Page 34 of The Traitor

After just over a week in luxury and comfort, the return to reality had been harsh. However, there was no way she regretted her decision. Accepting Knox’s money would have felt wrong. Each time her mind wandered toward the man, it was like there wasn’t enough air in the room and she could hardly breathe. She’d heard what people went through with withdrawal, and how long it took and was convinced it would take just as long before he was out of her system.

As usual when her mind wandered, she focused on the task at hand, on her goals.

When she walked out of the shop after Knox’s rejection, and before she turned into a puddle of tears, her first destination had been the bakery. Tony had probably sensed something was wrong as he opened his arms and welcomed her back with warm friendship.

He had promised her a job—not well paid—but enough that she could get by and not have to take on two additional jobs on the side. Always generous, Tony was glad to have her back and have her help in growing the business. He planned to eventually make her a partner, and adjust her pay accordingly.

He even proposed renovating the bakery’s attic so she could move in there. It would take a while, but she could wait. Spring would come soon enough.

The wind made her little home moan and shiver, and Josie decided that another log was in order. While she was up, she grabbed a few more blankets to settle by the hearth to sleep.

Preparing herself a nice little cocoon and praying she would be able to stave off the cold, Josie jumped when a gust of wind made her front door rattle. The storm was making her nervous and even colder.Maybe putting on another pair of socks will help. Going to the dresser, she started searching for a pair when the door shook again, a sound like thunder booming from the other side of the wooden planks. It also sounded like an angry voice.

Was this cabin fever? Maybe she could put a chair under the door handle to stop it making such a racket. When the door burst open, and slashing wind and snow invaded her little home, Josie took a step back. The second step back she took was because of the shadow who came into her home.

“Josie.”

A scream caught in her throat when the male voice registered.

Now that the intruder’s face was lit by the fire, her voice returned. “Kenneth.”

Seeing her husband in the flesh, in this setting, in the very place where she’d felt cold but safe, was a nightmare. “Ken … what … what are you doing here? How did you find me?”

With a kick of his heel, he shut the door. When he unzipped his coat, a stranger stood in front of her. He was so much thinner, the edges of his cheekbones were sharper, and the dark circles under his eyes were unusual for him. A haunted man stood before her.

“I asked around. And I wouldn’t have needed to step foot in this godforsaken place if you haven’t skipped the last two payments.”

The last two weeks. Josie’s heart dropped at the realization. So much had happened that she’d forgotten the transfers.

“I’m sorry. I have the money. It’s only an oversight…”

“I needed that money!!” His yell was like a punch, making back away.

“I said I’m sorry. I can make the payment in the morning.”

Ken threw his coat to the floor and before she could react, slapped her hard across the face.

Pain exploded in her cheekbone, but it was the surprise that hurt the most. He’d never attacked her like that before. He had been abusive in so many other ways, but never physically.

“You fucking fat cow. Did you think you had a choice? That I didn’t need that money?”

She could see bruises on his jaw, and it was obvious he was pissed about something, or more accurately frightened of someone. And when Ken was in that state, he could be volatile.

He started pacing the small area, kicking chairs, throwing everything he could grab against the wall. “You’re good for nothing. Is there anything you were ever good at? Don’t you understand the pressure I’m under? No, you fucking don’t!”

He started to open her drawers and cupboards, throwing stuff around, searching for something. After a wild growl, he threw a punch on the counter. There was blood, but Josie kept her gaze on his face as he continued to look around.

Steadying herself and ignoring her burning cheek, she pushed her back against the wall until she was standing. It was only a few feet to the door, but without boots and a coat, running into the forest didn’t make any sense.

However, her head was spinning, trying to think of a way she could keep him calm and in control. After destroying her entire cabin, and finding nothing left to break, he turned to her, rage in his eyes.

Before Josie could escape, he grabbed her by the hair and circled her throat with his hand. His breath smelled foul, and she recognized nothing of the man she’d loved and married.

Or maybe he was revealing who he really was to her, and she’d been blinded the entire time.

“I need that money now. And even with what you gave me, it wouldn’t be enough. The people who are after me require much more.” And his agitated rambling stopped, his eyes were alight when he looked at her again, as if he’d had a brilliant idea, his voice slow and thoughtful when he spoke. “But I could lend you to them.”

If she hadn’t been pinned to the wall, she would have sunk to her knees at what he was implying. “No. Are you mad, Ken? Never!”

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