Page 25 of Awakening the Wild
Chapter 7
Tonya
Two black SUVs appeared at the end of Kevin's driveway like something out of a nightmare. I'd been sitting on the porch, trying not to think about Michael’s threats. I was enjoying my morning coffee and the peaceful mountain view, when the sound of expensive engines grinding up the dirt road shattered the tranquility.
My blood turned to ice when I recognized the man stepping out of the lead vehicle.
Michael.
He looked exactly the same—perfectly styled hair, designer suit that probably cost more than most people made in a month, that practiced smile that had once made me feel special and now made my skin crawl. Behind him emerged two men who were clearly hired muscle. Big, professional, the kind of men who solved problems with violence.
"Hello, Tonya." Michael's voice carried easily across the yard, smooth and confident. "You look... rustic."
I stood slowly, my hand instinctively reaching for my phone to call Kevin. He was checking the maple lines on the far side of his property. My fingers pressed the recall button and I hoped the call would go through because I didn’t want to take my eyes off of Michael.
"You need to leave," I said, surprised by how steady my voice sounded. "This is private property."
"I wanted to give you this in person." He reached into his jacket and pulled out an official-looking document. "Evictionnotice. You have thirty minutes to gather your belongings from the cottage before I have you removed from premises you're occupying illegally."
"You can’t do that."
"I can and I will. In fact, we’ll drive you to the cottage." He nodded to his companions, who started walking toward the porch with purposeful strides.
"I'm not going anywhere with you." I backed toward the front door..
"I'm afraid you don't have a choice," Michael said, his mask of civility slipping slightly. "You see, you owe me rather a lot of money. The cottage’s property taxes and all the estate’s debts. I'm simply collecting."
"I don't owe you anything."
"The courts might disagree. Especially when they learn about your unstable mental state, your complete dependency on strangers, your inability to make rational decisions." His smile turned cruel. "I've been very thorough in documenting your breakdown."
The two men reached the porch steps. Up close, they were even more intimidating—scarred, professional, the kind who'd hurt people for money without losing sleep over it.
"Ma'am," one of them said, his voice surprisingly polite. "We'd prefer this go easy. Just come with us quietly, and nobody gets hurt."
"And if I refuse?"
Michael's laugh was cold. "Then these gentlemen will force you into the car. One way or another, you're coming home, Tonya. The only question is how much this has to hurt."
I thought about running, but there was nowhere to go. The farmhouse was isolated, surrounded by wilderness, and these men were clearly prepared for resistance. My only hope was thatKevin would return soon—but what could one man do against three, no matter how strong he was?
“I need to gather my things, inside.”
Michael looked bored. “We will break the door down, if you try to lock us out.”
“I won’t,” I said, hoping he’d believe that I was capitulating this easy. After all, it’s what I always did.
"You have five minutes to pack essentials," Michael said, checking his expensive watch. "Then we're leaving. And don’t think your mountain man will come for you. I've had him investigated thoroughly. He’s a foster kid with anger management issues and a history of violence. Once the authorities hear about how he kidnapped and isolated you, kept you dependent and afraid, he'll be lucky if he doesn't end up in prison."
The sick part was that Michael almost sounded believable. He'd always been gifted at twisting reality, making his victims doubt their own perceptions.
"He didn't kidnap me. He saved me."
"From what? A man who loved you enough to give you everything? A stable, successful relationship?" Michael stepped closer, his voice turning silky with false concern. "Tonya, you've been traumatized. Manipulated by a predator who saw your vulnerability and exploited it. But it's not too late. I can get you the help you need."
"The only help I need is for you to leave me alone."
"That's not going to happen." His mask slipped completely now, revealing the cold control underneath. "You're mine, Tonya. You've always been mine. A few weeks playing house with some mountain peasant doesn't change that."
