Page 48 of My Cowboy Salvation
“Ah. There you are. I’ve been waiting for you, sleepy-head.”
I try to sit up but I can’t, almost like an invisible hand pins me to a bed. I stare wildly at my body, trying to understand and come to two realizations at once.
One. My wrists and ankles are bound.
And two—and somehow far more terrifying—I’m stark naked. Every item of clothing removed, as if Simon wants me to feel the most vulnerable anyone can feel.
“M-my clothes,” I grit out, understanding why I’m so cold, since the temperature in this place is barely above freezing.
“All of your belongings have been taken care of. You won’t need them anymore.”
I close my eyes and feel warm tears slip down my face, tears not just of fear, but of anger and sadness.
Where am I? This isn’t Simon’s place. His place is all light beige and whites and contemporary pieces. This place is dark and feels unfinished, with exposed wooden beams for walls and ceilings, with clumsy, older furniture. Not old antique old, but old as in neglected and forgotten.
It’s a cabin. But that doesn’t make sense since Simon doesn’t stay anywhere outside a five-star hotel. Camping would be unimaginable to him.
“Where. Are. We?” I ask, each word almost painful to utter.
He shrugs. “You wouldn’t know it. In fact, not many people would. It’s completely untraceable, but I’ve found it quite valuable over the years. Sentimental even. Let’s just say it belongs to someone who means—meant—a great deal to me. Like you.”
Meant. As in, they no longer are living.
Click. The lighter flares up again, and he allows the flame to burn for a few seconds before shutting it.
“Why?” It’s all I can say, but I feel he knows my question. Why is he doing this to me? Why can’t he just let me go? Why here? Why are my clothes gone? And more.
He holds his hand up, and I see something glimmering as the lamp light refracts from its surface. My locket.
“It’s pretty, even if a bit gaudy. I wonder. Did you know your boyfriend hid a tracking device inside? He was tracing your whereabouts with probably a flip of a button. It’s surprisingly clever of him.”
Confusion clouds my brain as I try to understand what he’s saying. Tracking device? Has Logan been tracking my every move since he gave me that? It doesn’t seem possible, and yet, I can’t see any reason for Simon to lie.
“From the look on your face, I’m guessing the answer is no.” He smiles and shakes his head. “It would seem you have a habit of finding men who are intent on controlling you, chérie. Only”—his voice turns sharp—“I claimed you first.”
Claimed me. That sounds like Simon. Controlling. Possessive. Horrifyingly ruthless. Was Logan just as controlling and dominating as Simon? Is that why he put that in there?
No. That’s not right. For everything that Logan is—high-handed, authoritative, and impatient—he isn’t controlling. If he placed that in the locket, I have to believe he did as one more avenue for protecting me.
A sudden ray of hope fills me. If I was being tracked, that would mean Logan isn’t far—
As if he saw the glimmer of hope in my eyes, Simon adds, “I removed and destroyed the tracker hours ago. So if you have any illusions of your lover riding in with the Calvary and rescuing you, let me put them to rest. He doesn’t know where you are. I’m afraid no one ever will.”
Simon uncrosses his legs and comes to his feet. Like a lion, he stalks slowly until he’s standing in front of me.
Click. The lighter flares up.
Carefully, he dangles the locket over the flame, and I imagine the photos inside curling and blackening until nothing’s left. The seconds tick by.
He turns his attention to me, before dragging the locket down. The pain is instant as my skin singes and burns as the locket I once loved and treasured so dearly now permanently brands me.
I scream and strain against my restraints, trying to move away, but I’m caught tight.
Simon removes the locket from my chest, but I still feel the intense blistering pain like it’s still there.
Simon leans forward, his eyes flashing with excitement. “Who do you belong to, Dylan?”
There’s no real choice presented to me other than a brief reprieve from the pain and torture I know is only starting.
