Page 51 of Auctioned to the Lumberjacks (Auctioned)

Whoever Jack called is listening only.

"We can't wait. It has to be brought forward. Tomorrow. See what you can do."

The sound of someone inhaling deeply and then breathing out audibly is evident on the line.

The tension is clear.

"Leave it with me." The call is cut dead.

Jack sits still with his eyes closed. Eventually, he surveys us all and reaching one beefy arm around to grip the back of his neck, he fixes his gaze on me and growls.

"Give me Liam's number." Gripped by emotional and physical exhaustion, Skye and Shona move to the couch. Shona pulls out her phone to show Skye pictures of Hallie, but Jack snatches it and turns it off, then searches it for a tracking device, which he doesn't find.

"You can't leave," he says. "Not until this thing is resolved."

Shona nods, and Skye stands abruptly like she has suddenly realized what 'resolved' means.

This situation will come to a head, and the cards will fall.

We need to eat, so I rustle up some pasta with a ready-made sauce, hoping quick and filling will be enough. Skye helps me, running on a kind of dazed autopilot as she slowly grates cheese, staring into the middle distance.

Jack disappears for more hushed conversations. Now Shona is in our midst; we can't speak openly.

Afterward, Jack offers to sleep on the armchair with his gun resting across his body. I know his priority is making sure Shona doesn't flee into the night.

He wants her where he can keep his eyes on her.

Skye finds a blanket for Shona and hovers in the kitchen.

"I'll sleep with you tonight," West tells her, fixing himself some water and offering some to Skye.

Skye touches my arm, and I pull her into my chest, feeling her sink against me. Her tiny frame feels so fragile, like a bird that's fallen to the earth, all its delicate bones fractured.

"I'm sorry," she whispers. "Sorry that I’ve stolen your peace."

I stoop to kiss the top of her head. The scent of almonds and something sweet is familiar to me now, and she grips me tighter.

"I can't do this without you." Her voice is a whisper.

"You've got us, Skye. You're not alone. You'll never be alone."

Moments pass until we break away from each other. She pads slowly across the room to stand before Jack. He doesn't let go of the gun as she bends to kiss his lips. I imagine him turning away from such gentle affection, embarrassed to show this side of him in front of us, but he doesn't. His eyes drift closed as Skye's hand rests against the messy rasp of his beard. "Jack."

Just the soft murmur of his name communicates so much.

West carries his gun in one hand and moves to take Skye's hand in the other. He leads her from the room, and the creak of the wooden floorboards tracks their retreat. Eventually, the door to her room clicks shut.

Jack nods a simple goodnight, and I scan Shona, finding her staring at me with wide, fearful eyes.

She's not a foe, but she's also not a friend.

I'm wary that she might be a honey trap, and it's evident from the way Jack has his gun aimed just above her head that he feels the same.

I decide that I need to be armed, so I load the spare rifle from the gun cupboard. Back in my room, the chill in the air grips me tightly, and I grab an extra shirt, pulling it firmly around me.

I tug the curtain aside, staring into the inky blackness. For the first time in a long time, the expanse of the forest outside gives me shivers, like a cloak concealing a thousand pairs of eyes. The cabin, which has always felt like a haven, a home, now feels like the target of some deep-rooted hatred, revenge, and intent.

It is just a matter of time until the whole thing implodes.

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