Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
ANNA
I’m sitting in the center of Madi’s couch with her to my right, holding my hand. Gabe is standing next to her, and Luke’s standing to my left. All four of us stare at the basic cardboard box on the coffee table with a post office sticker with no return address, somehow.
Only this address and my name.
How the hell did they trace me to Madi and Gabe’s?
“Babe, you’re shaking,” Madison says, reaching behind us for the decorative throw blanket and resting it over my shoulders.
I know the action is being done, but I don’t feel any of it. I’m numb, staring at a box, playing every possible scenario of what’s inside.
“Gabe,” Luke speaks up. “Got latex gloves?”
“Good idea,” Gabe says, walking away.
“No one else touch it,” Luke instructs. “Just Gabe grabbed it from outside?”
“Yeah,” Madi responds. “He brought it in and set it down. The minute we saw whose name was on it, we left it alone.”
“Good,” Luke says firmly, arms crossed.
His legs are only in my peripheral, set apart, strong, alert. I don’t have to look up to feel the protective energy vibrating off him.
“Here you go.” Gabe returns, passing Luke a pair of gloves.
Both put on a pair.
Luke kneels between the coffee table and couch right next to me. I’m still staring at the thing in front of us. That is, until I feel his stare. I finally break sight with the box and look to my left, where Luke’s face is closer than I thought.
His hand rests on my bouncing knee, grounding me. “Whatever this is,” he says, “we’ll handle it. Together. All of us. You’re not alone, Anna.”
My heart, that’s been racing violently against my sternum and ribs, slows slightly. I take a proper breath and exhale deeply.
“That’s it,” his deep rasp is so low, meant for only my ears. “Good girl.”
My eyes widen as a wave of warmth runs up my legs and spine. That…was unexpected. My heart hammers for a different reason now, but I ignore it and compose my reaction. The squeeze of his hand on my knee tells me he totally noticed my reaction to those two words.
“Gabe,” he says, releasing my eyes. “I’m gonna open it. I want you on standby.” They stare at each other, having a silent conversation that goes right over my head.
Gabe nods.
Luke’s attention is back on me. “Would you listen and keep your eyes closed if I asked?”
I raise my brow.
He grunts. “Didn’t think so.”
Madison coughs to cover up her laugh. I squeeze her hand, and she returns the gesture while I hold my breath as Luke carefully uses the small knife from his pocket switchblade to lift the flaps.
Please don’t be a head. Or a dead animal. Or body part. Or blood of any kind.
The minute it’s opened, we all stare, the room grows still and thick with tension. On top are countless photos.
Of my apartment, wrecked.
My car’s seats, ripped into with a knife.
Luke removes picture after picture, setting them aside on the coffee table. Then his hand stills, holding an image of my parents. The photographer is outside their Connecticut backyard, and my parents, through their sliding glass door, are sitting in the family room together.
My heart lodges in my throat as I fight the urge to scream and sob. I cover my mouth, fighting emotion. Madison’s hold on my hand grows tighter. I feel eyes on me, but I can’t look away. The one under the current picture now has me in a chokehold.
“Luke,” I whisper under my hand.
It’s me. Outside Luke’s cabin, sitting on his porch with coffee.
Tears I can’t hold back any longer start overflowing, one after the other.
“Oh, God,” I whisper, choking back the sob as I let Madi’s hand go and stand.
“I have to leave.” I start pacing the back of the couch.
“They know I’m here. They know where Luke’s place is.
” I cover my face, raking my fingers into my hair.
“How the hell did they find me? I haven’t even used my phone to call anyone.
I’ve only texted. Can they trace that? Is that a thing? ”
I face the room, panic welling up, aching in my chest. I can’t breathe.
Luke stands abruptly, rips off the gloves, tossing them on the floor, and advances toward me.
“I don’t want anyone else to get hurt,” I cry, shaking my head as he gets closer.
Without a word, Luke pulls me into his arms and holds me tight. I grip his flannel and release the storm that’s been brewing in my gut. His hand digs into the back of my head, gripping my hair. The pressure is just right to ground me, remind me where I am.
I dig my face into his chest.
Luke’s lips press into my ear. “Breathe, Brown Eyes, I got you,” he says quietly.
Never has he called me anything but my name before. The endearment slows my heart rate.
“I swear to you, no one will touch you,” he fiercely promises, his voice still low, only for me to hear.
“What about you, Madi, Gabe, my parents?” I whimper into his shirt.
His arms squeeze my frame. “I will do everything in my power not to let anything happen to anyone you care about. But in order to do my job, I need you to be steady. Stay strong for me, Brown Eyes. Can you do that?”
I release my hold on his shirt and slowly reach around and embrace him. I tip my head up to rest it under his neck and exhale.
“That’s my girl,” he rasps. “So strong. And you don’t have to be strong alone. We got you.”
I believe him.
The people in this room have my back. I’m not alone.
“There’s a letter inside,” Madison says.
I pull away, but Luke keeps his arm around my back, and we face Madi and Gabe, who holds it up with gloves.
Luke gives him a nod.
“Hide all you want. Keep your mouth shut. Wait for instructions. We’re watching,” Gabe reads, his face turning to stone, glaring at the paper with printed words.
“Creek Lodge,” Luke says.
Gabe looks up, glaring at Luke. Again with the silent man conversation.
“I recently stocked it two weeks ago,” Gabe finally says.
“Creek Lodge?” Madison asks.
“Old cabin, at the far edge of the northeast property. Miles away. Not registered. You have to know it’s there at all to find it,” Gabe answers.
“Harold took me there once. He offered it as an escape,” Luke tells the room. “We’re gonna wait for nightfall. Get our stuff, and I’m taking the horses up there. Less tracks.”
“Wait, what?” I ask, trying to follow.
“Take the radio. No cell service,” Gabe says.
“Exactly,” Luke replies, releasing me and walking toward the box. “Put this away. Evidence.”
“You know where,” Gabe says.
“I’m calling my contact,” Madison starts.
“No, Madi. What if they know you’re digging? No more. Do not put yourselves in further danger.”
Madison rounds the couch and takes my hands.
“Anna, babe. You know me, one. And two, my contact is monitoring everything. They don’t know.
These fuckers have messed with the wrong one.
Trust me. I’m close to being able to make our move and set you free of this.
Stick with Luke. He will keep you safe. And I’ve got Gabe. No one’s coming through him.”
“You’re damned right about that,” he grumbles, taking the box away.
“We’re all gonna eat and get a plan in order until night hits. Then you and Luke head out. Okay?” she asks.
Closing my eyes, I steady my breathing. I look around the room. Luke’s green eyes pierce through the fear, offering calming shores.
“Okay,” I agree.
Horses saddled, packed, and us each with backpacks, we ride into the dense, dark forest. Only Luke’s sense of direction leads the horses, as I can’t see shit out here.
Even the moon can’t break through the tree cover.
Thankfully, feeling the strong muscles of Tuck under me is second nature.
I let him lead as he follows Luke with Buttercup.
I use that ride to quiet the ruminating fears and what-ifs.
We’ve been riding for about forty minutes when a dark silhouette appears ahead.
The evening sounds are the only backdrop.
Neither of us has uttered a word since we started riding.
If Luke’s anything like my dad, I know he values the quiet, especially when he needs to focus and problem-solve.
For me, the quiet, with certain people, is recharging.
Interestingly enough, I felt that instant connection when I met Luke.
The horses huff and guide us forward, passing a small hedge, and that’s when the cabin materializes.
Small, rustic, but not falling apart. Almost built into the side of the mountain, ivy and green vines embrace the roof and sides. It’s almost fairybook-like.
Luke dismounts Buttercup and walks over to me.
I follow suit and guide Tuck by the reins to where Luke pulls open a creaking wooden gate that leads to a hidden stable.
We bring the horses in and get them settled, removing the packs before leaving them to feed and hydrate.
Luke carries both packs, and we walk over to the cabin’s front door.
“Stay here,” he says quietly.
First words he’s uttered since we left his place.
I nod, not having the energy for anything more. My body aches. My head is heavy with thoughts and worry. My eyes fight to stay open. Exhaustion like never before wraps around like energy-sucking tentacles.
Luke returns, and a light golden glow sets behind him inside the cabin. He removes the backpack I’m carrying. I barely react. Taking my hand, Luke guides me inside and straight to a room. I try to look around, but my neck won’t even listen to that simple command.
Everything is a blur. Luke sitting me at the edge of a bed. Him removing my boots and socks. My jacket. Lying me on the mattress, covering me, and unpacking some small items fom a backpack.
My head sinks into the pillow, and my eyes take that as a sign to close.
Darkness drifts into my subconscious, and all I can think is…please, let me dream about something sweet for a change.