Chapter 29
twenty-nine
. . .
Felix
“Earth to Felix,” Jim says.
I look up, and both he and Eden are staring at me, but I don’t have a clue what they said. My mind is still in bed with Eden, replaying the multiple rounds of sex we’ve had.
“What’s going on? You have this weird goofy grin,” he says.
Eden chokes on her coffee before laughing.
“Nothing about me is goofy, thank you very fucking much,” I say, pretending to be angry with Eden.
She just laughs harder, and fuck, it’s good to hear that sound. I make her laugh. I make her feel good. She’s mine.
“I’m focused now. What did you ask?”
Jim looks between Eden and me, and if he knows what went on in his spare room last night, he doesn’t let on.
“Do you want to head out for the snowmobile ride after breakfast?”
I look outside, and it’s a bright, clear day.
“Yeah, that works.”
Jim gathers our empty plates before walking into the kitchen.
“You remember where all the extra snow gear is?”
“Yup,” I say, standing and holding my hand out for Eden.
I’m a gentleman totally born in the wrong era.
With her hand in mine, I lead her over to the large closet that holds all the winter clothing and hunting equipment. Everything from fishing rods and knives to gloves, jackets, helmets, and winter boots.
Once upon a time, Dad and Mum brought me up here to visit for a week or two. It was the only time I was assured that my father wouldn’t drink heavily and I wouldn’t end up punished or hit for some reason. It was the only time of the year when things were normal in the Blackwood home.
“Here, try these on.”
I hold out the snowmobile pants while digging for the matching jacket.
“What do you think,” Eden asks, and I turn and smile.
Grabbing her by the hips, I pull her into me.
“You look fucking sexy,” I say, kissing her hard and fast, and wishing we had the cabin to ourselves.
After fucking her last night and first thing this morning, being buried in her is all I can think about.
Grudgingly, I break the kiss and press my forehead to hers.
“Here, I found the jacket,” I say, handing her the black and yellow jacket that looks a bit like a bee.
Eden shrugs it on and smiles.
“Wow, this is hot.”
“Trust me, you’ll be happy once we get outside and are moving at eighty into a headwind.”
I quickly find boots, a helmet, and massive mitts that will fit over her cast. She looks like a kid wearing her father’s clothes. I find a clean balaclava just as I hear the roar of the sleds starting up outside.
“Go ahead, I’ve got to find mine.”
“Okay.”
The sound of Eden’s snow pants swooshing as she walks away makes me grin. I find my gear in a wooden chest, and as I grab my jacket, I spot my old hunting equipment.
I forgot all about the massive hunting knife with the bone handle.
It’s the only gift my father ever bought me.
I slip the blade from the leather case, and it’s still just as sharp.
It glints in the dim light as I twirl it around before sliding the knife back into the leather and tossing it into the chest.
I’m pulling on my snow pants when my phone vibrates.
Probably Matt with a progress report. I take it out of my pocket and see a movement notification from Eden’s house.
What the fuck?
Clicking on the feed, my teeth grind together.
Kyle walks in the front door like he owns the place.
Does that fucker have a key? I don’t have the volume on, but he’s clearly calling out for Eden.
He wanders around the living room, then heads for the stairs, so I switch over to the cameras on the second floor.
He stops and looks down the hall toward her parents’ door and then calls out again.
Cut the act, asshole. She’s clearly not home, so what are you still doing there?
I tell the system to start recording. I don’t trust this fucking weasel. He thinks he is so slick, playing the best friend card. He has no idea who he is dealing with. Kyle thinks he’s a predator, but he’s only prey.
Kyle walks into Eden’s room, and the rage brewing in my chest is a beautiful and deadly creature. He runs his hands over her desk, opens her closet, and then moves over to the dresser. One at a time, Kyle opens drawers until he finds her underwear, then he pulls out a cute white lacey pair.
“You’ll put that back if you know what’s good for you,” I growl.
He doesn’t. Instead, the fucking piece of shit walks over to her bed, unzips his pants, lies down, and starts jerking off.
My hand clenches the phone tighter as the burning desire to remove him from Eden’s life once and for all courses through my veins.
This is why she needs me. There are predators around every turn. Eden is mine and it’s my duty to keep her safe.
I set the phone down and continue getting ready for my day with Eden, waiting until he finishes.
Predictably, he rolls the underwear and puts them in his jeans pocket.
Then he smooths the bed before leaving again like he hasn’t just defiled her room.
I stop the recording and take a moment to compose myself.
Eden is never sleeping in that bed again.
I’ll make sure of it.
And then…then I’ll take care of Kyle, the so-called best friend.
“Felix, are you coming?” Eden calls out, her voice completely muffled.
I step out of the closet and smile. She looks adorable in the bright yellow-and-black snowmobile suit with matching helmet. She’s completely covered, and I can only see her eyes.
“Miss me already?”
“Yes, and I’m melting in this.”
I pull on my black-and-blue helmet and walk outside with her. I grab her hand, and she looks up at me.
Yelling so she can hear me, I say, “If at any point this is too much for you, let me know. We won’t go far, and I already told Jim to stick to the groomed trails. The sled vibrates, and there are bumps and drifts all over the place. Okay?”
Her eyes scrunch up as she smiles.
“Okay.”
We head to the touring sled with a full second seat, and I help Eden get settled before I sit down.
“Ready,” I yell.
“Yes.” Comes the faint reply.
Giving Jim the thumbs up, we’re off. Eden squeals behind me as the sled plows forward through the freshly fallen snow. She hangs onto my waist as her thighs grip me tight, and even with Kyle trying to ruin my mood, this is one of the greatest days of my life.
the next day
“I’m going to finish packing my stuff,” I say, rising from the kitchen table and kissing Eden on the forehead.
Jim watches but doesn’t say anything as he finishes his toast with jam.
“Do you want help,” Eden asks, already starting to stand.
I stop her with a gentle squeeze on her shoulder.
“No, I’m good, just sit and relax.”
The ride yesterday was glorious, but Eden wanted to stay out longer than I planned. We were out until close to dinner time. By then she was sore everywhere, and even after the hot shower she was limping around the cottage as she favored her side.
“I can’t thank you enough for your hospitality,” Eden says as I turn the corner.
“Come back anytime,” I hear him say before I walk into the place that will be marked on my heart forever.
This is where Eden gave herself to me. I smile as I stuff everything into our two bags and carry them down the hall.
I stop when I hear Jim’s hushed tone from the kitchen.
“Listen, Eden…you seem like a really sweet person, and I feel like I need to warn you that Felix has…issues.”
“Issues? What kind of issues?”
“My brother was a cruel man and an even worse father. All I’m saying is be careful.”
White-hot rage ripples through me. I set my backpack down and leave it before quietly stepping out from around the corner.
Whatever Uncle Jim planned to say next is lost. He snaps his mouth shut, and I look between them, confused, hiding that I heard Jim trying to ruin my life.
They both turn and look at me.
“What? Why are you staring at me like that?”
“No reason. I was just telling Eden that you two are welcome back anytime,” Jim lies.
“Thanks, Uncle Jim. You’re the only blood relative I have left, and it means so much to have your support. This place has always felt more like home, and I hope one day to buy it off you and keep it in the family.”
My voice cracks a little for Eden’s benefit, and I give her a small smile.
She smiles back.
“Well, we better get going,” I say.
Eden stands up and hugs Jim goodbye before following me out to the car.
“Go ahead and get in,” I tell Eden while I load her bag into the trunk.
Eden gets in the front seat, then I climb in to start the car.
We wave to Jim as I turn around and we start down the driveway.
I watch in the rearview until he goes inside, then I hit the brakes.
Eden looks over at me.
“Shit…I’m an idiot. I left my backpack.” Leaning over, I kiss her on the cheek. “Find us something good to butcher with our singing, and I’ll be right back.”
She chuckles. “For the record, I don’t butcher.”
“Hmm, I beg to differ,” I tease and she swats my arm playfully.
I climb out and close the door, keeping the warmth inside so Eden doesn’t get cold.
Jim is nowhere in sight when I slip back into the cottage as silent as a shadow. There’s a slight draft, which means he’s probably out back grabbing an armful of wood for the fireplace.
I slink over to the storage closet, open the chest, and grab my hunting knife.
People really need to mind their own business and stay out of my relationship.
I’m waiting for him when Jim reaches the threshold. His arms are loaded with wood, and he stops dead.
“Felix…wha—”
He realizes his error far too late. I strike fast, my arm raising and coming down on an angle in a wide sweeping arc. The blade designed to cut through skin, muscle, and bone catches him in the cheek before severing part of his jaw.
He drops the wood and stumbles back, eyes wide with shock.
I follow, stepping over the fallen wood. Before he can try to scream with what’s left of his mouth, my arm comes back the other way, slicing open his throat and severing the jugular vein running up the side of his neck. I kick him in the chest, sending him flying backward.
Jim lands in a heap, gurgling and coughing blood onto the snow. Terror shines back at me from his eyes.
I suck in a deep breath, my body trembling from the adrenaline coursing through my body.
Our eyes meet, and I snarl.
“This is a real shame, Uncle Jim. I love you, but I can’t allow anyone to twist Eden’s thoughts against me. She is my whole heart. I wish you’d just…been quiet and let us be happy.”
He reaches for me with a bloody hand, but I step away.
“I guess you’ll be quiet now.”
Turning around, I go back inside. I close and lock the backdoor, then walk into the kitchen to wash the knife and my hands. Sheathing the blade, I stuff it in the backpack I left in the hall and give the place one final look. I really wanted to keep it in the family.
Why does everyone ruin my plans?
Pulling on my gloves, I set the lock and walk out the front door with a smile on my face. My pack gets tossed in the trunk with Eden’s, and I slip into the front seat.
“Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, Jim asked if we want to come back in the summer to go camping.” Eden smiles wide. “I told him that’s a great idea,” I say, putting the car in drive.
“That sounds amazing. This place will be so pretty in the summer.”
I’ll make sure to come up in the spring and dispose of whatever is left of Jim’s body.
“Did you find us music?”
I glance in the rearview, watching the cottage disappear.
I don’t need any family. I only need Eden.