Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Cora
I can’t believe Vincent is letting me go with this woman to her home. He was backed into a corner by Navin and Orion. It felt so strange. Something is off. Everything is off.
The new man who joined us, Orion, is a god. I’m not very worldly, and I certainly haven’t had an opportunity to meet people in the last several years, but he makes me forget my name.
And that’s taking into consideration that I’ve barely looked at him. I can’t. I’m being as still, quiet, and agreeable as humanly possible out of fear that one slip-up on my part will cause Vincent to renege on his decision to let me leave his presence.
Vincent never lets me socialize with others. He doesn’t even let me come out of my room at home when someone stops by the homestead. In the past four years, I’ve rarely set eyes on anyone but Vincent. I live a very isolated life as his servant.
Without lifting my head, I’ve managed to glance at Orion several times, especially when Vincent wasn’t paying attention. Orion’s voice is smooth, strong, and deep. Every time he speaks, I feel like his words land on me and slide down my body like warm honey.
He has dark hair that’s longer on the top and flops haphazardly across his forehead. The sides are short, so the look is intentional and makes him appear younger than I suspect he is. The perfectly trimmed beard only adds to his appeal.
The man is broad and tall. Six-eight, I think.
I know he’s a lion shifter. All of the men living on this property are lion shifters, but this is my first time meeting any of them.
I’ve heard rumors. These men arrived and purchased this logging company after my mom died, after my life went to shit.
But I always press my ear to my bedroom door and do my best to listen in on every conversation Vincent has with his guests.
It’s the only way I have news from town or the world in general.
The lions are a hot conversation topic, so any mention of them gets my attention.
I couldn’t believe it when Vincent ordered me to go with him today.
He never lets me leave the homestead. He never lets me speak to other people.
He never lets me go anywhere. He never lets me interact with strangers.
And he sure as hell in a million years wouldn’t let me walk off with these people he doesn’t know.
What does he have up his sleeve? I don’t like it. I’m nervous.
Orion rubs his stomach. “A sandwich sounds like heaven right about now. Too bad I need to get over to the east grove of trees instead. I’ll drop the ladies off at the house for you two, though.”
He doesn’t hesitate. In fact, he’s already turning and walking quickly before Vincent can respond.
I hold my breath. There’s no way in hell Vincent is going to let me get in a truck with these strangers.
And yet, he grips my arm painfully, one more time, and growls at me. “Make a good impression. Understand?”
His voice is low, imperceptible. Except I hear him fine.
I hold my breath as I follow Brea and Orion toward a big black truck. It’s nearly new and has a back seat, but Brea takes my good hand and leads me around to the passenger side.
I’m far enough away from Vincent and well enough hidden by the truck that he must not notice soon enough that Brea helps me up into the cab in front of her and climbs in behind me, causing me to sit in the middle between her and Orion.
I don’t dare look out the driver’s window. I know if I do, I’ll find Vincent having a silent meltdown. And I don’t fully exhale until Orion has pulled the truck away from the logging site.
As soon as we’re out of sight, Orion turns to me and says, “Breathe, Little doll. He’s never going to hurt you again.”
His words are shocking. I don’t understand him. I jerk my head around to look out the back of the cab. I truly am out of Vincent’s sight, but that doesn’t mean shit. I can’t let my guard down. He’ll kill me. Perhaps literally.
I look down at my lap, confused and embarrassed. “I don’t know what you mean,” I mutter.
Brea gently touches my elbow. “How badly is your arm injured?” she asks softly.
I jerk my gaze toward her. “My arm?” How did she figure that out? Vincent will have me hanged if anyone discovers I’m injured.
Orion grips the steering wheel hard, the muscles in his forearm flexing. He’s wearing a flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up part way. There’s something mesmerizing about his wrists and huge hands.
He glances at me. “You don’t have to hide your injury from us, Little doll. We’re going to help you. I’m going to help you.”
That’s twice he’s called me Little doll. It’s so odd and sends shivers down my spine. His endearment is obviously just something he says flippantly. It doesn’t mean anything. And yet, I love it.
“I’m fine,” I whisper. I shouldn’t be talking to these people. If they tell Vincent I spoke to them…
Suddenly, I’m in a total panic. “This is a bad idea. I should go back.”
Orion pulls the truck over to the edge of the road and puts it in park before turning toward me.
For a moment, I think he’s going to honor my request, which makes my stomach plummet.
I never want to go back to Vincent, but obviously I have to at some point, and the longer I’m separated from him, the more he will accuse me of.
Orion carefully picks up my left hand—my uninjured arm. He shocks me when he brings my fingers to his face and rubs my knuckles over his bearded cheek.
My jaw drops as I stare directly at him, my eyes wide.
“There are a million things I want to say, Little doll, but please let me get us farther away before I say them.”
It feels so good to have someone touch me with such kindness. He looks me in the eyes like I matter, and his words are gentle.
I swallow hard, my heart racing as I glance over my shoulder again. “He’ll kill me.” I gasp. Why did I say that? I purse my lips and yank my hand out of Orion’s grip. “I didn’t mean that,” I say toward my lap.
“I think you did, Little doll,” Orion whispers. This time, he reaches up and strokes a finger down my cheek. He even tries to tuck my hair behind my ear. “And I’m bigger than him, Cora. He’s nothing but a bully. He will not hurt you ever again. You have my word.”
I start shaking. “You don’t understand,” I mumble.
“It’s you who doesn’t understand, Little doll. And I can’t blame you. You don’t know the ways of my people. The customs of lion shifters. I will fill you in, but first, we need to get away from here. Please, Little doll. Trust me.”
Panic sets in. Forgetting how much my wrist hurts, I fidget my fingers together on my lap, which makes me cringe.
“Let me see your arm, Cora.” His voice is a firm order, but it’s not filled with malice like Vincent’s demands always are.
“It’s fine,” I repeat, pressing it against my lap.
Brea hasn’t said a word next to us, but she has turned toward me, and she’s stroking my bicep. “Let Orion help, Cora.”
“No one can help me.”
“I can,” Orion promises.
Tears come to my eyes. I can’t stop them. They escape and run down my cheeks. When was the last time I cried in front of people? Probably not since my mom died four years ago. I was sixteen.
Orion cups my face and tips my head back. He uses his thumb to wipe away the tears. “You’re safe now. No one is ever going to hurt you again.” And then he puts the truck in drive and continues down the road.
He doesn’t really give me a choice, but how could I honestly say no? My life is nothing. I’m no one. I’d almost rather die than return to the homestead with Vincent, so I’ll take my chances.
We ride in silence, and Orion pulls the truck into a clearing between what looks like a dozen cabins. He shuts off the engine, opens his door, and jumps down. Before I can protest, he reaches in and lifts me by the hips, easing me out of his side of the truck.
As he sets me on my feet, Brea rounds to our side and looks at Orion. “I’ll just go home. Call if you need anything.” She gives my good hand a squeeze and smiles. “He’s right. You’re safe now.”
Orion’s brow is furrowed when he looks at Brea. “Text Navin so he knows you’re safely in the cabin.”
“I will.” She turns and skips toward one of the cabins.
Orion takes my left hand. “Come, Little doll.”
My head is spinning with this new development. I turn toward where Brea disappeared. “I’m supposed to help her make lunch.”
He chuckles. “Brea doesn’t cook, Little doll. She doesn’t even make sandwiches. That was a ruse. Come,” he encourages again, giving me a slight tug.
“But…” I can’t believe I’m letting him guide me toward another cabin. My heart is racing. I’m alone with a man. As soon as we get into his home, I’ll be even more isolated with him. Vincent will have a fit if he finds out.
“You said you were going to drop us off,” I point out.
“I lied.” He chuckles as he opens the door and ushers me inside. “I would have told him that I needed you to scrub the floors in my bathroom if that’s what it took to get him to let me take you away.”
My breath hitches. “Is that what you want? You want me to clean your bathroom?”
He shuts the door and leads me across this living space toward the kitchen area. “Fuck no. Never.” He turns on the overhead lights, making it really bright in here, and lifts me by the hips to set me on the island. “Did you need to go potty, Little doll?”
I swallow hard and shake my head. “No. I was just hoping for a break from him.”
Orion smiles. “Good girl. Let me look at your arm.” He takes it as he speaks. He’s in my space. Crowding me with his enormous body.
I lift my gaze to look at him more closely as he gently turns my arm over. He’s breathtaking. If it’s possible, he’s growing more attractive to me by the minute. Did I fall and crack my head on something?
Orion pushes my sleeve up and leans in closer, his hair falling in front of him. “I was going to ask if he shoved you to the ground, and you broke your arm bracing yourself, but I see his fingerprints on your tender skin. He fucking twisted it, didn’t he?”
I gasp. How does he know that?