7. Ava
Chapter Seven
AVA
I’m pressed against the door of the cabin as Silas kicks it. He’s screaming something incoherent, but I bet it involves killing me.
When I got in the car, he held the pistol to my head and told me to drive. I shoved my body over to the door, thinking the pistol was empty, before he smugly informed me he’d loaded it. I had no choice but to drive up the mountain road.
Silas was disgustingly pleased with himself. He said he knew I’d never give him the money back when he saw me at the bar. And the easiest solution was to take me somewhere quiet and make me disappear. Then he’d find Mom and force her to come with him.
I’m strangely calm as I drive, listening to him rant. There’s no way I’m going down without a fight. A herd of deer runs across the road and I brake sharply. Silas rolls down his window and starts ranting at the deer to get off the road, spit flying from his mouth.
As the deer scatter, an old cabin not far from the road comes into view. I press my foot on the gas, then swing the wheel as far as I can to the left, sending us careering into a ditch by the side of the road. The pistol flies out of Silas’s hands and out the window. The car is at a crazy angle on its side. Silas is lying still, pressed against the door.
I scrabble for my door just as he starts to move, jumping out of the car and running as fast as I can to the cabin.
Silas is shouting at me as I close the front door, bolting it behind me. He bangs on the door and kicks it over and over. And then everything goes quiet. I wait, trying to second-guess him. Silas never gives up. Maybe he’s gone to look for the pistol?
I didn’t have time to grab my bag, so I can’t call for help. I’m trapped here with Silas lurking somewhere outside. I put my head in my hands, my back to the door. My stepfather is trying to kill me. The guy I just had the best night of my life with is some kind of stalker. I don’t think my luck could get any worse.
My body sags, all the strength leaving my bones, and I slide my back down the door to sit on the floor. I close my eyes, exhausted, and sit there for what seems like hours. Someone close by must be burning something.
My eyes flick open. There’s a cloud of gray smoke in the air. Inside the cabin.
I leap to my feet and peek out of the shuttered window.
Silas is standing twenty feet from the property, opposite the door. Smoke is rising from the logs stacked close to the house.
“You have to come out now, girl.” His voice has that smug tone again.
I drop down to the floor. There’s no way out apart from the front door. Tears sting my eyes. The room’s hot now, filled with smoke. He’s left me no choice.
A wailing noise in the distance. I cough, pulling my shirt up above my mouth. There’s an orange glow from the wall where Silas started the fire.
That’s a siren. It has to be the fire truck. I need to hold on until they get here but I’m so weak that I can’t get up. Smoke fills the air and I’m finding it hard to inhale.
Shouts outside. I want to unbolt the door, but my vision is hazy. I can’t move.
Thudding.
The door is kicked repeatedly by big boots. Sunlight pierces the thick gray smoke. Taylan’s face, streaked with soot, above me.
I’m in his arms.
“You’re safe now, my love.”
I wake up in a hospital bed, a machine beeping steadily next to me. My throat is dry and my muscles are sore. I try to take a deep breath in and then start coughing.
Mom strokes my face and helps me drink some water.
“Hey there, hon. How are you feeling?”
“Like I’ve been hit by a truck. But okay otherwise.” I try to sit up. “Where’s Silas?”
“They got him, hon. He’s not going to be a problem for us from now on. Taylan’s been helping the sheriff. Not only because of the kidnap and arson, but Silas defrauded a bunch of companies. He’ll be in jail for a long, long time.” She smiles and pats my hand.
“You’ve met Taylan?” I ask.
“I have. He’s right outside with Mila and Brock. Wanted to be here when you woke up. He carried you out of that burning cabin, risked his life. He’s a hero. Let me send him in.” She stands and walks to the door.
I close my eyes. Mom’s footsteps fade and are replaced by the sound of heavy boots.
“Hi, gorgeous. I brought you some books to read while you recuperate.” Taylan is standing by the bed. His face is still streaked with soot and his hair is rumpled.
“Thanks for rescuing me. But I haven’t forgiven you for stalking me. Yet .” I gaze up at him and my heart starts to beat faster. The heart monitor beeps more insistently.
He grins at me. “I don’t want to get you too excited. We could have this conversation another time.”
I reach for his hand. “No! Tell me what you wanted to say this morning.”
He sits on the chair by the bed, stroking my knuckles with his thumb. “I love you, Ava.”
A warm glow rises in me. “That’s what you wanted to say? That doesn’t excuse the stalking, you know.”
He shakes his head. “The Chief asked me to look into what happened to your family when he started dating Mila. Just like me, he wanted to keep you all safe. As soon as I saw you, I knew. We were meant to be together. I just had to wait for the right moment to talk to you. Unfortunately, I picked the wrong one.”
“You really did…” I can’t help my lips quirking upwards.
“Once I found out what a threat Silas was, I knew I had to keep you safe. And I wanted to gather enough information about him to prove what a crook he was. That took time. But I’ve given the sheriff plenty of evidence now. Silas is going to rot in jail. You can enjoy your life in Snowflake. With me.”
“You sound pretty confident.”
“I am. I love you. And I’m going to make sure you don’t have to look over your shoulder. You’re safe now. Let me prove it.” He reaches up and smoothes some hair away from my face.
My resolve weakens. “You can start by kissing me.”
“My pleasure.” His lips reach mine and the heart monitor starts freaking out.
The world fades away and it’s just us. I don’t have to worry anymore.
He’s by my side now.
Everything’s okay.