Page 44 of Prey

It hadn’t been that long since he had taken me here, but the thought of leaving this cabin somehow left me feeling ill.

I didn’t know what to make of that, so I stepped over the threshold into the bright sunshine.

I blinked against the intrusion of light and walked over to his truck.

He opened the door and lifted me up, belting me in. I held my breath when I felt his forearm touch my nipple, and he shot me an amused smile before closing the door behind him and making his way to the driver’s seat.

Then we were off.

I couldn’t tell where we were, just in the mountains somewhere. It was a bumpy ride going down, and it did nothing to help my sore muscles.

I barely did anything, but it felt like I had put my body through the wringer.

Roman looked over at me, but he didn’t say anything. After a moment, he reached over and grabbed my hand, squeezing it.

I shouldn’t feel calmed by this, but I did.

There were a lot of things I shouldn’t think, be, or feel when it came to Roman Stone, but I did.

I didn’t know how to turn these things off.

He never let go of my hand the entire time we went down the mountain.

I tried to look around for anything that was familiar, but there was nothing. Something told me we were far away from home.

It took about forty-five minutes to get down, and another fifteen to come to a small local store. And I finally saw the sign.

I looked at him in surprise when he pulled the truck into the parking lot. “We’re in Big Bear Lake?”

He nodded, his eyes focused out the window.

I tugged on his arms until he looked at me. “That's more than seven hours away from Sacramento!”

“I know that,” he said dryly.

“Why are we all the way out here?”

“I have a cabin here that no one knows about, not even your dad.”

I didn't have a response to that, so I said nothing. He chucked my chin affectionately.

“Close your mouth, sweetheart, before I think of something creative to keep it occupied.”

My mouth snapped shut, and he let out a light chuckle. “That’s disappointing. I was hoping you wouldn’t obey this time.”

I gasped in outrage at the use of his wordobeyas he opened the door and climbed out of the truck.

He made it to my side moments later, opening my door and unbuckling the belt.

He hauled me out of the truck and set me down. My legs shook from being in the car for so long, and my butt was numb.

I glared at him but was thankful he was holding me up.

The bastard just winked at me before leading us to the doors of the small grocery store.

“Remember,” he said quietly. “You do as I say when I say it. You don’t talk to anyone, and you don’t draw attention to yourself.”

I could only nod.

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