Page 29 of Protection for Rowan

He stepped from the car, not hearing any sound from the trunk. He took time to unlock the door and flip on a light before going to get her. Again, the tingling sensation was back as excitement coursed through him. He couldn’t wait to prove to Doctor Kays that he was fit to work.

Charles popped the trunk open and jumped back as she flung something at him. Pain slashed as whatever she’d tossed at him clipped his elbow. Shock hit next as he realized she was scrambling up, trying to escape the trunk of the car. If she got away from him, she would be lost in the forest. That couldn’t happen. He didn’t want her out in the wilderness running around. She could get hurt out there.

There was no other option than to hit her. He cocked his arm back and swung, striking her cheek. Her head flew back, hitting the trunk lid. She crumpled in a heap in the trunk.

“Oh shit, I didn’t mean to hit you so hard. I’m so sorry.”

Of course, she didn't respond. She'd been knocked out. He'd hit her too hard. He needed to find a new way to control her. Maybe he should buy a zapper, something to give her a little electric shock to make her obey. It had worked for him growing up. When his mom brought out the prod, he would do whatever she told him to do. He'd hated that thing, but his mom got the point across. He had to do what she wanted or else. He would go out today andget the prod. That would make Doctor Kays do what he wanted.

He carried her inside and positioned her on the couch, brushing her hair out of her face. She looked so peaceful. He leaned in and brushed his lips against hers.

Charles jerked back, panic filling him. Why had he done that? He jumped up and wiped his hand over his mouth, removing the feel of her soft lips against his. That wasn’t why she was here. He couldn’t go down that road again. That had ended badly. A memory sharpened—him standing over a hole he’d dug, her body flung in, the dirt he’d shoveled in to cover her.

A shiver worked through him, and he pushed the memory down. Focus was needed to complete his task. He had to get Doctor Kays to submit the paperwork clearing him. The prod would make that easier. He could do this, and no one would be the wiser. Then he would have his job back, and everything would be good.

He turned to leave, almost tripping over the U bolt. “Stupid idiot.” He’d almost forgotten to attach the chain. That would have been disastrous. She could have run out into the wilderness and gotten hurt. He didn’t want her hurt. His heart squeezed as he stared down at her. She needed him to watch after her.

He moved the heavy chain to the couch and closed the shackle around her ankle, locking it closed with a padlock. His fingers lingered on her leg. Her skin was so soft. He ran his fingers up to her knee, then her thigh. The feel of her smooth skin made him hot. He leaned down and kissed her thigh. She smelled good, like vanilla and spices.

A moan from her had him jerking back. It wasn’t time for that now. She couldn't escape, and she would have to listen to him. Once she made this right, everything could go back to normal.

Chapter 22

Shine hatedwaiting on the weather. At least they had good surveillance available and knew exactly where the man was. Once the flooding stopped, they would head out. Based on what the forecasters were predicting, they expected another twelve hours that would be dangerous, and then they would move. They could have the guy by tomorrow.

More than a week had passed since he'd left California. He missed Rowan. Though they'd only been together for a short time, he missed seeing her. He wanted her in his bed. Leaving when he had could mess with their flow, but he hoped Rowan wouldn't react badly to him being gone on a mission.

Sharp stepped into the room. “Shine, you get enough sleep?”

“Yeah, I’m good. What about you?”

Sharp shrugged. “I’m good.”

“Do you think we’ll go in tonight?”

“I do. You ready?”

Shine nodded. “I am. I’ve been watching. He’s at the compound. Our sources on the ground say he’s there, too.”

"We need to grab him. We've been sitting here for too long. I don't like having to wait."

The door opened, and Griz and Squat came in. They were both eating something. Shine stood, knowing he needed to grab something to eat. Apple carried in a tray of food and was followed closely by Jay.

Apple set the tray down on the table. “I brought in some sandwiches. We’re on in a few hours. The storm is clearing faster than they thought.”

“Thanks, man,” Shine said.

“Oh yeah.” Griz moved to the table and grabbed a sandwich. “Thanks, Apple.”

They all grabbed something to eat, knowing this might be their last thing before the raid. They would carry MREs, but those weren’t as good as fresh food.

Shine spent the next few hours getting prepared for their incursion. If this went well, he would be home with Rowan in a few days. He couldn’t wait to see her again and hold her close, showing her how much he loved her.

Rowan's jawstill ached from the bastard punching her. She realized way too late that the man with the beard who'd been following her was Charles Kinsey, the air traffic controller she'd had given the bad assessment to. The man seemed unfit for work when she'd done the assessment with him. Now she realized she'd not been harsh enough in her determination of his mental state. He was beyond unfit.

She wasn't sure how many days had passed since she'd woken up with her leg shackled to the floor. Time seemed to pass in spurts and starts, like maybe he’d drugged someof her food. She had enough chain length to go to the bathroom and to get food and water, but she'd never been held captive like this, and the passage of time seemed unreal.

The sound of a vehicle pulling up in front of the cabin drifted in, and for a moment, she had hope. But she realized soon enough it was Charles's car. She wondered who owned this cabin. Would they come out here at some point? She hoped they did. She wanted to be rescued and soon.

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