Page 35 of The Traitor

He let go of her, and went to the door, tossing her boots to her. She wasn’t about to argue with him and put them on. Then, the glitter turned to steel and he took a step closer before throwing her to the floor. “It’s not something you have a say in. You owe me! And this is how you’re going to repay me. You’re nothing but ugly and stupid, and I own you.”

Her body aching from the shock, Josie grabbed the sofa to pull herself to her feet. Despite her fear, a surge of strength wound itself around her heart. Knox’s words came to her, words he’d spoken when he’d held her in his arms. He may have shown her his dark side, but he’d never abused her. He valued her opinion, told her she was worth something. That she was intelligent, desirable, kind, professional. She had dreams, and most of all, she wasn’t the same woman she used to be. She would fight back.

“I’m not going with you.”

Ken backhanded her, but she remained on her feet.

“Not only are you coming with me, but I’m testing the goods, one more time.”

“What happened to you?” She knew it was a moot point to ask him that question. Whatever happened to him, he’d turned into some uncontrollable monster.

It was pure panic flooding her veins that made her react. When Ken pushed her to the sofa, she let him come as close as she could, and when he pawed at her breasts, Josie kneed him hard in the balls before bolting for the door.

The wretched sound he made was satisfying. “You fucking bitch!” She could hear him get to his feet and run after her, screaming at her as he did. “You’re fucking dead, cow. If you aren’t useful to me, you won’t be for anybody.”

Fear made her run faster.

Going out the door felt like hitting a solid wall of ice. She was dressed in two sweaters and fleece sweatpants but they were no protection against a mountain snowstorm.

She could have headed for the road, but at this time of night, and with the weather like it was, there wouldn’t be anyone there. Instead, she set her hopes on getting to the lake and following the shore around to Knox’s cabin.

The snow was deep, making it difficult to move. Adrenaline pushed her forward, and she ignored the cold. All she could think of was Knox. Even if he didn’t want her, there was still compassion in him, enough to offer her shelter.

“Get back here, you fucking bitch!”

Her heart beating fast, Josie turned around but couldn’t see Ken through the curtain of falling snow. He must have been following the tracks she left as she ran. It was impossible to lose him, her only hope was to outrun him.

If only she could see enough to know when she’d reached the lake. All she needed to do after that was turn left and follow it to the cabin.

She was so cold, her body became sluggish. It felt like she was turning into a block of ice and she was so tired, each cold inhale sliced through her throat. Her fingers were turning numb and yet still hurt at the same time. The sweat on her skin was starting to crystallize, and she didn’t know where she was. Lost was probably the best answer.

She was still trying to figure out where to turn, when a rustling behind her made her spin just in time to see someone tackle her to the ground. Snow softened the blow, but the body pressed down hard on her.

“I told you you’re mine!” Ken’s breath was warm on her face but smelled of filth.

Twisting like crazy, she tried to push and hit him as much as she could, but nothing seemed to affect him. Then he punched her in the gut. Already having trouble drawing in air, the force of the blow left her stunned and breathless. Josie tried to crawl away, but she was so cold, and her world started to turn into a white blur.

She kicked and screamed, hitting him as hard as she could despite the snow and ice hampering her movements.

Ken cursed and grabbed her ankle, pulling hard. The snow now burned against her skin. Through the wind, she could hear loud noises and cracks. Ken howled her name in the strangest way. Then her world shifted and trembled, the ground opening beneath her feet as she fell. She’d reached the lake after all.

When her body hit the frigid lake water, the shock revived her for a second before panic set in as she went under.

Her feet touched the bottom and she realized they hadn’t ventured far onto the frozen lake which was a small blessing. A menacing growl came from in front of her and she saw Ken stumble out of the water. Beyond him, new shadows took shape through the snow. Ken’s back was to her, and slowly blending into the storm until all she saw were three dark forms. She heard a low growl, and the sound spurred her into action. If nature had decided to give her an advantage, she would take it.

Josie climbed over the edge of the bank and hoped she was running in the right direction. Her body burned with pain, and the more she moved, the more difficult it became.

Ken screamed behind her, and when she turned, she couldn’t see him. However, one of the shadows followed her.

Through the snow and trees, Josie saw wavering lights in the distance. Knox’s home was the only one close, which meant there was hope. Hope she could make it to safety. To Knox.

How can someone move or walk without feeling their body?Or when experiencing so much pain? Josie tried to focus on her goal, but it became more and more difficult to do so.

And the lights were so far away. Miles and miles and they were spinning now, dancing through the snow. The snow looked so soft, comfy, and warm. Maybe she could burrow deep, so deep Ken or the shadow following her would never find her, and when they finally left, she could make her way to Knox.

Knox. She should have stayed and made him see. Convinced him. Pounded his thick head until he saw the light. That image made her smile.

Josie missed his sad half-grin and the way he gripped her hips to bring her closer and push her away. She loved how he buried his nose in the crook of her neck when he came, and that was something she missed. In the throes of orgasm, there were no barriers between them.

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