Page 31 of Blackwood

Something white flitted through the trees, and I stilled, trying to make it out. I could only see bits and pieces, but I knew it was the woman running for her life. What was chasing her? A chill rushed through me as I wondered for a moment if she was the ghost of Lillian. I shook the thought away. This woman was real, the crunching sound of her feet on the leaves and branches just as certain as my own steps.

I started forward again, running across the uneven terrain and ignoring the constant pain that raced up my leg. Getting to her, saving her, was all I could think about. She tracked to my right, and I changed my direction so I could intercept her.

I picked up my pace as her ghostly form grew closer. What was she doing out here in the cold?

Movement to my left caught me off guard. A dark shape barreled through the trees at a hellish pace.

I gasped as the dark shape collided with her. Her shriek was like a blade to my gut, and I ran as hard as I could.

Keeping the knife out to my side, I finally grew close enough to see the white dress again. I blinked hard as I approached and slowed my steps. A man sat on top of her and pinned her wrists to the rotting leaves. I couldn’t mistake the long hair, the strong build.

Garrett Blackwood.

Chapter Fourteen

Garrett’s growl, as feralas any animal’s, rippled through the dark wood. I slipped behind the nearest tree and tried to plot my next move. I’d have to get the drop on him somehow. Maybe some sort of a distraction? I leaned down and grabbed a pine cone.

“Garrett, please—” The woman was out of breath.

“Shut the fuck up.” He slapped her, the sound like a shot. I clutched the pine cone and waited for my chance to lob it far enough to get his attention away from the woman.

“Yes, sir.” She quieted except for her large inhales and shaking exhales.

“I told you not to come tonight.” His voice was low, angry. “I fuckingtoldyou.”

I cocked my head, not sure if I was hearing correctly.

“I know, sir. But I wanted to see you. I needed you.”

“No, Melinda. You don’tneedme. You just want what I can give you. I told you no, and you disobeyed me to try to force my hand.” He released one of her wrists and ran a hand through his wild hair. “I don’t work that way. You know I don’t.”

“I want to play.” Her voice turned into a whine. “I need you to hurt me. I’ve been very bad. Touching myself at work while thinking about you.”

“No.”

She huffed out a breath and tried a different tack. “I disobeyed you tonight,sir. You should punish me.”

“You’re right.” He leaned down until his face was only inches from hers. “Leave, and don’t come back.”

“What?” Panic turned her voice into a shrill whisper. “No. I’m sorry. I’ll be good. I promise. Please—”

“When we started this, we laid down our rules. Remember that?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Have I ever violated one of your rules, ever broken a hard limit?”

She whimpered. I wasn’t close enough to see if there were tears, but I sensed them in her tone. “No.”

“You just broke one of mine, and you know it. That’s a violation of my trust. I can’t allow it.” He shook his head, and his tone softened. “You have to go, Melinda. You and I are through.”

“No!” She slapped him with a vehemence that shocked me.

He leaned back and rose, then offered her a hand up. She didn’t take it, instead scrambling to her feet. Melinda, whoever she was, was tall and thin, her body like that of a ghostly dancer. Her blonde hair flowed around her heart-shaped face as she advanced on Garrett. She slapped him again and beat on his chest, but he stood stoic, refusing to fight back or even speak.

After she exhausted her rage, she wept and leaned into him. “I’m sorry. Please. I’m sorry. Don’t do this.”

“Just go.”

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