Page 5 of Eden and her Mercenary
Fifty minutes later, we were winding up a forest service road, my truck leading her van deeper into the pine-covered hills. The cabin had been my sanctuary since the MacGallan’s moved to Pearl Lake—a place I had bought when Ryker decided to stay in B.C.
I pulled up to the small log structure, killing the lights quickly. Eden parked beside me, and I could see her surveying the place through her windshield—taking in the solar panels on the roof, the generator shed, and the lack of neighboring properties.
"Home sweet home,” I said, gesturing toward the cabin. "It's not much, but it's secure."
Eden climbed out of her van, eyes constantly scanning the treeline. "I need to get the dogs out. They've been in their crates too long."
"The back yard is fenced in," I told her, heading for the cabin door. "I installed it to keep the deer away from my garden."
The interior of the cabin was dark and cool, smelling faintly of pine and wood smoke. I flipped on the generator with a switch by the door, and soft lights illuminated the room. It wasn't fancy—a worn leather couch, a woodstove, a small kitchen area, and a loft bedroom overhead—but it was mine.
Eden appeared in the doorway, the trembling pit bull in her arms. "Where's this fenced area?"
I led her through the back door to the yard. Itwasn't huge, but it was big enough for all the dogs to run around. And it was secure—a six-foot chain link with no gaps underneath. I took Stella from her and carried her down the deck stairs then set her down gently on the grass.
"I'll get the others," she said, hurrying back to the van.
“I’ll help.”
“Will she be okay out here alone?” A worried frown settled on her face.
“She will be fine. I promise,” I said, guiding her towards the side gate.
We took three dogs each, and all were chomping at the bit to get into the yard. Once secured within the fence, all were taken off leash and each one sniffed around eagerly, relieved to stretch their legs after being confined for so long. All except Stella, who stayed close to Eden's side, watching me with wary eyes.
"What's her story?" I asked, nodding toward the pit bull.
Eden sighed, running a hand through her tangled blonde hair. "I don't know exactly. The rescue coordinator called me in the middle of the night, said Stella needed to disappear." She glanced down at the dog. "Based on her scars and behavior, I'm guessing she was used for fighting."
I raised my brows. "And someone wants her back badly enough to send men after you?"
She nodded. “But there's something else going on. These guys aren't just some backyard dogfighters. They're too professional."
I watched as Stella finally ventured a few steps away from Eden, sniffing cautiously at a patch of clover. "My brother and I have… connections.”
"No police," Eden cut me off sharply. "Not until I know what's really going on."
I laughed. “Oh no, they aren’t the police, far from it.”
She narrowed her eyes at me. "Who exactly are you, Royal?" Her hand drifted back toward her revolver.
I held up my hands again. "Me and my brother are retired mercenaries. Now we just hire out our services. Just got done doing a job for the Irish mob."
Eden's hand immediately went to her gun, pulling it out and aiming it directly at my chest. Her eyes hardened as she took a defensive stance.
"Irish mob? Are you fucking kidding me?" Her finger hovered over the trigger. "So, what— you're going to ransom me and the dogs now? Is that your play?"
I slowly raised my hands higher. "If I wanted to hurt you, I wouldn't have brought you to my personal cabin." I kept my voice steady. "And I definitelywouldn't have told you about my connections."
Stella growled low in her throat, sensing Eden's tension. The other dogs stopped their exploring, alert to the sudden shift in the air.
"Put the gun down, Eden. I'm not your enemy here." I took a cautious step forward. "My brother Ryker and I provide protection for certain people. It's a job. Doesn't mean I agree with everything they do."
"Why should I trust you?" She didn't lower the weapon.
"Because right now, I'm all you've got." I nodded toward the dark forest surrounding us. "Those men are still out there. And I’m guessing they're not stopping until they get what they want."
A tense silence stretched between us. Finally, she lowered the gun slightly.
