Page 28 of Colton
I turn to head back to the cabin, my mind racing with plans and possibilities. I’ll need to be smart, cunning, and ruthless. Xavier won’t go down easily, and I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to end him. I’ll use Colton’s feelings for me, his need to protect me, to get close enough to strike. It’s a dangerous game I’m playing, but I’ve never been one to shy away from a challenge.
As I approach the cabin, I see Colton’s silhouette in the window, his form outlined by the fire’s glow. He’s waiting for me, watching for me, and for a moment, my strength wavers. But then I remember Emilia’s vacant eyes, the fear that’s been my constant companion since I entered Xavier’s world, and the flicker of doubt is extinguished.
I push open the door and step back into the warmth, a small smile playing on my lips. Colton turns to face me, his expression a mix of relief and concern. I meet his gaze, letting him see the strength and determination that burns within me.
“I’m ready,” I say, my voice steady and sure. “We need to plan our next move.”
And as I walk toward him, I know that I’m not just talking about escaping Xavier’s men. I’m talking about facing the darkness head-on. I will bring Xavier to his knees. And if Colton gets in my way, well then, he’ll just have to be sacrificed too.
Because when it comes down to it, this is my fight. My revenge. And I’ll do whatever it takes to see it through to the end.
Chapter 13
Luella
“Ifound us some blankets.” Colton drags a hand through his ink black hair, the glow from the fire highlighting his incredible bone structure. He’s beautiful, and my heart leaps every time he looks at me, but I can’t let myself get distracted. It would be so easy to lose myself to Colton for one night, to be a normal girl who isn’t trying to take down a perverted puppet master or avenge her murdered sister. To just let Colton’s touch bring me the pleasure I can’t ever remember having. His eyes meet mine, his brow lifting as though he can read my mind. I flush and take the blankets from his arms, glancing around.
“There’s nowhere to sleep,” I point out, but he gives me a grin that tells me there is, although I’m not going to like it.
“It’s in there…” He nods to the floor, and I follow his gaze, seeing nothing. Just wooden floorboards. “Under the trapdoor.”
Trapdoor?
I squint and look closer, my mouth gaping when I see the tiny grooves outlining the square that must lead to somewhere else, somewhere below us.
“It’s got a basement level?”
Colton yawns and nods. “There's a bed down there, but there’s no blankets. It’s fucking freezing too, but if you want to sleep, I’ll keep watch up here.” He glances around before sinking to the ground, resting his head against the stone wall. His grey shirt rides up as he stretches, and I have to look away when his abs taunt me. “There could be rats.”
Rats?
I glance back at the trapdoor, not liking the thought of sleeping down thereat all.
“Come here,” Colton murmurs, outstretching his hand.
My body moves on its own accord until I’m standing in front of him, staring down at his perfect face. The shadows from the fire dance against his skin and for a second, his eyes look black, like a bottomless ocean. His fingers reach up and circle my wrist, tugging me so I fall onto my knees, the blankets falling from my hands onto his lap.
“Oof!” I glare at him as he grabs my other wrist, tugging me close to his face so he can drag his nose over my cheek. I shiver, and he moves his lips to my throat, his tongue flickering against my pulse.
“Isn’t that better?” he murmurs, rolling his lips against the softness of my throat.
I close my eyes and nod, trying—but failing—to resist his touch. For all I know, this man could be a fucking monster, but even so, he saved me when I didn’t even know I needed it. If it wasn’t for Colton, I could have been ambushed and destroyed by his fucking father. I curse myself for not preparing better.
“Mary, let me see you,” Colton begs, his hands stroking the small of my back before moving to my front. His fingers brush my nipples, and a low moan leaves his lips. “Come on, Mary.”
His voice aches with longing, and I wonder if I’m fucking crazy for considering this, but who cares anymore? I’m so fucking cold, even when we’re beside the fire. His finger strokesmy lower lip as he gazes at me. “Tell me who you are, if you can’t show me.”
I swallow and gaze into his eyes, trying desperately to work out if he’s worthy or not.
“I can’t,” I whisper, and he reaches up, dragging my mouth to his painfully.
“You can tell me anything and everything,” he reassures, his voice laced with frustration. “I am the only person who can protect you, Mary, and I can’t do that if I don’t know who you are.”
Our lips are centimeters away from one another, our breaths mingling in the cold air.
“What do you want to know?” I inquire, my voice wobbling. I swore I wouldn’t break, that I wouldn’t get distracted, but here I am, sitting on Colton’s lap like his favorite toy.
“Oh, everything,” Colton responds, stroking my back once again. “But we’ll start with your real name.”
