Page 8 of Force of Nature

I attempted to stand, but Duke motioned for me to stay on the ground.

“Please, don’t get up on our account,” he said. “We’ll join you.”

Duke and Zeb sat beside me, while Martin settled on the other side of the firepit, probably to get a better view of Willow. The reflection of the flames dancing in his glasses made his hungry gaze even more sinister.

“We brought refreshments,” Ox said in a deep, rumbling baritone. He dropped a red cooler on the ground and then sat down next to Willow.

“Have a beer, Erik,” Duke said.

I shook my head slowly. “No thanks. We were just about to go to bed.”

“Come on,” said Ox. “Don’t be a bitch. It’s early.”

“Yeah,Dad.” Zeb sneered. “Loosen up. The night is young.”

“Just like your girl,” said a soft-spoken voice I didn’t recognize; it took me a second to realize it belonged Martin.

I clenched my jaw, biting back the urge to tell them where they could shove their beers. Had I been on my own, I might’ve tried a more direct approach just to gauge their reaction. But I needed to consider what was best for Willow. These men were dangerous, and they seemed to enjoy playing with us. For now, we had to play along.

Ox offered a can of beer to Willow. “How about you, kid?”

She glanced at me. I shook my head.

“I’m n-not old enough,” she stammered.

Duke laughed. “That don’t matter out here, little Willow. We abide by nature’s laws, remember? Hunt or be hunted.”

“Kill or be killed,” said Zeb.

Their ominous laughter made my hands curl in on themselves. I held my daughter against my side as if my body were capable of absorbing hers.

If only we weren’t outnumbered...

“Duke’s right.” Ox sipped his beer. “Out here, there’s nothing to stop us from taking what we want. No cops, no witnesses.”

“I wouldn’t say that,” I said. “There are over two thousand campsites scattered across the park. Scream loud enough, someone will hear you.”

“Scattered being the operative word,” Duke said. “With that many campsites, how would you even begin to pinpoint the sound?”

“I thinkDaddywants to get rid of us.” Zeb leaned back against the log and crossed his legs at the ankles. The fucker was making himself comfortable.

“Don’t be silly,” Duke said, the challenge clear in his gaze. “We just got here. Toss another log on the fire. Let’s swap stories. Erik, you go first.”

I swallowed my aggressive response. “Fine. What do you want to hear?”

“Tell us about your first kiss,” Zeb said, his tone wistful.

“Fuck that,” said Duke. “Tell us about the first time you nutted in a bitch’s mouth.”

Willow gasped. Neither of us liked where this was going.

“That’s not appropriate,” I said.

“I think Willow should tell us about the first time she sucked a cock.” Ox dragged the tip of his meaty finger up Willow’s calf.

She jerked her leg away from him.

“Don’t fucking touch her,” I barked before I could temper my response.

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