Page 15 of Through The Woods

“Sweetheart, you look like a mangy dog that needs to be put out of its misery,” He pointed at my side. “Obviously, someone already tried and failed. My men? They want a woman—not a skeleton.” He chuckled to himself again before getting up and walking to the door.

“I think I can get her patched up. What do you want me to do with her after, Charm?” Doc asked.

He never even turned around as the door swung open. “Put it back where you found it, Doc.”

I couldn’t go back out there. All my bravery was gone—I would die in the wilderness. What if Clint was still hanging around, hoping to finish the job?

I pushed myself into a sitting position, my head spinning from the effort. “Wait—I could help you—”

He paused, halfway out the door, and turned around to face me. “How do you figure?”

I struggled to think of something…anything. My eyes landed on a broom in the corner. “I could cook and clean for you and your men. I’m good at it.”

I didn’t know if I was good at it or not, but I was desperate.

Charm nodded to himself. “Fine. Detox her, Doc. Then we’ll see where we stand. I ain’t agreeing to anything more tonight.”

The door slammed shut behind him and I breathed a sigh of relief. Doc didn’t seem as happy with the decision.

“Neve.”

I plastered a smile on my face. “This is good; I won’t let you down.”

He pinched his brow. “When’s the last time you ate anything?” My face fell when I couldn’t remember and he continued, “You and I both know that you’re lying. I get it; I do. But, Charm? Fuck, you better miraculously learn how to be Martha Stewart in the next few days.”

I tried to swallow again, but my mouth was like cotton. Doc started pulling various sized straps from a drawer and I watched him curiously.

“What’s all that for?”

His teeth gnawed at the corner of his mouth as he worked. “Detox, Neve. Trust me, it’s easier this way.”

My heart began to beat a little faster. I’d just traded the Colorado wilderness for sobriety. I’d told myself that I’d quit before, but my willpower was nonexistent when it came to a line of snow.

Doc’s plan?

To strap me to this bed until I sobered up.

On one hand, it was a hell of a lot better than any of the ideas that I’d had before. On the other, I doubted I’d survive long enough to celebrate.

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