Page 11 of Pike
I turned back to the cabin with a heavy sigh. This was my home for the foreseeable future. The log cabin looked like it was right out of one of those postcards, made from real logs that gave it a rustic air while the inside was as modern as possible. The top floor held three bedrooms, one primary and two guest bedrooms with a connecting bathroom, while the main floor was simple with a living room and fireplace, a spacious eat-in kitchen, half bathroom, and a mudroom that led out to the deck.
It was cozy and picturesque and all that shit. It was a good safe house in a good location and as long as everyone did what I said, they would be fine.
I stepped inside the cabin expecting chaos of two females unpacking and settling into a new environment but what I found instead was peace. It was quiet inside except for the faint sound of something bubbling in the kitchen. I went there thinking I’d find Chloe, but the pot was set to simmer so I went in search of her, checking the doors and windows as I went.
They were all set to a sensor which would give me notice if they were opened and an alarm would sound if it was activated.
“Whatcha doin’, Mr. Pike?” Gemma’s voice sounded behind me, damn near making me jump out of my skin. I spun to face her and frowned.
“I’m checking out my surroundings. What are you doing, Miss Gemma?”
She held up a book with a colorful cover. “Reading a book. Have you seen Mandi?”
Who the fuck was Mandi? I frowned and looked around the living room, thinking maybe it was a pet or worse, an imaginary friend. “Who’s Mandi?”
“My doll. Miss Ash made it for me.”
Her doll. That my sister made for her. “I’ll go check the car,” I offered, which earned me a wide smile.
“Thank you so much.”
When I returned, she jumped to her feet and wrapped her arms around my legs before she took the doll. “Mandi, Mr. Pike saved you.” She took the doll and hugged her close. “Mandi says thank you too.”
“You both are welcome. Where’s your mom?”
She pointed to the top floor.
I turned, stopped, and then turned back to the little girl. “Don’t go outside without me or your mom, okay?”
The light in her green eyes dimmed but she gave a solemn nod. “Okay Mr. Pike, I won’t.”
“Good.” I nodded. “I need to talk to your mom.” I took the stairs two at a time, searching in the first room I came across, which held Gemma’s things. The connecting bathroom was empty and so was the other guest bedroom but when I stepped out into the hall, I found the closet door open and a pair of long, shapely legs peeking out. I turned to find her shoving bottles of water and energy bars into one closet. “What are you doing?”
She gasped and then let out a sharp scream loud enough to make my ears ring. She quickly jumped to her feet and spun to face me before slamming her head against one of the shelves. “Ouch.” She rubbed her head and glared hard at me. “I’m preparing,” she groaned confidently despite the waver in her voice.
“Preparing for what exactly?” The last thing I needed was to be stuck in the middle of nowhere with a headcase.
“Gemma needs to know she has a safe space if someone gets inside.”
“No one will,” I insisted because it was easier than focusing on the fear in her eyes.
“Well if they do, she needs to have a place just for her.” Her eyes were wide and hesitant. “If she has a plan ahead of time, she won’t be as scared.”
I looked inside the closet and frowned. “This won’t work.”
“Well it’s all we’ve got,” she shot back, annoyed.
“This is too small,” I grunted, grabbing her wrist and dragging her along behind me to the primary suite. “This closet is much bigger,” I said when we stopped in front of the closed double doors. “It’ll take longer for anyone to find itifthey make it inside, which they won’t. Gemma won’t be able to hear anything in here either.” If anyone had told me this was how I’d be spending my day, I would’ve told them to stop smoking crack.
Chloe was breathing heavy, and her skin had gone pale, but she nodded. “Thank you, Will, um Pike. Thanks.”
I gave one short nod. “I’ll stay with Gemma while you get this settled.” And then I walked off because it was easier to deal with Gemma than it was her mother, T-Bone’s warning about her years of trauma rang in my ears constantly. I knew Ashley’s death wasn’t her fault, not explicitly, but anger wasn’t rational and mine had decided that Chloe made the perfect target.
Just like every other man in her life,my conscience added unnecessarily.
Barely one day in and I was already softening. No fucking way.
I did something nice for the girl, not her mother.
