ran it through his fingers as Mike had done so many times. She pulled away from him again, repulsed. “Don’t touch me,” she spat. His face soured and he fisted her hair, yanking her head back hard. It burned where it pulled at her skull, and she squealed.

“Show some respect, Avery. I’ve killed so many women, I can do it in myfuckingsleep. Michael can attest to that. Be sure to ask him later.” His free hand clasped around her neck, but he didn’t squeeze. Fear coursed through her and she closed her eyes as it suddenly became apparent he was the serial killer Mike had been chasing when he retired. “You’re the one Mike was hunting before he retired.”

“I’ve been watching you two, and his discipline didn’t make you well-mannered enough for my liking, Miss Trent. I should have left you in his care a little longer.” He shook his head. “I don’t have the taste for disciplining in such mild ways, love. I favor more blood.” He chuckled, glancing at her over his shoulder as he dragged her on. “Let’s not speak of unpleasant things right now though. You’re a smart girl, my dear. You’re exactly right. I’m the killer he never caught.”

Avery shivered. Not only had this murdering psychopath been watching them, but he’d already turned Mike’s life inside out once before.

* * *

Mike stared at the dark-haired man holding the gun in front of him. The man quite obviously wasn’t used to holding a revolver and with his stance, Mike could take him down in one move. Mike wasn’t worried about him. He only wanted to find Avery. His heart raced in fear and concern for her. He was only biding his time to find out who he was and if he was responsible for Avery being missing. Was this one of the men who had killed Alex? And if he was, had he taken her? He’d gone inside to find her missing after talking with two New Brunswick conservation officers about the cougar, but when he ran out to look for her, he’d run straight into the dark-haired douche holding a gun.

“Where is she?”

Mike’s brow quirked. He’d like to know the answer to that same question.

“Who?” Mike asked, playing dumb.

“Don’t lie to me. I know you know where she is. I know Avery’s been staying here.” He paused and looked Mike in the eye. Mike’s heart pounded faster. If he didn’t have Avery, who did? “Oh, the girl from the accident?” Mike pulled his work gloves out of his pocket and threw them on the chopping block. The guy’s eyes followed nervously.

“Move back. You’re too close to that ax.”

Mike stepped to the side but stayed focused on the gunman.

“She left. I have no clue where she went. I’m a loner if you can’t tell, and people don’t tend to stick around long. I’m a bit of a dick.”

“You’re lying, Mike.” Mike’s heart stopped at the use of his name. How the fuck?

Mike snapped his fingers, distracting the gunman, did a leg sweep, and snatched the gun out of his hand before the man even thumped against the ground. He started to rise, and Mike put his booted foot on the man’s chest and shoved the gun into his jeans.

“Who the fuck are you?”

The guy moaned, and Mike asked again, stepping harder on his chest.

“Who?” he demanded.

“Alex. Alex Donovan!” He coughed and held up his hands. Mike narrowed his eyes.What the hell?Avery’s husband was supposed to be dead. What was going on?

“I came for my wife, Avery Trent.” He looked around. “If you think you can keep her hidden and happy in this mountain shack, you’re wrong. That girl’s used to a different standard of living.”

“But you’re supposed to be dead, Alex—or should I say, Peter?” Mike crossed his thick arms calmly despite his racing mind and heart. He kept enough pressure on Alex’s chest that he couldn’t get up. Where was his Avery?

“It was a scam, but I had no choice this time.” Fear was evident with the way sweat beaded on Alex’s upper lip and forehead. His eyes widened. “They would have killed me if I didn’t tell them about her trust fund.” Mike bared his teeth. He wanted to step on the guy’s face. “Explain, asshole, before I put a boot print on the inside of the back of your skull.” He lifted his booted foot and hovered it over Alex’s face.

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